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Published in: Journal of Neuro-Oncology 3/2009

01-05-2009 | Topic Review

Management of brain metastases: the indispensable role of surgery

Authors: George Al-Shamy, Raymond Sawaya

Published in: Journal of Neuro-Oncology | Issue 3/2009

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Abstract

Brain metastases are the most common neurological complication of systemic cancer and carry a very poor prognosis. The management of patients with brain metastases has become more important recently because of the increased incidence of these tumors and the prolonged patient survival times that have accompanied increased control of systemic cancer. In this article, we review the current perspectives on surgical treatment of brain metastases in terms of patient selection criteria, intraoperative adjuncts, whole-brain radiation therapy (WBRT) as a postoperative adjuvant, reoperation for tumor recurrence, and resection of multiple and single metastases. Achieving the best outcome in treatment of brain metastasis requires the judicious and complementary use of surgical resection along with modalities such as whole-brain radiation therapy and stereotactic radiosurgery.
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Metadata
Title
Management of brain metastases: the indispensable role of surgery
Authors
George Al-Shamy
Raymond Sawaya
Publication date
01-05-2009
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Journal of Neuro-Oncology / Issue 3/2009
Print ISSN: 0167-594X
Electronic ISSN: 1573-7373
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11060-009-9839-y

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