21-80 years old patients with radiological confirmed brain metastases (5-25 lesions)
Histologically proven malignancy of primary cancer
ECOG performance status ≤ 2
Maximum lesion or cavity size ≤ 5cm
* For patients with large (≥ 3cm) lesions, a neurosurgical consult is recommended as the risk of cerebral oedema and hydrocephalus is higher with RT. A Ventricular-peritoneal shunt/ surgical excision may be required prior to planning of RT
* If brain surgery or other invasive procedures are performed, the treatment can only begin at least 2-weeks post-procedure
Life expectancy of at least 6 months
Negative serum pregnancy test within 14 days prior to registration for women of childbearing potential
Women of childbearing potential and male participants who are sexually active must agree to use a medically effective means of birth control throughout protocol treatment
Not recommended or does not want Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS)
Agrees to be randomised to either HA-WBRT or HA-SIB-WBRT
You may not be if
Prior whole brain radiotherapy
o Prior SRS is not an exclusion. Details of treatment must be recorded.
Concurrent systemic cytotoxic treatment.
o If patient is on systemic treatment a treatment break of at least 7 days for immunotherapy or chemotherapy and 3 days for targeted therapy is required before and after radiotherapy.
Leptomeningeal disease
Extensive extracranial disease, not controlled by systemic treatment
Severe, active co-morbidity, defined as follows:
* Major medical or psychiatric illness, which in the investigator's opinion would interfere with the completion of therapy and follow up or with full understanding of the risks and potential complications of the therapy;
* Acute bacterial or fungal infection requiring intravenous antibiotics at the time of registration; note that patients switched from IV antibiotics and currently on oral antibiotics whose infection is assessed to be adequately treated or controlled are eligible.
* Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease exacerbation or other respiratory illness requiring hospitalization or precluding study therapy within 30 days prior to registration;
* Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) based upon current CDC definition; note, however, that HIV testing is not required for entry into this protocol. The need to exclude patients with AIDS from this protocol is necessary because the treatments involved in this protocol may be significantly immunosuppressive.
* Dementia, ongoing psychotic episodes or moderate-severe depression (PHQ-9).
* Recent stroke in the past 3 months
Pregnancy or women of childbearing potential and men who are sexually active and not willing/able to use medically acceptable forms of contraception;
ECOG performance status \>2 despite a duration of high dose steroids
Symptomatic brain metastases limiting ADLs
Rapid brain progression
Patients unable to give informed consent
Total tumour planning target volume (PTV) \>60cc
Radiological evidence of hydrocephalus
Contraindication to Gadolinium contrast-enhanced MRI brain
Patients who are unable to meet expected follow-up schedule (e.g. non-resident patients)
Patients with diagnoses of small cell carcinoma, lymphoma or primary brain tumour
