Chapter 77 – Brain metastases†

摘要: Brain metastases are the most frequent neurological complication of cancer and common brain tumour type. Lung breast cancers, melanoma responsible for up to three-quarters metastatic lesions. Most patients exhibit either headache, seizures, focal deficits, cognitive or gait disorders, which severely impair quality life. best demonstrated by MRI, is sensitive but non-specific. The main differential diagnosis includes primary tumours, abscesses, vascular inflammatory Overall prognosis poor depends on age, extent activity systemic disease, number performance status. In about half patients, especially those with widespread uncontrolled malignancy, death heavily related extra-neural lesions, treatment cerebral disease doesn’t significantly improve survival. such aim stabilize deficit maintain Corticosteroids whole-brain radiotherapy usually fulfill this purpose. By contrast, limited metastases, good status controlled may benefit from aggressive as both life survival primarily Several efficacious therapeutic options including surgery, chemotherapy available these patients.