Metastases are secondary malignant neoplasms that occur when the tumor cells move from the original focus. Metastases in the brain are observed about five times more often than its primary cancer.
Mechanism of metastasis of cancer in the brain
The movement of malignant cells can occur through the blood and lymphatic vessels or when the tumor grows into neighboring organs (so-called implantation or regional metastases). It should be noted that the spread of metastases with blood flow occurs in the late, that is, the third and fourth, stages of cancer.
The types of cancer that can give metastases to the brain include:
- lung cancer (adenocarcinoma, small cell cancer);
- breast cancer (the most dangerous is the protocol subspecies);
- melanoma;
- cancer of the gastrointestinal tract;
- prostate cancer;
- ovarian cancer.
Types of diseases in the list are arranged in descending order of the frequency of metastasis in the brain. Approximately 60% of cases of metastasis in the brain occur in lung cancer, and about 25% in breast cancer in women. Cancer of the ovaries or prostate metastases to the brain is extremely rare, although such cases are fixed.
Symptoms of metastasis in the brain
The appearance of metastases, as a rule, is accompanied by:
- nausea (in the absence of any reasons that can provoke it);
- dizziness and headaches ;
- memory loss, memory problems and elementary calculations;
- speech impairment;
- decreased vision, the appearance of double vision in the eyes;
- violation of gait and general coordination of movements;
- weakness in the limbs;
- emotional instability and changes in character;
- seizures and epileptic seizures;
- general deterioration of health.
Diagnosis of brain cancer
The most effective method for detecting both primary tumors and metastases in the brain is MRI using contrast agents. CT of the brain, like MRI without contrast, is considered less informative, since it is impossible to accurately determine the location and boundaries of the tumor.
Life expectancy with metastases in the brain
At oncological diseases at the late stages, when there is a process of metastasizing the tumor, the predictions are always quite unfavorable. In the case of metastases in the brain, the situation is aggravated by the fact that the tumor causes serious disturbances in all life processes. At the same time, surgical removal of a malignant lesion is extremely difficult, and often impossible.
With timely diagnosis and treatment, metastasis allows to prolong a person's life for a period of up to 6-12 months. But even in the best cases, the life span at this stage of cancer does not exceed 2 years.