STEREOTAXIC RADIATION-THERAPY FOR BRAIN METASTASES - THE LAUSANNE EXPERIENCE

We report the first series of patients treated by stereotactic radiati on therapy for brain metastases in Switzerland. From August 1993 to De cember 1934, 19 patients were treated using a linear accelerator adapt ed for stereotactic treatment set-up. Most of the patients received co mbined treatment including external irradiation. The crude overall con trol rate for brain metastases was 79%. Median survival was 12.2 month s. Overall survival at one year was 50+/-12%. These data compare reaso nably well with the reported median survival of 3-6 months using exter nal cranial irradiation alone. There was no <<late toxicity.>> The dat a thus indicate that stereotactic radiation therapy combined with exte rnal whole brain irradiation appears to increase life expectancy and q uality of life in a selected cohort of patients.