Stereotactic radiosurgery and radiotherapy for resected brain metastases: current pattern of care in the Radiosurgery and Stereotactic Radiotherapy Working Group of the German Association for Radiation Oncology (DEGRO).

Abstract

Preoperative stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) of brain metastases may achieve similar local control and better leptomeningeal control rates than postoperative fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy (FSRT) in patients treated with elective metastasectomy. To plan amulticentre trial of preoperative SRS compared with postoperative FSRT, asurvey of experts was conducted to determine current practice. Asurvey with 15questions was distributed to the DEGRO Radiosurgery and Stereotactic Radiotherapy Working Group. Participants were asked under what circumstances they offered SRS, FSRT, partial and/or whole brain radiotherapy before or after resection of abrain metastasis, as well as the feasibility of preoperative stereotactic radiosurgery and neurosurgical resection within 6days. Of 25participants from 24centres, 22completed 100% of the questions. 24respondents were radiation oncologists and1 was aneurosurgeon. All 24centres have one or more dedicated radiosurgery platform and all offer postoperative FSRT. Preoperative SRS is offered by 4/24 (16.7%) centres, and 9/24 (37.5%) sometimes recommend single-fraction postoperative SRS. Partial brain irradiation is offered by 8/24 (33.3%) centres and 12/24 (50%) occasionally recommend whole-brain irradiation. Two centres are participating in clinical trials of preoperative SRS. SRS techniques and fractionation varied between centres. All responding centres currently offer postoperative FSRT after brain metastasectomy. Approximately one third offer single-fraction postoperative SRS and four already perform preoperative SRS. With regard to potential co-investigators, 18 were identified for the PREOP‑2 multicentre trial, which will randomise between preoperative SRS and postoperative FSRT.