Irradiation in central nervous system tumors

H the treatment of brain metastases is viewed with skepticism. The hospitalization by itself prolongs life by one two months. Treatments with steroids reduce symptoms, but effect is short. Whole Brain Radiotherapy (WBRT) have been made mainstay for several decades, increasing survival up to six months, but it has been associated with neurocognitive impairment. On the other hand, when possible surgery is is the gold standard indication in a single or with significant mass effect lesions. In the past decade radiosurgery has become a very popular alternative, with high efficiency and few side effects, but until now 3D conformal radiotherapy or IMRT continue to be most employee techniques, including WBRT with hippocampal sparing.