Focal Intraoperative Radiotherapy of Brain Metastases

Brain metastases (BM) are the most prevalent tumors of the central nervous system (CNS), with a ratio of 10: 1 in relation to primary tumors. In prospective studies, whole-brain radiotherapy (WBRT) reduced the risk of local recurrence after resection of brain metastases from 46-59% to 10-28%. Furthermore, WBRT reduces the incidence of new metastases and death from disease, but no apparent improvement in overall survival (OS). Due to the potential neurocognitive effects associated with WBRT compared to isolated focal approach, several authors have suggested delaying WBRT and perform focal adjuvant RT after resection of isolated BM. In this context, intraoperative radiotherapy (IORT) in the cavity after resection of BM may be an appealing option. The primary objectives of this study are to evaluate local control (LC) and the control of brain disease (LC associated with the absence of new distant BM) after IORT for one completely resected supratentorial BM in the presence of up to 10 lesions suggestive of BM.