Global management of brain metastasis from renal cell carcinoma

During the last decade, major improvements have been made in the treatment of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) with the development and use of multiple tyrosine kinase inhibitors and immune checkpoint inhibitors. Brain metastases in RCC patients (BM-RCC) is associated with poor outcome and their management represents a challenge for clinicians. In most of case, brain metastases in this context require local intervention such as radiotherapy, stereotactic radiotherapy/stereotactic radiosurgery and whole brain radiation therapy. Despite efficacy in extracranial metastases, systemic therapies have modest antitumoral effect on cerebral lesions. In this review, we highlight the benefits and pitfalls of the available therapies in BM-RCC.

Automated summary

In the past decade, significant progress has been made in the treatment of renal cell carcinoma with the development and use of various drugs. However, the management of brain metastases in RCC patients remains challenging. Local intervention and systemic therapies have limitations in treating cerebral lesions.