Seminars in Oncology
Volume 31, Issue 5 , Pages 693-701, October 2004

Management of brain metastases

  • Kristin A. Bradley

      Affiliations

    • Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA.
    • ,
  • Minesh P. Mehta

      Affiliations

    • Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA.
    • M.M. has received research funding or has served on the advisory board of or has participated in lectureship programs sponsored by one or more of the following: Schering-Plough, Pharmacyclics, Eli Lilly, GlaxoSmithKline, General Electric, TomoTherapy, Inc., Varian, ProCertus BioPharm, Inc. UltraVisual, Gammex RMI, Peregrine, AstraZeneca, Bristol-Myers Squibb, and ADAC.
    • Corresponding Author InformationAddress reprint requests to Minesh P. Mehta, MD, University of Wisconsin, Department of Human Oncology, 600 Highland Ave, K4/310-3684, Madison, WI 53792.

Patients with brain metastases have a generally poor outcome with a median survival after diagnosis of approximately 4 months. Management of brain metastases involves symptomatic treatment and definitive therapy, with the goal of stabilizing and improving neurologic function and survival. Traditional and novel therapies, including whole-brain radiation therapy (WBRT), surgery, radiosurgery, radiosensitizers, and chemotherapy are reviewed. The results of important clinical trials are discussed. In addition, current controversies in the management of brain metastases, such as the choice of surgery or radiosurgery for resectable lesions and the possible avoidance of (WBRT), are highlighted.

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PII: S0093-7754(04)00334-3

doi:10.1053/j.seminoncol.2004.07.012

Seminars in Oncology
Volume 31, Issue 5 , Pages 693-701, October 2004

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