Brain Metastasis and Systemic Target Therapy: Implications for Neurosurgeons

Brain metastases pose significant challenges in oncology, affecting patient prognosis and quality of life despite increasing overall survival due to new treatments and early diagnosis. Recent advances in systemic targeted therapies, including novel chemotherapeutics, immune checkpoint inhibitors, and personalized medicine, have revolutionized cancer treatment. These therapies extend survival and improve control over primary tumors, leading to an increased number of patients who require neurosurgical interventions for brain metastases. Understanding the interplay between systemic therapies and neurosurgical treatments is critical for optimizing patient outcomes.

The primary goal of this Research Topic is to explore the integration of systemic targeted therapies into the neurosurgical management of brain metastases. We aim to address the challenges faced by neurosurgeons in this evolving landscape, such as optimizing surgical outcomes for patients undergoing systemic treatments, managing therapy-related complications, incorporating emerging therapies into surgical protocols and explore the particularities of metastatic disease, such as the molecular divergence between primary tumors and brain metastasis is estimated around 50%. By focusing on these issues, we hope to develop evidence-based guidelines and innovative approaches that enhance patient care. Additionally, this Research Topic seeks to elucidate the decision-making processes involved in selecting surgical candidates and timing interventions to maximize effectiveness while minimizing risks.

This Research Topic invites contributions that focus on the surgical management of brain metastasis in the context of systemic targeted therapies and the importance of molecular diagnosis. We welcome a variety of manuscript types, including original research, clinical studies, reviews, and case reports. Specific themes authors should address include:

o Impact of Systemic Therapies: Effects of novel systemic therapies on surgical outcomes and techniques for brain metastases.
o Surgical Timing and Decision-Making: Strategies for timing surgical interventions in conjunction with systemic treatments.
o Complication Management: Identification and management of complications arising from the interaction of systemic therapies and neurosurgical procedures.
o Therapy-Induced Neurotoxicity: Addressing neurotoxic effects of systemic treatments and their implications for surgical planning.
o Interdisciplinary Approaches: Enhancing collaboration between oncologists and neurosurgeons to optimize patient outcomes.
o Case Studies: Clinical case studies illustrating successful integrations of systemic therapy and neurosurgical interventions.
o Future Directions: Emerging trends and future research directions in the combined approach to brain metastasis treatment.

By contributing to this collection, authors will help advance our understanding of the effective integration of systemic targeted therapies into neurosurgical practice to improve outcomes for patients with brain metastases.

Keywords: Brain Metastasis Surgery, Systemic Targeted Therapy, Neurosurgical Outcomes, Cancer Metastasis Treatment, Oncology and Neurosurgery, Targeted Cancer Therapy, Surgical Management of Brain Tumors

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.