About Brain Metastases
Metastases
are cancer cells that have broken off from the main tumor and spread to distant
sites in the body. Many types of cancer can spread (metastasize) to the brain.
UT Southwestern offers expertise and access to technology for treating
brain metastases that others don’t. We have the only Gamma Knife in North
Texas, which delivers high-dose radiation solely to the tumor while sparing the
normal parts of the surrounding brain.
Diagnosis and Evaluation of Brain Metastases
When
a patient is seen at UT Southwestern for a possible brain metastasis, the
evaluating physician will gather information about the current disease status,
chemotherapy medications, and any previous treatments. The physician then
confers with the multidisciplinary brain metastasis team.
Our neurosurgeons,
radiation oncologists, and medical oncologists work together to develop
personalized treatment plans for each patient, which allows us to maximize
patient benefit while minimizing risk. All patients with brain metastases are seen promptly. Same-
and next-day appointments are often available.
Treatment for Brain
Metastases
Most
brain metastases can be treated using a combination of surgery and focused
radiation. In the past, the only treatment option for patients with brain
metastases was whole-brain radiation therapy, which delivered radiation to both
the tumor and the normal parts of the brain, causing significant cognitive side
effects.
Today,
our treatment for brain metastases is much more sophisticated. We now have the
ability to direct treatment precisely to the cancer, without affecting the surrounding
tissue.
Treatments for
brain metastases include:
Surgery
Patients with large brain metastases that are
causing neurologic symptoms are best managed with surgery. Using advanced
microsurgical techniques to remove these tumors can improve patient outcomes.
Additionally, when there is only one brain metastasis, surgical removal can produce
lasting tumor control.
Radiation Therapy
The mainstay of
treatment for brain metastases is radiation therapy. At UT Southwestern,
we’re able to avoid whole-brain radiation when possible because we have the
only Gamma Knife in North Texas. This radiation device was designed specifically for the
treatment of brain metastases and delivers high doses of radiation only to the
tumor while sparing nearby healthy tissue. This precision results in much
better tumor control and no cognitive dysfunction.
Our neurosurgeons and radiation oncologists work closely with medical oncologists both at UT Southwestern and in the surrounding North Texas communities. We encourage our patients to maintain their longstanding relationships with their physicians both inside and outside the UT Southwestern system.
Research and Clinical Trials
UT Southwestern conducts clinical trials aimed at improving the diagnosis and treatment of brain conditions such as metastases. Patients can talk with our doctors to see if they qualify for a clinical trial.
