[Therapeutic effect of gamma-ray stereotactic radiotherapy on brain metastases].

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the therapeutic effects of gamma-ray stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT) plus whole brain irradiation and radiotherapy alone in brain metastases.

METHODS

Forty-three patients with brain metastases were treated by SRT plus whole brain irradiation and 50 patients were treated by routine radiotherapy. SRT was given with the dosage of 15-27 Gy, and whole brain irradiation was given with the dosage of 30-40 Gy.

RESULTS

One-year survival rate, median survival period, and tumor local control rate in SRT plus whole brain irradiation group were higher or longer than those in the routine radiotherapy group (P < 0.01). Mortality in SRT plus whole brain irradiation group was lower than that in the routine radiotherapy group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The therapeutic effect of SRT plus whole brain irradiation on brain metastasis of cancer is superior to the routine radiotherapy.