Published in:
Open Access 01-01-2010 | Invited Manuscript
The role of steroids in the management of brain metastases: a systematic review and evidence-based clinical practice guideline
Published in: Journal of Neuro-Oncology | Issue 1/2010
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Question
Do steroids improve neurologic symptoms in patients with metastatic brain tumors compared to no treatment? If steroids are given, what dose should be used? Comparisons include: (1) steroid therapy versus none. (2) comparison of different doses of steroid therapy.
Target population
These recommendations apply to adults diagnosed with brain metastases.
Recommendations
Steroid therapy versus no steroid therapy
Asymptomatic brain metastases patients without mass effect
Insufficient evidence exists to make a treatment recommendation for this clinical scenario.
Brain metastases patients with mild symptoms related to mass effect
Level 3 Corticosteroids are recommended to provide temporary symptomatic relief of symptoms related to increased intracranial pressure and edema secondary to brain metastases. It is recommended for patients who are symptomatic from metastatic disease to the brain that a starting dose of 4–8 mg/day of dexamethasone be considered.
Brain metastases patients with moderate to severe symptoms related to mass effect
Level 3 Corticosteroids are recommended to provide temporary symptomatic relief of symptoms related to increased intracranial pressure and edema secondary to brain metastases. If patients exhibit severe symptoms consistent with increased intracranial pressure, it is recommended that higher doses such as 16 mg/day or more be considered.
Choice of Steroid
Level 3 If corticosteroids are given, dexamethasone is the best drug choice given the available evidence.
Duration of Corticosteroid Administration
Level 3 Corticosteroids, if given, should be tapered slowly over a 2 week time period, or longer in symptomatic patients, based upon an individualized treatment regimen and a full understanding of the long-term sequelae of corticosteroid therapy.
Given the very limited number of studies (two) which met the eligibility criteria for the systematic review, these are the only recommendations that can be offered based on this methodology. Please see “Discussion” and “Summary” section for additional details.