Metastases of the Brain

Page 1 2 3

What is Metastases of the Brain?

Brain metastases are the most feared and common complication of widespread cancer in the body, and as such are a significant cause of death and ill health amongst people with cancer. Metastasis is the mechanism by which cancer spreads from the place from which it initially began (the 'primary') to distant locations in the body. For instance a cancer beginning in the lung and spreading (metastasising) to the brain.

Who gets Metastases of the Brain?

Brain metastases occur in approximately 15% of adult cancer patients and 6% of child cancer patients.

Predisposing Factors

The majority of brain tumours are spread from past or current cancers of the lung , breast and colon.

Progression

Most cancer cells reach the brain via the bloodstream. Less commonly they may travel by direct spread from surrounding structures such as the skull or sinuses in the head. Brain cancers disrupt the function of surrounding brain tissue by displacing or compressing structures as the tumour increases in size.

Page 1 2 3