[Radiotherapy of brain metastases (author's transl)]

Brain metastases of malignant extracranial tumors are usually multiple. Very often they require an effective palliative treatment. Radiotherapy of the entire cranium produces improvement of the neurological and psychic symptoms in 80-90% of the patients. The survival time cannot be extended by this treatment. There is no optimum radiation scheme. Indications for the surgical removal of brain metastases are tabulated.