Clinical outcomes of Hypofractionated stereotactic radiotherapy (HFSRT) among patients with brain metastases in a tertiary medical center in the Philippines

Abstract

Rationale/ObjectivesHypofractionated stereotactic radiotherapy (HFSRT) delivers higher biologically effective doses of radiation in multiple fractions with minimal toxicity to normal brain tissue, making it a viable alternative for patients with lesions located near organs at risk and larger tumors > 3 cm. This is the first local study that will assess the characteristics and outcomes of patients with brain metastasis treated via HFSRT. Materials and methodsThis is a retrospective cross-sectional study that consisted of 17 patients with brain metastases treated via HFSRT with different dose and fractionation ranging from 25 to 32.5 Gy in five fractions. Predictive factors and endpoints were determined. ResultsAmong the 17 patients, a total of 23 brain metastatic lesions were analyzed via clinical and radiologic follow-up. The median local tumor control was 56 days. The median PFS was 75 days, while the median OS was 91 days. ConclusionTreatment with HFSRT for larger brain metastases using a similar dose-fractionation schedule was deemed safe and effective in symptom relief and tumor control with a median overall survival of 91 days.