[The treatment of brain metastases]

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Title:	[The treatment of brain metastases]
Author(s):	Gijtenbeek, J.M.M. ; Eck, A.T. van; Maazen, R.W.M. van der ; Koetsveld, A.C. ; Punt, C.J.A.
Publication year:	2002
Source:	Nederlands Tijdschrift voor Geneeskunde, vol. 146, iss. 37, (2002), pp. 1724-1729
ISSN:	0028-2162
Publication type:	Article / Letter to editor
Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item : http://hdl.handle.net/2066/165305
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Subject:	Experimental diagnostics and therapy of malignancies Experimental radiotherapy and neuro-oncology. Pathophysiology of Brain and Behaviour Experimentele radiotherapie en neuro-oncologie. Onderzoek Neurochirurgie Pathofysiologie van Hersenen en Gedrag
Organization:	Neurology Radiation Oncology Neurosurgery Medical Oncology
Journal title:	Nederlands Tijdschrift voor Geneeskunde
Volume:	vol. 146
Issue:	iss. 37
Page start:	p. 1724
Page end:	p. 1729
Classification:	Bacterial InfectionsBlood CellsCombined Modality TherapyInfectionLeukemiaLymphomaMagnetic Resonance ImagingMycoses Head and Neck Neoplasms BrainMental RetardationNerve NetNervous System Abnormalities (Non MeSH)Neurons
Abstract:	Patients with cancer have a 15 to 30% risk of developing symptomatic brain metastases. The prognosis is extremely poor then: the median survival period is less than one year. Treatment strategies aim to guarantee an optimal quality of life. Curative treatment can only be given in just a few unique cases. Besides the previous standard treatment of whole-brain radiotherapy, the efficacy of other treatment modalities as surgery, radiosurgery, and systemic chemotherapy has been demonstrated to have additional value for certain indications. Important factors that play a role in the decision to give a specific treatment are the age and performance status of the patient, the number of brain metastases and their location, the systemic tumour activity, and the radiosensitivity and chemosensitivity of the primary tumour. A multidisciplinary approach is necessary to guarantee an optimal treatment plan.