Strategies to Treat Huge Cystic Metastatic Brain Tumors |
In Seok Jang, Yang Kwon, Do Hee Lee, Soon Young Kim, Young Song, Jeong Hoon Kim, Jung Kyo Lee, Byung Duk Kwun |
Department of Neurological Surgery, Asan Medical Center, College of Medicine, Ulsan University, Seoul, Korea |
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Abstract |
Introduction: In the treatment of huge cystic metastatic brain tumors, it is often impossible to completely resect it. Cyst aspiration with or without Ommaya insertion and whole brain radiation therapy have been performed, but the follow-up results have not reported. We report the retrospective follow-up results of Gamma Knife radiosurgery for huge cystic metastatic brain tumors after cyst aspiration to decrease the tumor volume in one session.
Materials & Methods: To treat huge cystic metastatic brain tumors, after the Leksell frame was applied, cyst aspiration was performed and then Gamma Knife radiosurgery was performed to the decreased tumor volume in one session with two times MRI studies. Twelve patients were treated with above methods. Tumor volume was compared before and after aspiration. Median survival time and causes of death were evaluated. In two patients, WBRT was combined with Gamma Knife radiosurgery.
Results All patients were tolerated to the above methods. The tumor volume was decreased to 54% after aspiration compared to the before aspiration. Mean survival time was 11.0months, longest survival time was 34 months and one patient is still alive 8 months after radiosurgery. One patient died on 9 days after radiosurgery due to acute respiratory distress syndrome.
Conclusion To treat huge cystic metastatic tumors, one day radiosurgery combined with aspiration is an effective treatment method. |
Key Words:
Metastatic brain tumor, Aspiration, Radiosurgery. |
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