[Current status of radiation therapy--evidence-based medicine(EBM) of radiation therapy. Metastatic brain tumors].
The prognosis of patients with brain metastases is poor. Consequently, the purposes of treatment for such patients are also limited. One goal is to prevent the metastatic tumors from causing death, and another is to improve the neurological symptoms that are causing deterioration of the patient's quality of life. There are several treatment options for brain metastases: whole brain irradiation, surgery, stereotactic radiosurgery, and combinations of these. We reviewed recent reports that were based on the evidence obtained from various treatment strategies for this condition. We concluded that the final decision should be made by the patients themselves. We refer to the concept of narrative-based medicine(NBM).
Hayashi
Nobuyuki
N
Department of Radiology, Nagasaki University.
Ochi
Makoto
M
Hayashi
Kuniaki
K
D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000556:secondary*; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006801:Humans