It is estimated that 20-40% of all patients diagnosed with a primary cancer will develop a secondary cancer in the brain. Depending on the size, location and number of tumors, brain metastases can be treated with very effective and aggressive new tools, resulting in an improved prognosis for many patients.

An increasing number of advanced minimally and non invasive treatment options are being “tailored” to meet the needs of the individual patient in the areas of neurosurgery and radiation therapy.

Brainlab is a leading provider of neuronavigation and stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) technologies that are widely used to assist your doctor during the different treatment phases.

Neurosurgery with Neuronavigation

Open surgery is the most common treatment option for single brain metastases. A craniotomy is performed to remove the tumor or to halt its progress.

Brainlab neuronavigation technology is used to plan and perform open surgery such as tumor resection or brain biopsy with greater precision. Computer-assisted surgery (CAS) works similarly to a car’s navigation system by continuously tracking surgical instruments in relation to the patient’s anatomy. This gives the surgeon additional visual guidance and allows for a more successful and minimally-invasive brain tumor resection or brain biopsy.

Benefits of computer-aided surgery:

• Supports minimally invasive approach
• Avoids critical brain structures
• Reduces risks and hospital stay

Radiosurgery

For the treatment of single brain metastases, which are often inoperable due to their position and the sensitivity of the surrounding tissue, Brainlab has developed a special radiosurgery treatment system.
Novalis® radiosurgery shapes the cancer-fighting radiation beam around your brain tumor, ensuring that the prescribed treatment dose is delivered to the entire lesion in a one-time treatment or a series of treatments based on your doctor’s recommendation.

Benefits of radiosurgery:

• Frameless non-invasive treatment improves patient comfort
• Treatment typically lasts just minutes
• Reduces recovery times
• Can be performed without hospitalization

Find more information here: Novalis Radiosurgery - Shaping Cancer Care

Patient Resources

Find a brain cancer specialist
Discuss the different treatment options with your physician. Ask him/her to present the advantages and disadvantages, as well as the later side effects, of each different treatment option available to you:

• Surgery
• Whole brain radiation
• Chemotherapy
• Stereotactic Radio surgery (SRS)
• Participation in clinical trials

Getting more help
To support you in the decision process about the best treatment option for your brain metastases, discuss with your family, and also refer to further valuable information sources, such as

• Internet
• Self-support groups
• Non-profit organizations
• Written information material

Take the time to be informed; this is your decision and you need to do what is most beneficial and reassuring for you.