Overviews
Understanding
Brain Metastases (ALCASE)
Comprehensive guide for patients and caregivers intended to provide
a basic understanding of brain metastases and their treatment. Topics
covered include: what are brain metastases? what are the typical symptoms?
how are brain metastases diagnosed? what are the treatment options? how
might brain metastases affect me? how can patients and loved ones cope
emotionally? where can I get more information? [2003]
Management
of Brain Metastases (cancernetwork.com)
by Patrick Y. Wen, MD and Jay S. Loeffler, MD
13, no.7 ONCOLOGY (July 1999)
Comprehensive article on brain metastases includes clinical manifestations,
diagnosis, symptomatic therapy, definitive treatment, and prognosis. Registration
required for free access to cancereducation.com. [7/99]
Brain
Metastases - Recent MEDLINE Abstracts (PubMed)
Specific Therapies
Chemotherapy
Temozolomide
(Temodar) (Lung Cancer Online)
Triple
Therapy with Vinorelbine, Gemcitabine, and Carboplatin Demonstrates Efficacy
Against Brain Metastases from NSCLC (Doctor's Guide)
Reports on a 2002 ASCO study that showed a combination of vinorelbine,
gemcitabine, and carboplatin is active as primary chemotherapy against
brain metastases from NSCLC. [5/02]
Radiation Therapy - Whole Brain
Whole
Brain Radiation Therapy With or Without Stereotactic Radiosurgery Boost
For Patients with One to Three Brain Metastases: Results of a Phase III
Randomized Trial (PubMed)
Abstract of a study published in the May 2004 issue of The Lancet.
Study results suggest that WBRT and stereotactic radiosurgery should
be standard treatment for patients with a single unresectable brain metastasis
and considered for patients with two or three brain metastases. [5/04]
Radiation Therapy - Enhancers/Sensitizers
RSR13 (efaproxiral/Efaproxiral)
Information (Lung Cancer Online)
Xcytrin
(motexafin gadolinium) & WBRT - Recent MEDLINE Abstracts
Stereotactic Radiosurgery
International Radiosurgery Support
Association
Educational organization dedicated to providing information
on stereotactic and other specialized radiation treatments. Resources
include a description of a typical
treatment day, frequently asked questions about radiosurgery, a list
of treatment centers and an IRSA newsletter. Of particular interest is
the stereotactic radiosurgery
overview, which provides general information on stereotactic radiosurgery
as well as discussion of particular types such as Gamma Knife and CyberKnife,
among others.
Gamma
Knife Surgery In the Management of Brain Metastases from Lung Carcinoma
(PubMed)
Retrospective study published in the May 2004 issue of the
Journal of Neurosurgery that analyzed the results of stereotactic
radiosurgery performed using a gamma knife in the treatment of 44 consecutive
patients with brain metastases from lung carcinoma. The study concluded
that gamma knife surgery significantly reduced the incidence of mortality
from brain disease by effectively accomplishing local tumor control in
patients with metastatic lung cancer. Local control and freedom from new
brain metastases is not influenced by prior external-beam radiotherapy.
[5/04]
Radiosurgery
for NSCLC Metastatic to the Brain: Long Term Outcomes and Prognostic Factors
(Journal of Neurosurgery)
by Jason P. Sheehan, MD, et al.
v.97, no. 6 Journal of Neurosurgery (December 2002)
Examines the efficacy of gamma knife radiosurgery for treating
metastases to the brain from NSCLC and evaluates factors affecting long-term
survival. Concludes that gamma knife radiosurgery for NSCLC metastases
to the brain can enhance patient survival and facilitate local brain tumor
control. [12/02]
Stereotactic
Radiosurgery - Recent MEDLINE Abstracts (PubMed)
Molecular-targeted Therapy
Iressa
& Brain Metastases - Recent MEDLINE Abstracts (PubMed)
Clinical Trials for Brain Metastasis
Brain
Metastasis Clinical Trials (ClinicalTrials.gov)
Brain
Tumor Treatments - Metastatic Brain Tumors (Musella Foundation)
Listing of clinical trials for metastatic brain tumors.
Phase
III Randomized Trial of the Role of Whole Brain Radiation Therapy in Addition
to Radiosurgery in the Management of Patients with One to Three Cerebral
Metastases (ASCOSOG)
For a summary of the trial, click on "View Synopsis." To
get additional information, contact the Study Coordinator, Jean Pesarchick
at 919-668-8206.
Complications of Brain Metastasis
THE DRUG -
A Steroid Tale (CancerLynx)
Personal account by John Fetto of his wife's experience with Decadron
after her lung cancer progressed to her brain. [9/01]
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