• Pantaleo Romanelli, Alfredo Conti, Antonio Pontoriero, Giuseppe Kenneth Ricciardi, Francesco Tomasello, Costantino De Renzis, Gualtiero Innocenzi, Vincenzo Esposito, and Giampaolo Cantore.
• Department of Neurosurgery, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Neuromed, Pozzilli 86077, Italy. radiosurgery2000@yahoo.com
• Neurosurg Focus. 2009 Dec 1;27(6):E8.

AbstractGlioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a devastating malignant brain tumor characterized by resistance to available therapeutic approaches and relentless malignant progression that includes widespread intracranial invasion, destruction of normal brain tissue, progressive disability, and death. Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) and fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy (fSRT) are increasingly used in patients with recurrent GBM to complement traditional treatments such as resection, conventional external beam radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. Both SRS and fSRT are powerful noninvasive therapeutic modalities well suited to treat focal neoplastic lesions through the delivery of precise, highdose radiation. Although no randomized clinical trials have been performed, a variety of retrospective studies have been focused on the use of SRS and fSRT for recurrent GBMs. In addition, state-of-the-art neuroimaging techniques, such as MR spectroscopic imaging, diffusion tensor tractography, and nuclear medicine imaging, have enhanced treatment planning methods leading to potentially improved clinical outcomes. In this paper the authors reviewed the current applications and efficacy of SRS and fSRT in the treatment of GBM, highlighting the value of these therapies for recurrent focal disease.

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