Medknow Publications on behalf of the Association of Radiation Oncologists of India (AROI)
Abstract
Brain metastases are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in
patients with breast cancer. HER-2 positivity is an increasingly
recognized risk factor for the development of brain metastases.
Although considerable progress has been made in the treatment of this
complication, supportive measures like steroids, anti-seizure
medication and whole-brain radiation remain the cornerstones of
management in the majority of patients. The current review discusses
the above and other issues like surgical excision, stereotactic
radiotherapy, adjuvant radiation, radiosensitization and chemotherapy.
A brief discussion of the recent evidence for the use of ′HER-1/
HER-2′-targeted therapy is also present