Current neurosurgical management of brain metastases

Semin Oncol. 2008 Apr;35(2):100-7. doi: 10.1053/j.seminoncol.2007.12.003.

Abstract

Brain metastases occur in a third of patients diagnosed with cancer; without any intervention, the prognosis is quite poor with a median survival of 1 month. Because of the constraints of the blood-brain barrier, chemotherapy is not effective and treatment options include surgery, whole brain radiation, or stereotactic radiation. This chapter is devoted to a review of the current management options for treatment of brain metastases.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Blood-Brain Barrier
  • Brain Neoplasms / secondary*
  • Brain Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Humans
  • Neurosurgical Procedures*
  • Prognosis
  • Radiosurgery*