Advances in radiation therapy of brain metastasis.

The traditional treatment for brain metastases is to administer whole-brain radiation therapy using two-dimensional techniques. Owing to the short survival duration of patients historically treated, most patients with brain metastases did not survive long enough to manifest neurologic/neuropsychologic complications. With improved systemic therapy, and more aggressive focal treatment options, longer survival times are now becoming observed along with late effects of cancer treatment. Recently, advances in radiation therapy for brain metastases have taken shape in an attempt to improve the therapeutic ratio of improving intracranial disease control while reducing neurotoxicities. This review provides an overview of advances in the radiotherapeutic management of brain metastases.