Metastatic Brain Tumours

What are Metastatic Brain Tumours?

In some forms of cancer the disease can spread from the original site of the tumour. The place in which the cancer first starts is known as the primary site and this tumour is referred to as the primary tumour. Cells are able to break away from the primary tumour and spread distantly from the original cancer site, through the blood circulation, lymphatic system or spinal fluid. This can involve either a single lesion (Metastasis) or multiple tumours (Metastases)..

Metastases can in theory spread to any point in the body, but for the purposes of Gamma Knife, only brain metastases are suitable for treatment. These tumours are referred to as metastases or secondary tumours. These metastases may be described as being solitary i.e. one only, or multiple where there are two or more. The most common types of cancers that can spread to the brain originate in the lung, breast, renal, colon, skin (melanoma) and kidney

What are the symptoms?

They include:

Declining hearing, tinnitus (a ringing noise) and loss of balance.
Headaches
Nausea and vomiting
Seizure
Weakness or numbness in parts of the body, such as the face, arms or legs
Problems with memory and confusion
Changes in behaviour and personality
Problems with balance and coordination
Problems with speech
Problems with swallowing

What are the causes of Metastatic Brain Tumours?

Metastatic brain tumours begin when cancer located in another organ of the body spreads to the brain. If your cancer started in your lung and has spread to your brain, the areas of cancer in the brain are made up of lung cancer cells.

This is different from having a cancer that first started in the brain (a primary brain cancer). In that case, the cancer is made up of brain cells that have become cancerous. Some people with brain metastases have no signs or symptoms and they are discovered during investigations of their primary tumour. Sometimes brain metastases are found before the primary cancer has been diagnosed. In a small number of cases it may not be possible to find the original cancer. In this situation, the tumour is known as a secondary brain tumour from an unknown primary.

How common are Metastatic Brain Tumours?

As more effective cancer diagnostics and treatments are developed, and as larger numbers of cancer patients live longer, an increasing number of patients are diagnosed with metastatic brain tumours. Estimates of incidence vary and could be some 630 cases per million population, with 40% suitable for treatment with radiosurgery. They are the most common brain tumour in adults. Sex differences play a role with lung, colon and renal cancers accounting for 80% of metastatic brain tumours in men, and breast, lung, colon and melanoma cancers accounting for 80% of metastatic brain tumours in women.

Diagnosing Metastatic Brain Tumours

You may have a number of tests to diagnose secondary brain cancer. Your doctor will examine you thoroughly. They will test your reflexes and may test the power and feeling in your arms and legs. They may also look into your eyes using a special light and lens (ophthalmoscope), to see if the nerve at the back of the eye is swollen. This can be a sign of raised pressure on the brain caused by a tumour.

You will have a brain CT or MRI scan.