Single session stereotactic radiosurgery boost to the post-operative site in lieu of whole brain radiation in metastatic brain disease

Purpose Whole brain radiation (WBXRT) reduces the incidence of local and distant recurrence following resection of metastatic brain disease but does not prolong life and may entail neurocognitive decline. We employed a novel treatment modality of providing a single-session stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) boost to the surgical resection site to achieve local control without the risk of cognitive effects. Methods We reviewed all patients at our institution that were treated with SRS to the post-operative bed following resection of a metastatic brain deposit. Results There were 32 patients identified (16 F) and median age was 60 years. One lesion was resected in all patients of whom 21 were solitary (eight with two lesions, three with three). Median survival was 16.4 months with a 14 month median follow-up. Factors which improved survival were solitary tumor, age