MODERN APPROACHES OF RADIOTHERAPY OF METASTATIC BRAIN LESIONS

Abstract

The development of chemotherapy led to significant advances in cancer treatment, but its efficacy in treatment of brain metastases is insufficient. Fractionated whole brain irradiation has been the standard treatment for brain metastases, but provides limited local control and as a result, poor clinical results. Radiosurgery using "Gamma Knife" and "Cyber Knife" significantly changed the results of treatment of patients with metastatic brain lesions, which allowed to formulate new standards in the therapy of this group of patients. This review summarizes the current literature data on radiosurgical treatment of metastatic brain lesions with an emphasis on survival and quality of life, tumor response and potential combinations of treatments.