A New Paradigm in Treatment of Brain Metastases

Anectodal reports of clinical improvement in patients with brain metastases following “well placed, moderate X-ray therapy” were reported as early as 1931, supporting the role of even primitive radiation techniques in palliation of patients with brain metastases 1. In this era prior to computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), patients with brain metastases presented with significant clinical symptoms. “Hemiplegia and incontinence are usually present by the time the patient is referred to the radiotherapist, and many have fits and papilledema” reported the first critical assessment of whole brain radiation therapy in 1954 2.
Source: Current Problems in Cancer - Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: Source Type: research