Abstract
Relevance: Metastatic brain lesion (MBL) is a serious complication of the course of cancer. The advances in medicinal treatment have increased patients’ overall survival and, thereby, the MBL frequency. On the other hand, opportunities for the treatment of patients with MBL are expanding. Microsurgical techniques, stereotactic radiation therapy, and radiosurgery are actively implemented. Effective therapy and local control of MBL are of paramount importance for the prognosis and quality of life (QOL) of patients. This study aimed to investigate the influence of radiation therapy on quality of life assessment in patients with metastatic brain lesions. Results: The QOL analysis of patients with MBL showed that QOL mainly depends on the localization, histo-biological properties of the tumor, the severity of preoperative neurological deficit, as well as age and gender. MBL control may be important for maintaining the patient’s QOL but does not always affect survival, which is determined by the activity and prevalence of the disease. Conclusion: The QOL of patients with MBL is the defining criterion for assessing their condition and the effect of the therapy. This is because the limitations of the normal existence of the patient arising from a chronic disease are often more important to the patient than the symptoms of the disease.