Safety and Effectiveness of Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy-Based Stereotactic Radiosurgery for Posterior Fossa Brain Metastases: A Single-Centre Experience

<b>Background/Objectives:</b> Posterior fossa brain metastases (PFBMs) pose particular risks owing to their proximity to the brainstem and fourth ventricle. We evaluated the safety (treatment-related complications), local effectiveness, and procedural efficiency of volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT)-based stereotactic radiosurgery (VMAT-SRS) for PFBMs. <b>Methods</b>: This single-centre, retrospective study derived a PFBM subgroup from an overall institutional cohort of 123 patients treated with VMAT-RapidArc SRS/fSRS. The doses were 12-20 Gy (single fraction) or 5 × 6 Gy (selected cases). Local response (mRECIST) and predefined safety endpoints (symptomatic oedema with brainstem/IV-ventricle compromise, obstructive hydrocephalus, haemorrhagic transformation, CSF diversion, and urgent neurosurgery) were assessed. Overall survival and procedural time were analysed. <b>Results</b>: Thirty-one patients (39 lesions) were included; 76.9% of them received single-fraction SRS. In addition, 74.2% of patients had supratentorial metastases with posterior fossa involvement. Kaplan-Meier overall survival at 6, 12, 24, and 48 months was 74%, 58%, 26%, and 9.7%, respectively; the median survival time was 12.6 months. Among evaluable lesions, local control was 84.5% (per-lesion response: 15.5% PD, 28.1% SD, 34.4% PR, and 22.0% CR). No clinically significant posterior fossa local complications were observed. Three patients developed radiation-induced leukoencephalopathy after whole-brain radiotherapy (WBRT) and radiosurgery for synchronous supratentorial metastases. The median procedural time was 25.0 min (IQR 9.0) with one isocentre versus 52.5 min (IQR 9.75) with two. <b>Conclusions:</b> VMAT-SRS/fSRS for PFBMs achieved high local control, very low posterior fossa toxicity, and favourable procedural efficiency, supporting its use as a safe, rapid, frameless alternative to WBRT and other radiosurgical platforms such as Gamma Knife in appropriately selected patients.

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Journal
Journal of Clinical Medicine
Published
2025-12-02
DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14238540
Primary Topic
Brain Metastases and Treatment
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article
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article

Safety and Effectiveness of Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy-Based Stereotactic Radiosurgery for Posterior Fossa Brain Metastases: A Single-Centre Experience

Pedro Pablo Escolar-Pérez, Ginés Luengo‐Gil, M. Alcaráz, José Manuel Sánchez-Villalobos et al.
Journal of Clinical Medicine
Brain Metastases and Treatment
article

Safety and Effectiveness of Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy-Based Stereotactic Radiosurgery for Posterior Fossa Brain Metastases: A Single-Centre Experience

Pedro Pablo Escolar-Pérez, Ginés Luengo‐Gil, M. Alcaráz, José Manuel Sánchez-Villalobos, Juan Salinas-Ramos, Alfredo Serna-Berná, Marina Andreu-Gálvez, Emma Martínez‐Alonso
article en

Abstract

<b>Background/Objectives:</b> Posterior fossa brain metastases (PFBMs) pose particular risks owing to their proximity to the brainstem and fourth ventricle. We evaluated the safety (treatment-related complications), local effectiveness, and procedural efficiency of volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT)-based stereotactic radiosurgery (VMAT-SRS) for PFBMs. <b>Methods</b>: This single-centre, retrospective study derived a PFBM subgroup from an overall institutional cohort of 123 patients treated with VMAT-RapidArc SRS/fSRS. The doses were 12-20 Gy (single fraction) or 5 × 6 Gy (selected cases). Local response (mRECIST) and predefined safety endpoints (symptomatic oedema with brainstem/IV-ventricle compromise, obstructive hydrocephalus, haemorrhagic transformation, CSF diversion, and urgent neurosurgery) were assessed. Overall survival and procedural time were analysed. <b>Results</b>: Thirty-one patients (39 lesions) were included; 76.9% of them received single-fraction SRS. In addition, 74.2% of patients had supratentorial metastases with posterior fossa involvement. Kaplan-Meier overall survival at 6, 12, 24, and 48 months was 74%, 58%, 26%, and 9.7%, respectively; the median survival time was 12.6 months. Among evaluable lesions, local control was 84.5% (per-lesion response: 15.5% PD, 28.1% SD, 34.4% PR, and 22.0% CR). No clinically significant posterior fossa local complications were observed. Three patients developed radiation-induced leukoencephalopathy after whole-brain radiotherapy (WBRT) and radiosurgery for synchronous supratentorial metastases. The median procedural time was 25.0 min (IQR 9.0) with one isocentre versus 52.5 min (IQR 9.75) with two. <b>Conclusions:</b> VMAT-SRS/fSRS for PFBMs achieved high local control, very low posterior fossa toxicity, and favourable procedural efficiency, supporting its use as a safe, rapid, frameless alternative to WBRT and other radiosurgical platforms such as Gamma Knife in appropriately selected patients.

Journal of Clinical MedicineVol. 14(23)
University of Cartagena (CO), Universidad Politécnica de Cartagena (ES), Hospital Reina Sofía de Murcia (ES), Santa Lucía University General Hospital (ES), Universidad Católica de Murcia (ES), Universidad de Murcia (ES)
Openalex Percentile: Top 43%
Brain Metastases and Treatment
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