Prognostic factors in brain metastases: can we determine patients who do not benefit from whole-brain radiotherapy?

AIMS: Whole-brain radiotherapy (WBRT) is a standard treatment recommendation for patients with brain metastases. The goal of treatment is symptom control, which in the short run can be often achieved by steroids. Patients with a short life expectancy may not derive benefit from the addition of radiation. The ability to identify this group would aid the decision of whether to recommend WBRT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data on all patients referred …