This phase II trial studies the neurological function in patients with multiple brain metastases undergoing stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) or stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT). Stereotactic body radiation therapy uses special equipment to position a patient and deliver radiation to tumors with high precision. This method can kill tumor cells with fewer doses over a shorter period and cause less damage to normal tissue. Assessment of neurocognitive function may help show that SRS preserves neurological function in patients with multiple brain metastases better than SBRT.
Pathologically proven solid tumor malignancy (except for small cell lung cancer [SCLC], germ cell tumor)
Karnofsky performance status >= 60
1 to 10 brain metastases (mets) (no more than two lesions and/or cavities >= 3 cm in maximum diameter)
Maximum diameter of brain metastasis or resection cavity is 6 cm
Patient with diagnosis of glioma, or other World Health Organization (WHO) grade II - IV primary brain tumor
Prior brain surgery =< 14 days prior to enrollment
Planned chemotherapy during radiosurgery
Leptomeningeal metastases