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Gamma knife radiosurgery for malignant tumors
1Department of Neurological Surgery, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan, Songpa-gu Seoul, Korea.
Journal of Korean Medical Science
|October 1, 1995
Summary
Gamma knife radiosurgery effectively treated brain metastases and recurrent malignant tumors, offering symptom palliation. While promising for some cancers, results for malignant gliomas require further investigation.
Area of Science:
- Neurosurgery
- Radiation Oncology
- Oncology
Background:
- Malignant tumors, including brain metastases and gliomas, pose significant treatment challenges.
- Conventional treatments like surgery and radiation therapy have limitations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of Gamma Knife radiosurgery for various malignant brain tumors.
- To assess its role in treating metastatic brain tumors, glioblastoma multiforme, and other rare malignancies.
Main Methods:
- Leksell Gamma Unit radiosurgery was used on 79 patients with malignant tumors between May 1990 and June 1994.
- Patients included those with metastatic brain tumors, glioblastoma multiforme, and other rare cancers.
- Doses ranged from 13-15 Gy for glioblastoma multiforme and 30 Gy median marginal dose for metastases.
Main Results:
- In metastatic brain tumors, 21 of 60 tumors disappeared and 32 decreased in size within 2-6 months.
- Median survival for metastatic tumor patients was 15 months.
- Rapid clinical improvement and tumor disappearance were observed in recurrent lymphomas and germ cell tumors, though some recurrence occurred.
Conclusions:
- Gamma Knife radiosurgery is a viable alternative to surgery and radiation for cerebral metastases.
- It offers rapid palliation for recurrent malignant tumors.
- Its role as an adjuvant therapy to delay local recurrence warrants further study, but results for malignant gliomas are inconclusive.