Journal of Innovative Optical Health Sciences, Volume. 18, Issue 4, 2530005(2025)

Advances in Radiation/Photon therapy technology for the treatment of brain metastases

Hui Wang1,2, Jing Chu3, Yao Ren1, Wenfan Deng1, Lidan Zhang1, Lijuan Shen1, Yu Kuang2, and Lixia Xu1、*
Author Affiliations
  • 1Medical Imaging and Translational Medicine Laboratory, Department of Radiotherapy, Affiliated Hangzhou Cancer Hospital, Westlake University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310002, P. R. China
  • 2Medical Physics Program, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV 89154, USA
  • 3School of Automation, Xi’an University of Posts and Telecommunications, Xi’an 710121, P. R. China
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    With advancements in systemic therapy, the incidence of brain metastases (BMs) continues to rise, leading to severe neurological complications. Effective and precise treatment modalities are, therefore, critically important for managing BMs. Radiation therapy (RT), including photon therapy, has been essential in managing BMs. Recent technological advances have significantly enhanced the precision, efficacy, and safety of these treatments. This comprehensive review provides an in-depth examination of the latest advancements in radiation and photon therapy technologies for treating BMs, focusing on innovations such as stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS), whole-brain radiation therapy (WBRT), laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT), and other radiation-related treatment modalities. Additionally, we discuss clinical outcomes, challenges, and future directions in this rapidly evolving field. While a detailed comparison of techniques is beyond the scope of this paper, this paper provides up-to-date technical information for physicians, medical physicists, patients, and researchers in related fields, potentially enhancing clinical outcomes. Among the treatment modalities, SRS has become a cornerstone of RT for BMs, with its implementation spanning multiple modalities over the past few decades. Given its inherent minimally invasive nature and growing clinical acceptance, SRS is positioned to further evolve as a key therapeutic tool in both neurosurgery and radiotherapy.

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    Hui Wang, Jing Chu, Yao Ren, Wenfan Deng, Lidan Zhang, Lijuan Shen, Yu Kuang, Lixia Xu. Advances in Radiation/Photon therapy technology for the treatment of brain metastases[J]. Journal of Innovative Optical Health Sciences, 2025, 18(4): 2530005

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    Paper Information

    Category: Research Articles

    Received: Sep. 8, 2024

    Accepted: Jan. 1, 2025

    Published Online: Jun. 18, 2025

    The Author Email: Lixia Xu (xulixia3464@foxmail.com)

    DOI:10.1142/S1793545825300058

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