How effective is stereotactic radiosurgery for brain metastases?

Despite its name, this treatment does not involve a surgical cut. Focused radiation is delivered to one or more targets while reducing exposure to surrounding brain tissue. It is commonly considered when lesions are limited in size and can be clearly identified on imaging. It may be used alone, after surgery, or alongside medicines that treat cancer elsewhere in the body.

Control of the treated spots is only one part of the picture. New metastases can develop in other areas, so the oncology team may recommend brain imaging and a plan for the primary cancer as well. Swelling around a lesion can temporarily worsen symptoms and may need treatment.

Ask which lesions will be treated and whether surgery, whole-brain radiation, medicine, or observation is also being considered. Share any history of seizures, blood-thinning medicines, headaches, weakness, vision changes or difficulty speaking. The team uses MRI and your overall health to set the treatment approach and follow-up schedule.

Arrange support for travel and rest after the session if needed. Keep the follow-up appointments, because scans help distinguish treatment-related change from active tumour and guide the next decision.

Seek urgent help for a seizure, sudden weakness or numbness, new confusion, fainting, trouble speaking, or a sudden severe headache. Contact your team quickly for worsening vomiting, increasing drowsiness, or a new change in vision or balance.

How many lesions can be treated in my session? What symptoms could come from swelling? How will you monitor the treated areas and look for new metastases? How does this treatment fit with my systemic cancer treatment?