Neuro-oncology perspective of treatment options in metastatic breast cancer

Abstract

Breast cancer (BC) is a heterogeneous disease. Different subtypes of BC exhibit a peculiar natural history, metastatic potential and outcome. Stereotactic radiosurgery is the most used treatment for brain metastases (BM), while surgery is reserved for large and symptomatic lesions. Whole-brain radiotherapy is employed in multiple BM not amendable to radiosurgery or surgery, and it is not employed any more following local treatments of a limited number of BM. A critical issue is the distinction from pseudoprogression or radionecrosis, and tumor regrowth. Considering the increase of long-term survivors after combined or novel treatments for BM, cognitive dysfunctions following whole-brain radiotherapy represent an issue of utmost importance. Neuroprotective drugs and innovative radiotherapy techniques are being investigated to reduce this risk of cognitive sequelae. Leptomeningeal disease represents a devastating complication, either alone or in association to BM, thus targeted therapies are employed in HER2-positive BC brain and leptomeningeal metastases.