Role of Surgical Resection in Patients with Single Large Brain Metastases: Feasibility, Morbidity, and Local Control Evaluation

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and the feasibility of surgery for single large brain metastases. METHODS: This retrospective study included 69 patients. All received a "supramarginal resection" according to functional boundaries, defined as a microsurgical excision with an extension larger at least 5 mm greater than the enhancing T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sequence borders with dural attachment radicalization. Hypofractionated stereotactic radiosurgery on the tumor bed, using 30 Gy in 3 fractions, was performed within 1 month after surgery. Clinical outcome was evaluated at 30 days postoperative and by MRI performed every 3 months. The appearance of postoperative neurologic deficits, local control (LC), brain distant progression (BDP), and overall survival were evaluated. RESULTS: Clinical remission of symptomatology was obtained in 90.5% of patients. None of them had new neurologic deficits or worsening of preoperative functional status. No major complications or cerebrospinal fluid leakage occurred. No residual tumor was detected on postoperative MRI. The median follow-up was 24 months (range 4-33 months). The 1- to 2-year LC was 100%. Twenty-four (29% of) patients had new BDP, and 75% had extracranial progression. The median 1- to 2-year overall survival was 24 months, 91.3% and 73%. At the last observation time, 15 patients (21.7%) were dead and 54 patients (78.3%) were alive. CONCLUSION: Supramarginal resection along with dural attachment radicalization have proved to be safe and effective for selected patients with single large brain metastases.