Whole-brain radiation therapy (Whole-Brain Radiation Therapy), in contrast to focal radiation therapy, refers to irradiation of the entire brain. It is used, for example, in the treatment of brain tumors, in which radiation therapy is often combined with surgical resection1.
Dosage
According to the current 2021 EANO-ESMO guidelines, a dose of 20-30 Gy in 5-10 fractions is typically used as consolidation therapy or as primary therapy in patients with multiple brain metastases2.
Side effects
Whole-brain radiation therapy has been associated in studies with a negative effect on neurocognitive function3.
References
Al-Shamy G, Sawaya R. Management of brain metastases: the indispensable role of surgery. J Neurooncol. April 2009:275-282. ↩ ↩
Le Rhun, E., et al. "EANO–ESMO Clinical Practice Guidelines for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of patients with brain metastasis from solid tumours☆." Annals of Oncology 32.11 (2021): 1332-1347. ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩