| Whole brain radiotherapy | |
|---|---|
| Specialty | Oncology |
| [edit on Wikidata] | |
Whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT) is a treatment option for patients with brain metastases. In WBRT, radiation therapy is administered broadly, to the whole brain, over multiple treatments.
Usage
WBRT has been shown to alleviate symptoms, decrease the use of corticosteroids needed to control tumor-associated edema, and potentially improve overall survival. However, WBRT has been reported to increase the risk of cognitive decline.
WBRT may be administered in combination with stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS), surgery, or systemic therapies. While these can improve survival for some patients with single brain metastasis, a 2021 systematic review of the literature found inconsistent results for overall survival.
References
- ^ Garsa, Adam; Jang, Julie K.; Baxi, Sangita; Chen, Christine; Akinniranye, Olamigoke; Hall, Owen; Larkin, Jody; Motala, Aneesa; Newberry, Sydne; Hempel, Susanne (2021). "Radiation Therapy for Brain Metastases | Effective Health Care (EHC) Program". effectivehealthcare.ahrq.gov. doi:10.23970/ahrqepccer242. PMID 34152714. S2CID 236256085. Retrieved 2022-07-30.
- McTyre, E; Scott, J; Chinnaiyan, P (2013). "Whole brain radiotherapy for brain metastasis". Surg Neurol Int. 4 (5): S236–44. doi:10.4103/2152-7806.111301. PMC 3656558. PMID 23717795.
- "Whole-Brain Radiotherapy: Risks Worth Benefit?". Medscape.com. Retrieved August 20, 2015.