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Brain Metastases


The Basics


Written by the doctors and editors at UpToDate � �
What are brain metastases? " � Brain metastases are cancerous tumors in the brain that have spread to the brain from another part of the body. Cancers that commonly spread to the brain include lung, breast, kidney, colorectal, and skin (melanoma) cancers. � �
Brain metastases are different from primary brain cancer. Primary brain cancer happens when normal cells in the brain change into abnormal cells and grow out of control. Brain metastases are made up of cancer cells from another part of the body. � �
What are the symptoms of brain metastases? " � Brain metastases can cause different symptoms, including: � �
  • Headache " � The headache is often worse when you bend over, cough, or sneeze. Some people have nausea and vomiting with their headache.
  • Trouble moving your arm or leg on one side of your body
  • Memory or thinking problems
  • Changes in mood, behavior, or personality
  • Seizures " � Seizures are waves of abnormal electrical activity in the brain. They can make people pass out, or move or behave strangely.

All of these symptoms can also be caused by conditions that are not brain metastases. But if you have cancer and get any of these symptoms, tell your doctor or nurse. � �
Is there a test for brain metastases? " � Yes. The test most commonly done to check for brain metastases is an imaging test called an MRI. Imaging tests create pictures of the inside of the body. � �
Another test that is sometimes done is a brain biopsy. For a brain biopsy, a doctor takes a small sample of tissue from the tumor. Then another doctor looks at the sample under a microscope. � �
How are brain metastases treated? " � Treatment depends on many factors, such as: � �
  • Your symptoms
  • How far the cancer has spread in your body
  • Your overall health
  • Your prognosis " � This is the term doctors use to describe how long they expect you to live.

Treatment for brain metastases can include one or more of the following: � �
  • Surgery to remove all or part of a tumor
  • Radiation therapy " � Radiation kills cancer cells. Doctors use radiation in different ways to treat brain metastases. With "whole brain radiation therapy, " � the whole brain is treated with radiation. With "stereotactic radiosurgery, " � the radiation is aimed only at the area with cancer.

People also usually have other treatments to help with symptoms or problems caused by the brain metastases. These might include: � �
  • Medicines called steroids that can reduce swelling in the brain " � These are different from the steroids athletes take to build muscle.
  • Medicines to manage and prevent seizures

What happens if my brain metastases come back or spread? " � It depends on your individual situation. Your doctor might recommend that you have more treatment for the brain metastases. This can include surgery or radiation therapy. It sometimes also includes chemotherapy, which is the term doctors use to describe a group of medicines that kill cancer cells. Or your doctor might recommend treating your symptoms only and helping you feel more comfortable. � �
Will I need to stop driving? " � It depends on your symptoms. Talk with your doctor about whether it is safe for you to continue to drive, given your symptoms. � �
If you have a seizure, you will need to be seizure-free for a certain amount of time before you can drive again. Each state and country has its own rules. � �
What else should I do? " � Its important to follow all of your doctor's instructions about visits and tests. It's also important to talk to your doctor about any side effects or problems you have during treatment. � �
Getting treated for brain metastases involves making many choices, such as what treatment to have. Always let your doctors and nurses know how you feel about a treatment. Any time you are offered a treatment, ask: � �
  • What are the benefits of this treatment? Is it likely to help me live longer? Will it reduce or prevent symptoms?
  • What are the downsides to this treatment?
  • Are there other options besides this treatment?
  • What happens if I do not have this treatment?

All topics are updated as new evidence becomes available and our peer review process is complete. � �
This topic retrieved from UpToDate on: Nov 04, 2014. � �
Topic 86632 Version 3.0 � �
Release: 22.8 - C22.208 � �
� � 2014 UpToDate, Inc. All rights reserved. � �

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This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you.The use of UpToDate content is governed by the UpToDate Terms of Use. � �2014 UpToDate, Inc. All rights reserved. � �

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