Brain metastases

Agnieszka Żyromska; Roman Makarewicz

Vol 3, No 1 (2004): Polish Palliative Medicine

Artykuły poglądowe

Published online: 2003-10-27

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Brain metastases

Agnieszka Żyromska, Roman Makarewicz

Advances in Palliative Medicine 2004;3(1):27-32.

Vol 3, No 1 (2004): Polish Palliative Medicine

Artykuły poglądowe

Published online: 2003-10-27

Abstract

Brain metastases are the most common intracranial tumors and the most frequent neurologic complication of disseminated cancer. Diagnosis and differentiation are based on imaging studies (computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging) and in doubtful cases — brain biopsy. Corticosteroids and, according to patient’s specific circumstances, radiotherapy (whole brain radiotherapy, radiosurgery, brachytherapy), surgery and chemotherapy are methods of treatment. The most effective therapeutical strategy in respect of median survival is surgical resection or radiosurgery in conjunction with whole brain radiotherapy. Bringing into treatment new cytotoxic drug - temozolomide - promises an improvement of the treatment efficacy in patients qualified to chemotherapy.