metastases. A new method of focused radiation (stereotactic radiotherapy) is now replacing neurosurgery in some centers for treatment of one or a low number of small brain metastases.
Hyperthermia in conjunction with radiation may improve local control of large lesions.
Biological Therapy Stimulating the immune system with biological response modifiers to reject
the tumor has already shown some degree of success, sometimes with less severe side effects than chemotherapy .
Giving moderate doses of interferon alpha three times a week under the skin (subcutaneously) has resulted in about a 20 percent response rate. Major advantages include self-administration by the patient or family members, minor side effects (controllable fever, chills and fatigue) and availability. The high cost of interferon-alpha is a drawback, but the two major companies that manufacture it both offer cost-assistance programs for those suffering financially because of the treatment.
Various doses of a new biological substance called interleukin-2 (IL-2) has had responses in approximately 25 percent of patients. Remarkable degrees of shrinkage have been observed in the liver (usually a very difficult site to treat), as well as in the lungs, lymph nodes , skin, bone and adrenal glands.
It is not necessary to receive so-called LAK cells (IL-2 or lymphokine-activated killer cells) or very high dose IL-2 to achieve this response rate. IL-2 can also be given subcutaneously in lower dosage, which allows patients to administer it to themselves, and also has fewer side effects.
