Brain Metastasis Questions & Answers

Updated: Nov 21, 2022
  • Author: Victor Tse, MD, PhD; Chief Editor: Nicholas Lorenzo, MD, CPE, MHCM, FAAPL  more...
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Questions & Answers

Overview

What is brain metastasis?

What are the signs and symptoms of brain metastasis?

Which lab tests are performed in the workup of brain metastasis?

What is the role of imaging studies in the workup of brain metastasis?

Which imaging studies are performed in the workup of brain metastasis?

How are brain metastasis treated?

What are the indications for surgical resection of brain metastasis?

What is the prevalence of brain metastasis?

Where are brain metastases found?

What is the pathophysiology of brain metastasis?

What are the most common origins of brain metastasis?

What is the main source of brain metastasis in women?

How frequently does melanoma metastasize to the brain?

How does the origin of a single brain metastasis differ from multiple metastases?

What are the sexual predilections of brain metastasis?

Which age groups have the highest prevalence of brain metastasis?

What is the prevalence of brain metastasis in the US?

Presentation

Which clinical history findings are characteristic of brain metastasis?

Which physical findings are characteristic of brain metastasis?

DDX

Which conditions should be included in the differential diagnoses of brain metastasis?

What are the differential diagnoses for Brain Metastasis?

Workup

What is the role of lab testing in the workup of brain metastasis?

What is the role of imaging studies in the workup of brain metastasis?

Which systemic imaging studies are performed in the workup of brain metastasis?

What is the role of neuraxis imaging in the workup of brain metastasis?

What is the role of diffusion-perfusion MRI in the workup of brain metastasis?

What is the role of MR spectrometry and PET scanning in the workup of brain metastasis?

When is tissue diagnosis indicated for brain metastasis?

What is the role of brain biopsy in the workup of brain metastasis?

Treatment

How is brain metastasis treated?

How are headache and edema treated in brain metastasis?

How are seizures treated in brain metastasis?

What is the role of chemotherapy in the treatment of brain metastasis?

What is the role of radiation therapy in the treatment of brain metastasis?

What is the role of stereotactic radiosurgery in the treatment of brain metastasis?

What are indications for surgical resection of brain metastasis?

What are the surgical morbidity and mortality rates for brain metastasis?

When is surgical resection of brain metastasis contraindicated?

What is the efficacy of surgical resection for the treatment of brain metastasis?

What is the role of multimodality therapy in the treatment of brain metastasis?

How is recurrent brain metastasis treated?

How is a single brain metastasis treated in patients without prior whole-brain radiation therapy (WBRT)?

How are brain metastasis with unknown primary diseases treated?

Medications

What are the goals of drug treatment for brain metastasis?

Which medications in the drug class Monoclonal Antibodies are used in the treatment of Brain Metastasis?

Which medications in the drug class Antineoplastics are used in the treatment of Brain Metastasis?

Which medications in the drug class General Anesthetics, Systemic are used in the treatment of Brain Metastasis?

Which medications in the drug class Anticonvulsants are used in the treatment of Brain Metastasis?

Which medications in the drug class Corticosteroids are used in the treatment of Brain Metastasis?