The role of stereotactic radiosurgery for multiple brain metastases in stable systemic disease: a review of the literature

Background Cancer patients with brain metastases display a median survival of only 1 to 2 months if left untreated. Although whole-brain radiation therapy (WBRT) has lengthened median patient survival, the long-term neurotoxic effects of WBRT have become a deterrent to its use in the context of stable systemic disease. Therefore, it is important to identify patients who might benefit from stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) in order to delay or avoid WBRT. Here we present a review of the literature to elucidate the role of SRS in patients with multiple brain metastases.