The role of steroids in the management of brain metastases: a systematic review and evidence-based clinical practice guideline.
OBJECTIVE
Do steroids improve neurologic symptoms in patients with metastatic brain tumors compared to no treatment? If steroids are given, what dose should be used? Comparisons include: (1) steroid therapy versus none. (2) comparison of different doses of steroid therapy.


METHODS
These recommendations apply to adults diagnosed with brain metastases.


CONCLUSIONS
Steroid therapy versus no steroid therapy Asymptomatic brain metastases patients without mass effect Insufficient evidence exists to make a treatment recommendation for this clinical scenario. Brain metastases patients with mild symptoms related to mass effect Level 3 Corticosteroids are recommended to provide temporary symptomatic relief of symptoms related to increased intracranial pressure and edema secondary to brain metastases. It is recommended for patients who are symptomatic from metastatic disease to the brain that a starting dose of 4-8 mg/day of dexamethasone be considered. Brain metastases patients with moderate to severe symptoms related to mass effect Level 3 Corticosteroids are recommended to provide temporary symptomatic relief of symptoms related to increased intracranial pressure and edema secondary to brain metastases. If patients exhibit severe symptoms consistent with increased intracranial pressure, it is recommended that higher doses such as 16 mg/day or more be considered. Choice of Steroid Level 3 If corticosteroids are given, dexamethasone is the best drug choice given the available evidence. Duration of Corticosteroid Administration Level 3 Corticosteroids, if given, should be tapered slowly over a 2 week time period, or longer in symptomatic patients, based upon an individualized treatment regimen and a full understanding of the long-term sequelae of corticosteroid therapy. Given the very limited number of studies (two) which met the eligibility criteria for the systematic review, these are the only recommendations that can be offered based on this methodology. Please see "Discussion" and "Summary" section for additional details.
Ryken
Timothy C
TC
Department of Neurosurgery, Iowa Spine and Brain Institute, Iowa City, IA, USA.
McDermott
Michael
M
Robinson
Paula D
PD
Ammirati
Mario
M
Andrews
David W
DW
Asher
Anthony L
AL
Burri
Stuart H
SH
Cobbs
Charles S
CS
Gaspar
Laurie E
LE
Kondziolka
Douglas
D
Linskey
Mark E
ME
Loeffler
Jay S
JS
Mehta
Minesh P
MP
Mikkelsen
Tom
T
Olson
Jeffrey J
JJ
Paleologos
Nina A
NA
Patchell
Roy A
RA
Kalkanis
Steven N
SN
D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000556:secondary; D016208:Databases, Factual / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006801:Humans; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D013256:Steroids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D013256:Steroids