SUMMARY: Brain metastases are the most common intracranial tumors in adults in the United States. In patients with systemic malignancies, brain metastases occur in 10-30% of adults, with Lung, Breast, and Melanoma continuing to be the leading cause of brain metastases. The incidence of brain metastases may be on the rise due to both improved imaging techniques, as well as better control of extracerebral disease from advances in systemic therapy.
The Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS) developed a series of guidelines for the treatment of adult patients with metastatic brain tumors, including systemic therapy and supportive care topics. The ASCO/SNO (Society of NeuroOncology) Expert Panel determined that the recommendations from the CNS anticonvulsants and steroids guidelines, published January 9, 2019, are clear, thorough, and based on the most relevant scientific evidence. ASCO/SNO endorsed these two CNS guidelines with minor alterations. This guideline was developed by a multidisciplinary Expert Panel that included a patient representative and an ASCO guidelines staff member with health research methodology expertise.
Guideline Questions
CNS Anticonvulsant Guideline
1) Do prophylactic antiepileptic drugs decrease the risk of seizures in nonsurgical patients with brain metastases who are otherwise seizure free?
2) Do prophylactic antiepileptic drugs decrease the risk of seizures in patients with brain metastases and no prior history of seizures in the postoperative setting?
CNS Steroids Guideline
1) Do steroids improve neurologic symptoms and/or quality of life in patients with metastatic brain tumors compared with supportive care only or other treatment options?
2) If steroids are administered, what dose should be given?
Target Population
Adults with metastatic brain tumors.
Target Audience
Medical oncologists, Neurologists, and others who provide care for adults with metastatic brain tumors.
Recommendations
CNS Anticonvulsants Guideline:
1) Prophylactic antiepileptic drugs are not recommended for routine use in patients with brain metastases who did not undergo surgical resection and who are otherwise seizure free.
2) Routine postcraniotomy antiepileptic drug use for seizure-free patients with brain metastases is not recommended.
CNS Steroids Guideline: Steroid Therapy Versus No Steroid Therapy
Patients with asymptomatic brain metastases without mass effect:
Insufficient evidence exists to make a treatment recommendation for this clinical scenario.
Patients with brain metastases with mild symptoms related to mass effect:
1) Corticosteroids are recommended to provide temporary symptomatic relief of symptoms related to increased intracranial pressure and edema secondary to brain metastases. It is recommended for patients who are symptomatic from metastatic disease to the brain that a starting dose of Dexamethasone 4 to 8 mg/day be considered. Patients with brain metastases with moderate to severe symptoms related to mass effect
2) Corticosteroids are recommended to provide temporary symptomatic relief of symptoms related to increased intracranial pressure and edema secondary to brain metastases. If patients exhibit severe symptoms that are consistent with increased intracranial pressure, it is recommended that higher doses, such as Dexamethasone 16 mg/day or more, be considered.
Choice of steroid:
If corticosteroids are administered, Dexamethasone is the best drug choice, given the available evidence.
Duration of corticosteroid administration:
Corticosteroids, if administered, should be tapered as rapidly as possible, but no faster than clinically tolerated, on the basis of an individualized treatment regimen and a full understanding of the long-term sequelae of corticosteroid therapy.
ASCO/SNO Expert Panel comment: The Panel’s expert opinion is that, given the important adverse effects of steroids, the minimum effective dose (often no more than 4 mg) should be used where possible and night-time doses of steroids should be avoided to minimize toxicity.
Note regarding CNS Level 3 recommendation classification: CNS defines a Level 3 recommendation as, one based on “Evidence from case series, comparative studies with historical controls, case reports, and expert opinion, as well as significantly flawed randomized controlled trials”
Anticonvulsant Prophylaxis and Steroid Use in Adults With Metastatic Brain Tumors: ASCO and SNO Endorsement of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons Guidelines. Chang SM, Messersmith H, Ahluwalia M, et al. J Clin Oncol 2019;37:1130-1135
