Pre-LINAC Evaluation for Malignant Brain Tumors

At the University of Florida Shands Neurological Center, malignant brain tumors are being treated with a radiosurgical boost dose. This treatment is available for patients who have small glioblastomas that are less than 3 cm in diameter and for patients who have small metastatic tumors.

Referring physicians should send actual CT and MRI films, as well as any hospital and office records, to the University of Florida, College of Medicine, Department of Neurosurgery.

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Risks of LINAC Treatment

There is no known acute risk of radiosurgical therapy, which allows patients to be treated on an outpatient basis. Delayed radiation injury is seen in some patients.

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Post-LINAC Treatment

Follow-up assessment of malignant brain tumor patients involves an MRI scan every three months after treatment.

Patients may choose to have follow-up X-rays taken at medical facilities other than Shands Hospital at the University of Florida.

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Indications for Radiosurgical Treatment

General indications for radiosurgical treatment, as opposed to open surgical treatment, are as follows:

1. Surgically inoperable lesions.

2. Lesions that have recurred or persisted after surgery

3. Medically infirm patients.

4. Patients who refuse open surgical treatment.