eISSN: 1897-4309
ISSN: 1428-2526
Contemporary Oncology/Współczesna Onkologia
Current issue Archive Manuscripts accepted About the journal Supplements Addendum Special Issues Editorial board Reviewers Abstracting and indexing Subscription Contact Instructions for authors Publication charge Ethical standards and procedures
Editorial System
Submit your Manuscript
SCImago Journal & Country Rank
5/2009
vol. 13
 
Share:
Share:
abstract:
Review paper

The role of radiotherapy in the treatment of brain metastases

Anna Niwińska
,
Katarzyna Pogoda

Współczesna Onkologia (2009) vol. 13; 5 (255–261)
Online publish date: 2009/11/18
View full text Get citation
 
Life extension in cancer patients and wide availability of neuroimaging modalities of the brain led to increase of the brain metastases detection. The most common sources of brain metastases are lung cancer (50%), breast cancer (15-20%), melanoma (10-15%), colon cancer and renal cancer; although in 10-15% of patients the primary site is unknown. The prognosis in patients with brain metastases depends on performance status, neurological symptoms, age, number of tumors in the brain, status of the primary tumor and extracranial metastases. Optimal local and systemic treatment have additional impact on prognosis. Currently suboptimal treatment of brain metastasis is observed. This approach deprives some patients longer survival. RPA RTOG classification is the most useful method of selection of patients for optimal treatment. In the present review, whole brain radiotherapy, stereotactic radiosurgery and prophylactic cranial irradiation are presented. The indica-tions and the efficacies of these treat-ment methods are discussed.
keywords:

brain metastases, whole brain radiotherapy, stereotactic radiosurgery, prophylactic cranial irradiation

Quick links
© 2024 Termedia Sp. z o.o.
Developed by Bentus.