Local treatment of breast cancer brain metastases

Abstract

Breast cancer, along with lung cancer and melanoma, is one of the most common origins of central nervous system metastases. Due to improvement of systemic therapy options for primary disease and consequential prolonged survival, treatment of brain metastasis (BM) is presenting an evolving challenge. While new systemic therapy approaches for breast cancer brain metastasis are focusing on overcoming the blood brain and blood tumor barrier, as well as targeted therapies, local therapy remains the primary line of treatment. The decision of which local therapies to use, depends upon the number and volume of BM, their localization, patient’s clinical status, previously used treatments, status of extracranial disease and patient’s prognosis. In cases when an active approach, including surgery and/or radiotherapy, does not bring benefit to the patient’s quality of life or overall survival, best supportive care is recommended.

Keywords

• brain metastases
• breast cancer
• stereotactic radiosurgery
• whole brain radiation therapy