The long-term course and relationship with survival of multidimensional fatigue in patients with brain metastases after Gamma Knife radiosurgery.

Purpose: The aims of this study were to evaluate long-term multidimensional fatigue in patients with brain metastases (BM) up to 21 months after Gamma Knife radiosurgery (GKRS) and (change in) fatigue as predictor of survival.

Methods: Patients with 1 to 10 BM, expected survival > 3 months, and Karnofsky Performance Status ≥ 70, and Dutch non-cancer controls were included. Fatigue was measured with the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory.

Cognitive Functioning and Health-Related Quality of Life of Long-Term Survivors With Brain Metastases Up to 21 Months After Gamma Knife Radiosurgery.

Background: Survival rates have improved in the past years for patients with brain metastases (BMs).

Objective: To evaluate cognitive functioning and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) after Gamma Knife radiosurgery (GKRS) in a relatively large sample of long-term survivors.

Methods: Data from 38 long-term survivors (assessments available ≥ 12 mo post-GKRS) with, at time of enrollment, 1 to 10 newly diagnosed BMs, expected survival > 3 mo, and Karnofsky Performance Status ≥ 70 were analyzed.

Health-related quality of life after Gamma Knife radiosurgery in patients with 1-10 brain metastases.

Purpose: Increasingly more patients with multiple (> 4) brain metastases (BM) are being treated with stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS). Preserving patients' health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is an important treatment goal. The aim of this study was to assess (individual) changes in HRQoL in patients with 1-10 BM over time.

Cognitive functioning and predictors thereof in patients with 1-10 brain metastases selected for stereotactic radiosurgery.

Purpose: Information on predictive factors of cognitive functioning in patients with (multiple) brain metastases (BM) selected for radiosurgery may allow for more individual care and may play a role in predicting cognitive outcome after radiosurgery. The aim of this study was to evaluate cognitive performance, and predictors thereof, in patients with 1-10 BM before radiosurgery.

Methods: Cognition was measured before radiosurgery using a standardized neuropsychological test battery in patients with 1-10 BM (expected survival > 3 months; KPS ≥ 70; no prior BM treatment).

Multidimensional assessment of fatigue in patients with brain metastases before and after Gamma Knife radiosurgery.

Purpose: Fatigue is a common and distressing symptom in cancer patients which negatively affects patients' daily functioning and health-related quality of life. The aim of this study was to assess multidimensional fatigue in patients with brain metastases (BM) before, and after Gamma Knife radiosurgery (GKRS).

Methods: Patients with BM, an expected survival > 3 months, and a Karnofsky Performance Status ≥ 70 and 104 Dutch non-cancer controls were recruited.

Cognitive effects of stereotactic radiosurgery in adult patients with brain metastases: A systematic review.

Purpose: Stereotactic radiation surgery (SRS) is increasingly applied in patients with brain metastases (BM) and is expected to have fewer adverse effects on cognitive functioning than whole brain radiation therapy (WBRT). Patients with BM are often confronted with a relatively short life expectancy, and the prevention or delay of cognitive decline to maintain quality of life is a clinically and highly relevant treatment goal. This review systematically and specifically evaluates the current literature on the cognitive effects of SRS in patients with BM.

A randomised trial to compare cognitive outcome after gamma knife radiosurgery versus whole brain radiation therapy in patients with multiple brain metastases: research protocol CAR-study B.

Background: Gamma Knife radiosurgery (GKRS) is increasingly applied in patients with multiple brain metastases and is expected to have less adverse effects in cognitive functioning than whole brain radiation therapy (WBRT). Effective treatment with the least negative cognitive side effects is increasingly becoming important, as more patients with brain metastases live longer due to more and better systemic treatment options. There are no published randomized trials yet directly comparing GKRS to WBRT in patients with multiple brain metastases that include objective neuropsychological testing.