What is brain metastasis?
Metastatic brain tumors are formed by cancer cells that spread to the brain from elsewhere in the body. In most cases, metastatic brain tumors are caused by carcinomas of the lung, breast, and skin (melanoma). Metastatic brain tumors are the most common types of brain cancer.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms produced by metastatic brain tumors are directly related to their location within the brain, and may include headaches, numbness, weakness, confusion, imbalance, and seizures.
How are metastatic brain tumors diagnosed?
- An MRI or CT scan of the brain is usually ordered when neurological symptoms occur.
- If metastatic disease of the brain is suspected and the patient has no previous history of cancer, a diagnostic work-up will be ordered to help locate the origin of the cancer.
- If an area of the body (not in the brain) is found to be a suspicious site for a primary cancer, often this site will be biopsied first to determine treatment options. If a primary cancer site is not found, a brain biopsy may be necessary to determine the diagnosis.
- A biopsy may not be necessary if a person has a previous history of cancer.
What are the treatment options?
Treatment is dependant upon the patient’s overall health or performance status, location and number of brain/spine lesions, location and severity of the primary cancer, and the type of primary cancer. Treatment may include:
- Surgery: Although metastatic brain tumors can be treated without surgery, research has found that certain groups of patients experience higher rates of survival and an improved quality of life following surgery. Advances in neurosurgical techniques and
