This is an old revision of the document!
Cerebellar metastases radiosurgery
๐ฌ Clinical Context
- Cerebellar metastases represent 20โ30% 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
๐ฏ Indications for Radiosurgery
- Lesion size <3โ4 cm or volume <10โ15 cc
- Oligometastatic disease (โค4 lesions)
- Good functional status (KPS โฅ70)
- Controlled systemic disease
- Life expectancy >3โ6 months
๐ก Advantages
- Minimally invasive
- High local control (85โ95% at 6โ12 months)
- Outpatient or short-stay procedure
- Defers or avoids WBRT
- Preserves neurocognition
- Often avoids surgical resection
โ๏ธ Technical Considerations
- Technologies:
- Gamma Knife (GKRS)
- CyberKnife
- LINAC-based SRS
- Hypofractionated SRS (hfSRS)
- Dose example:
- 18โ24 Gy in 1 fraction (adapted to size/location)
- Frameless or frame-based delivery
๐ง Risks and Follow-Up
- Complications:
- Radiation necrosis (5โ15%)
- Cerebellar edema โ treat with corticosteroids
- Lesions near brainstem โ consider hypofractionation
- Surveillance:
- MRI brain with contrast:
- 1st control at 2โ3 months
- Then every 2โ3 months
๐งพ Evidence Summary
- 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