Adaptive hypofractionated gamma knife radiosurgery in the acute management of brainstem metastases

摘要

Background:Intrinsic brainstem metastases are life-threatening neoplasms requiring rapid, effective intervention. Microsurgery is considered not feasible in most cases and systemic treatment seldom provides a successful outcome. In this context, radiation therapy remains the best option but adverse radiation effects (ARE) remain a major concern. A dose-adaptive gamma knife procedure coined as Rapid Rescue Radiosurgery (3R) offers the possibility to treat these lesions whilst reducing the risk of ARE evolvement. We report the results of 3R applied to a group of patients with brainstem metastases.