Does stereotactic radiosurgery treat brain metastases?

Despite its name, stereotactic radiosurgery does not involve an incision. Imaging and a customised treatment plan guide several radiation beams to a defined target. The aim is to control treated deposits; it does not remove cancer elsewhere in the body or replace treatment for the original cancer.

A radiation oncologist and other specialists consider the number and size of metastases, their position, symptoms, previous treatment, and your general health. Some people need another approach, such as surgery, whole-brain radiation, medicine, or a combination. Follow-up brain imaging helps the team assess the treated areas and look for new changes.

Ask for a multidisciplinary review of your scan and cancer history. Bring a list of medicines, previous radiation details, and any new symptoms. Ask whether the proposed treatment is intended to control one target or several, how planning and follow-up work, and whether medicines for swelling are needed. Read more about Brain Metastases and Stereotactic Radiosurgery.

Contact your cancer team promptly for a new or worsening headache, repeated vomiting, confusion, unusual sleepiness, weakness, numbness, speech trouble, vision change, or a seizure. Sudden severe symptoms, loss of consciousness, or a first seizure need emergency care.

Which brain areas are being targeted, and what is the treatment goal? How will the team distinguish treatment effects from tumour changes on follow-up scans? What symptoms should prompt a same-day call?