Abstract
Introduction: Brain metastases (BMs) represent a significant public health problem. An average of 30% of cancer patients develop BM, which is a significant cause of morbidity, anxiety, and mortality. Radiotherapy, surgery, and systemic treatment are the mainstays of treatment and have evolved significantly in the last decade.
Purpose of the review: Updated information on the epidemiology, diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of brain metastases from a multidisciplinary approach is provided to enable an individualized approach aimed at cancer control and quality of life. Access to new systemic therapies, surgical techniques, and availability of technology for advanced radiotherapy techniques are also discussed.
Main message: Knowledge of specific mutations and targets of tumor receptors allows the selection of chemoimmunotherapy or current targeted therapies that offer better control potential at the systemic and intracranial levels. The sequence of systemic and local treatments (surgery, radiosurgery, whole brain radiation therapy) should be discussed as part of a multidisciplinary approach.
Conclusion: It is essential to estimate the prognosis of patients with BM, given that this will determine the therapeutic behavior that can range from symptomatic care to more aggressive treatments such as neurosurgical resection or radiosurgery.
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Copyright (c) 2022 Andrés Imbaquingo Cabrera, J. Santiago Madera-Obando, Iván Eduardo Maldonado Noboa, José Castillo Avellán, Bárbara León-Micheli, Raúl Galárraga-Campoverde, Lennyn Estuardo Albán-León