When cancers spread from their organ of origin to other sites in the body, we call these new tumors metastases. The brain is often a preferred site for cancers from other parts of the body to spread. Additionally, once a cancer has spread to the brain, it is often difficult for chemotherapies to reach concentrations to be effective. At Dallas Brain, Spine, and Skull Base Surgery (DBS), we offer the full spectrum of treatments for cancers that have spread to the brain. These treatments include surgery and focused-beam radiation (stereotactic radiosurgery).
At DBS, we will review imaging along with exam findings and present a comprehensive treatment plan for management of brain metastases. We focus on individualizing your treatment plan to maximize disease control and minimize the risk of new neurologic symptoms. We realize not all patients with metastases are the same and preservation of quality of life is of paramount importance. We use minimally invasive approaches to sites of metastases in order to reduce the amount of brain tissue at risk from the procedure. Additionally, minimally invasive cranial exposures allow for faster recovery from surgery. We routinely employ computerized neuronavigation to reduce incision and craniotomy size while maximizing access to the tumor. Our goal is to completely remove a brain metastasis while exposing as little of the normal brain tissue as possible.
The best management of brain metastases involves coordination between your neurosurgeon, medical oncologist, and radiation oncologist. Three types of treatment available for brain metastases are: surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. Frequently, appropriate treatment involves employing 2 or 3 of these modalities. Your neurosurgeon will communicate with your medical and radiation oncologists to create a seamless, comprehensive treatment plan. Our goal is to never have a patient unclear about what the next step is in their treatment.
At Dallas Brain, Spine and Skull Base Surgery, we view our brain metastases patients as our patients over the long-term. While we may accomplish complete removal of brain metastases, we also know that late stage cancers can pose a long-term risk and we routinely follow up with patients for several years after surgery, repeating brain imaging at frequent intervals, to ensure that disease control is maintained.