Radiochirurgie stéréotaxique pour les métastases cérébrales nouvellement diagnostiquées provenant de cellules rénales, de mélanome et de sarcome

Date de début de l'étude : 2 février 1999

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically confirmed renal cell carcinoma, melanoma, or sarcoma with 1-3 newly diagnosed intraparenchymal brain metastases based on contrast-enhanced MRI (CT scan acceptable if patients have a medical contraindication to MRI) No lesion greater than 4.0 cm in diameter and, if multiple lesions are present, no more than one greater than 3.0 cm in diameter No limitation on the extent of extracranial metastatic disease No metastases in the brain stem, midbrain, pons, or medulla No leptomeningeal metastases documented by MRI or CSF evaluation No metastases within 10 mm of optic nerve or chiasm No history of multiple liver metastases PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: ECOG 0-2 Life expectancy: At least 3 months Hematopoietic: Absolute neutrophil count greater than 1,000/mm^3 Platelet count greater than 50,000/mm^3 Hemoglobin greater than 8 g/dL Hepatic: Not specified Renal: Not specified Other: No major medical illness No psychoses Not pregnant or nursing Fertile patients must use effective contraception PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: Not specified Chemotherapy: Prior chemotherapy allowed Systemic chemotherapy may be continued at the discretion of investigator after completion of radiosurgery Endocrine therapy: Not specified Radiotherapy: No prior cranial radiotherapy Prior or concurrent radiotherapy to noncranial sites allowed Surgery: No prior surgical resection for brain metastases Prior stereotactic biopsy for diagnostic purposes allowed