Update of stereotactic radiosurgery for brain tumors.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This paper will review the recent publications of stereotactic radiosurgery for brain tumors. RECENT ADVANCES: Despite its controversial beginning, stereotactic radiosurgery has rapidly gained acceptance among neurosurgeons, radiation oncologists, and neuro-oncologists as a valuable treatment option for patients with certain benign and malignant brain tumors. Over the past year, a number of publications have confirmed the efficacy and safety of this treatment modality as the sole treatment modality or as part of the multimodality management of brain tumor patients. These publications ranged from the first multi-institutional phase III trial of radiosurgery for patients with brain metastases to numerous retrospective papers about treatment outcomes. Also, a number of these publications have explored the use of newer imaging modalities to improve treatment outcomes while others reported on the rare complication of radiation-associated second tumors.
SUMMARY: Recent publications of stereotactic radiosurgery have increased our understanding of the use of this technology. Future studies are needed to further improve outcomes, minimize toxicities and increase our understanding of this treatment modality.