Stereotactic body radiation therapy in brain metastases in the elderly population

Abstract

Brain metastases are a common tumour disease, and many cancer patients are prone to developing brain metastases after developing lung, breast and bowel cancer. However, not all parts of cancer can be completely removed, so in most cases, chemotherapy and radiotherapy are required to achieve a cure and prolong life. Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy is a new radiation therapy technique that has emerged recently. The difference between this technique and conventional radiation therapy is that it requires a relatively high single dose, a higher degree of precision in localisation and better treatment results. When faced with the same treatment as the general population, the elderly are less tolerant of the drugs and radiation, and they are less able to repair the damage caused by the drugs and radiation, which makes it easier for them to die during the treatment process. This is why there are high demands on organ protection, the precision of positioning and dose to the target area in the elderly population when it comes to radiation therapy. This paper presents a short summary of Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy for the elderly after diagnosis of brain metastases, including clinical response, side effects and organ protection in the elderly. Many of the paper's case data sources and clinical accounts are based on specific facts. To conclude, treating brain metastases is a very long process, and there is not enough time for elderly patients, and the SBRT technique can reduce the treatment time for patients.