Prognostic factors and results of therapy were analysed in a retrospective examination of 44 operated patients with cerebral metastases. The patients were treated with surgery alone (n = 27) and with postoperative radiation or chemotherapy (n = 17) from January 1974 to June 1987. The median follow-up survival time was 281 days, the overall survival in one year was 27 %. A statistical analysis was performed in order to determine prognostic factors in the early phase after the operation. Location of metastases, adjuvant therapy and performance status were three variables with a significant influence on survival; it was shown that mainly the Karnofsky-index of the early postoperative phase is a significantly independent variable. When considering appropriate therapeutical strategies, quality of life was taken into account in the early postoperative phase as well as survival time. It showed that patients receiving adjuvant therapies experience an improvement in their postoperative quality of life in contrast to the group of patients who only underwent craniotomy. Although adjuvant therapy did not strongly influence the quality of life in this series, it is not advisable for patients who are in poor postoperative condition.