The role of whole brain radiation therapy in the management of newly diagnosed brain metastases: a systematic review and evidence-based clinical practice guideline.

ABSTRACT:

Question

Should patients with newly-diagnosed metastatic brain tumors undergo open surgical resection versus whole brain radiation therapy (WBRT) and/or other treatment modalities such as radiosurgery, and in what clinical settings?

Target population

These recommendations apply to adults with a newly diagnosed single brain metastasis amenable to surgical resection.

Recommendations

Surgical resection plus WBRT versus surgical resection alone Level 1 Surgical resection followed by WBRT represents a superior treatment modality, in terms of improving tumor control at the original site of the metastasis and in the brain overall, when compared to surgical resection alone. Surgical resection plus WBRT versus SRS + or - WBRT Level 2 Surgical resection plus WBRT, versus stereo

SUBMITTER: Gaspar LE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2808517 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature