Untoward global effects of current guideline formulation of stereotactic radiotherapy for symptomatic brain metastases by international medical societies

The quality of evidence leading to new oncological treatments suffers shortcomings, as has recently been addressed for drug approvals. In this 'Personal view', we evaluate the unintended effects of adopting stereotactic radiosurgery as the standard of care for patients with limited number of symptomatic brain metastases and favourable prognostic factors in international guidelines in view of the limitations in the evidence of efficacy and effectiveness, with special focus on countries with relatively limited resources.