Cerebellar metastases radiosurgery

  • Cerebellar metastases represent 20–30% of all brain metastases.
  • Frequent primaries:
    • Lung
    • Breast
    • Melanoma
    • Renal cell carcinoma
  • Critical concerns:
    • Brainstem compression
    • Fourth ventricle involvement
    • Risk of obstructive hydrocephalus or herniation
  • Lesion size <3–4 cm or volume <10–15 cc
  • Oligometastatic disease (≤4 lesions)
  • Good functional status (KPS ≥70)
  • Controlled systemic disease
  • Life expectancy >3–6 months
  • Minimally invasive
  • High local control (85–95% at 6–12 months)
  • Outpatient or short-stay procedure
  • Defers or avoids WBRT
  • Preserves neurocognition
  • Often avoids surgical resection
  • Technologies:
    • Gamma Knife (GKRS)
    • CyberKnife
    • LINAC-based SRS
    • Hypofractionated SRS (hfSRS)
  • Dose example:
    • 18–24 Gy in 1 fraction (adapted to size/location)
  • Frameless or frame-based delivery
  • Complications:
    • Radiation necrosis (5–15%)
    • Cerebellar edema → treat with corticosteroids
  • Lesions near brainstem → consider hypofractionation
  • Surveillance:
    • MRI brain with contrast:
      • 1st control at 2–3 months
      • Then every 2–3 months
  • Retrospective studies show:
    • High local control
    • Comparable to surgery for small, asymptomatic lesions
  • Preferred approach for large/symptomatic lesions:
    • Surgical resection + adjuvant SRS to cavity
  • cerebellar_metastases_radiosurgery.txt
  • Last modified: 2025/05/15 20:01
  • by administrador