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Frameless stereotactic radiosurgery in the management of brain metastases: long-term oncologic and toxicity outcomes

delete2026-07-21
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PRE
AI
S
Swati Kinger
G
Geoffrey Sedor
E
Elizabeth Buss
E
Eric Giannaris
J
Jacqueline Testaiuti
B
Brian Gill
B
Brett E. Youngerman
R
Raymond F. Sekula
G
Guy M. McKhann
M
Michael B. Sisti
J
Jeffrey N. Bruce
S
Simon K. Cheng
T
Tony J. C. Wang *
M
Matthew Gallitto *
DOI:10.1007/s11060-026-05721-1delete
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Abstract

Abstract

En 中文
Gamma Knife radiosurgery (GKRS) is a widely accepted treatment modality for brain metastases and has historically relied on pin-based frame fixation, with a frameless option introduced in recent years. Previous studies suggest similar local control and overall survival between frameless and frame-based GKRS, but data on long-term outcomes remain limited. In this study, we sought to evaluate outcomes of single-fraction frameless GKRS for patients treated at our institution between 2018 and 2024. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients treated with single-fraction frameless GKRS for brain metastases. Patient characteristics, treatment parameters, local control, freedom from distant recurrence, and overall survival were evaluated, as well as toxicity outcomes such as radiation necrosis and new-onset seizures. Our cohort included 140 patients with a total of 362 brain metastases. Primary tumor types included non-small cell lung (32%), breast (21%), melanoma (16%), and gastrointestinal (9%). Median marginal dose was 20 Gy, with mean target volume of 0.14 cc (0.04-0.56). Median clinical follow-up time was 2.4 years. At 1- and 2-years post-treatment, local control was 98% (95% CI, 96%-100%) and 97% (95% CI, 94%-99%), respectively. Median overall survival was 2.5 years (95% CI, 1.992-4.271). One patient (0.7%) had symptomatic radiation necrosis following treatment. In this single-institutional experience, frameless GKRS demonstrated excellent oncologic outcomes, adding to the growing body of literature that frameless-based radiosurgical techniques do not compromise locoregional control. To our knowledge, this is the largest single-institution frameless GKRS cohort reported to date.
Keywords:
Gamma Knife radiosurgery
Stereotactic radiosurgery
Frameless technique
Brain metastases

Journal

J
Journal of Neuro-Oncology
IF:
3.1
Papers:
8.1K
Citations:
1.5W

Organization

D
department of radiation oncology
Scholars:
823
Papers: 267
Citations: 0
C
columbia university
Scholars:
4.4K
Papers: 1.9K
Citations: 2
D
department of neurological surgery
Scholars:
169
Papers: 45
Citations: 3
C
CUNY School of Medicine
Scholars:
19
Papers: 17
Citations: 0
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