title: Controversies in the management of brain metastases.
abstract: The multidisciplinary management of brain metastases has generated substantial controversy as treatment has diversified in recent years. Debate about the type, role, and timing of different diagnostic and therapeutic strategies has promoted rigorous scientific research into efficacy. However, much still remains unanswered in the treatment of this difficult disease process. This manuscript seeks to highlight some of the controversies identified in previous sections of this supplement, including prognosis, pathology, radiation and surgical treatment, neuroimaging, and the biochemical underpinnings of brain metastases. By recognizing what is yet unanswered, we hope to identify areas in which further research may yield promising results.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle WA, USA.
authors.forename: Michael R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Levitt
authors.forename: Ralph
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Levitt
authors.forename: Daniel L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Silbergeld
keywords: Brain metastases; biomarkers; chemotherapy; neuroimaging; stereotactic radiosurgery; whole-brain radiation therapy