Long-term Survival After Stereotactic Radiosurgery of Brain Metastases: A Case Series with 10-year Follow-up

Patients with brain metastases (BRM) generally have a poor prognosis with infrequent long-term outcomes. Four patients treated by stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) for BRM between 2000 and 2010 with a minimum follow-up of 10 years are described. The mean age was 43.5 years, and these individuals exhibited good performance status at the time of diagnosis of intracranial disease. BRM was solitary or multiple, and the primary malignant tumor originated from the thyroid gland, lung, mediastinum or large intestine. Progression of the original and secondary tumors subsequent to diagnosis and SRS was not observed. Radioimaging of the brain obtained 9 years later in one of the patients who was asymptomatic at follow-up revealed white matter changes; BRM in this individual was treated by tumor resection and cranial irradiation prior to SRS. We contend that extended longevity is not precluded when standard management of BRM is practiced in selected cases.