Cyberknife stereotactic radiosurgery for the re-irradiation of brain lesions: a single-centre experience.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of our study was to retrospectively evaluate the feasibility and clinical benefit of cyberknife stereotactic radiosurgery (CSRS) in patients treated at Florence University for recurrent, pre-irradiated brain lesions.


METHODS
Thirteen patients were retreated with cyberknife. Mean age was 47.1 years (range 33-77 years). Karnofsky performance status ranged from 60 to 100 (median 80). Eleven (84.6%) out of 13 patients had metastatic lesions: four (36.4%) had primary lung, three (27.2%) had primary breast cancer and four (36.4%) other types of solid malignancies. Two (15.4%) out of 13 patients had recurrent of glioblastoma.


RESULTS
In terms of compliance with CSRS, the majority of patients did not develop any acute side effects. However, two (15.4%) out of 13 patients developed acute grade 2 toxicity requiring an increase of steroid medication. At the time of the last follow-up, response rates were as follows: complete response in one case (16.6%), partial response in three (50%) and stable disease in two (33.4%).


CONCLUSIONS
Re-irradiation with CSRS is a feasible and effective option for pre-irradiated, recurrent brain lesions to obtain clinical benefit without excessive acute toxicity.
Radiotherapy Unit, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Careggi, University of Florence, Viale Morgagni 85, 50134, Florence, Italy, daniela.greto@gmail.com.
Daniela
D
Greto
Lorenzo
L
Livi
Pierluigi
P
Bonomo
Laura
L
Masi
Beatrice
B
Detti
Icro
I
Meattini
Monica
M
Mangoni
Raffaella
R
Doro
Virginia
V
Favuzza
Samantha
S
Cipressi
Carmine
C
Iermano
Ivano
I
Bonucci
Mauro
M
Loi
Gianpaolo
G
Biti
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000556:secondary / Q000601:surgery*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005909:Glioblastoma / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D016634:Radiosurgery / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome