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A metastatic brain tumor is a collection of cancer cells that develop somewhere else in the body and then spread (metastasize) to the brain and grow there. In most cases, the cancer will also have spread to other areas of the body.

In most cases, the first (primary) cancer was found and treated, but treatment did not prevent the cancer cells from spreading. Signs and symptoms of a metastatic brain tumor may occur months or even years after treatment for the primary cancer. In very rare cases, these symptoms may be the first sign of the primary cancer.

What are the causes?

This condition is caused by cancer. Among men, the most common cause of a metastatic brain tumor is lung cancer. Among women, the most common cause is breast cancer. Other kinds of cancer can also cause this condition, including:

1. Cancer of the skin (melanoma).
2. Cancer of the large intestine.
3. Cancer of the kidney.
4. Cancer of the prostate.

What increases the risk?

You are more likely to develop this condition if you have or have had cancer.

What are the signs or symptoms?

Symptoms of this condition depend on the location of the tumor within the brain. They may include:

1. Headache. This is often the first symptom. It may be worse in the morning and improve after vomiting.
2. Nausea and vomiting.
3. Vision, hearing, or speech changes and problems.
4. Seizures.
5. Inability to walk, loss of balance, or weakness and numbness on one side of the body or in an arm or leg.
6. Changes in mood, personality, memory, or thinking.
7. Changes in weight or energy.

How is this diagnosed?

This condition is diagnosed based on a medical history and a physical exam, including a neurological exam. Brain imaging tests will also be done, such as a CT scan or MRI. A sample of the tumor will be taken and studied in a lab (biopsy) to confirm the diagnosis. This will also determine the grade of the tumor, which may be low or high. High-grade tumors grow faster.

If the biopsy shows that this is a metastatic brain tumor, additional testing will be done to determine where the cancer came from. This could include tests such as full-body CT scans and PET scans. Blood tests called tumor markers may also be done. You may need to have additional procedures, such as colonoscopy, to help determine where the cancer came from.

You may need to work with a health care provider who specializes in cancer treatment (oncologist).

How is this treated?

Treatment depends on the type of cancer you have and your overall health. It also depends on the size and location of your tumor or tumors. A combination of therapies is often required. The most common treatments include:

1. Surgery to remove the brain tumor or tumors. Once cancer has spread to the brain from other areas of the body, surgery is not used to treat the primary location of the cancer.
2. High-energy rays (radiation therapy) to help shrink or kill the brain tumor. There are different types of radiation therapy, including intensity-modulated radiation therapy, proton beam therapy, and stereotactic radiation therapy (radiosurgery).
3. Chemotherapy. This is the use of medicines to shrink or kill the tumor. The medicines can be given by injection or as a pill.
4. Targeted therapy. This uses substances that injure or kill cancer cells without affecting normal cells.
5. Immunotherapy. This is the use of medicines to boost the body's defense system (immune system) to kill the tumor cells.

You may be given medicines to help control pain, nausea, and seizures.

Your health care provider may also refer you to physical, occupational, or speech therapy, or a combination of these therapies, as part of your treatment.

Follow these instructions at home:

1. Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
2. Consider joining a support group.
3. Work with your health care provider to manage any side effects that you experience during treatment.
4. Do exercises and activities as told by your health care provider or therapist.
5. Keep all follow-up visits. This is important. Your health care provider will closely monitor you for any signs that the cancer is returning. You may need more frequent visits with your health care provider as well as periodic imaging studies to determine whether the brain tumor and the primary cancer are responding to treatment.

Contact a health care provider if:

1. You have worsening symptoms or symptoms that have returned.
2. You cannot eat or drink what you need.

Get help right away if:

1. You have a seizure, particularly if this is a new symptom.
2. You have a fever.
3. You have new symptoms, such as vision problems or trouble walking.

Summary

1. A metastatic brain tumor is a collection of cancer cells that develop somewhere else in the body and then spread to the brain and grow there. In most cases, the cancer will have also spread to other areas of the body.
2. Treatment depends on the type of cancer you have and your overall health. It also depends on the size and location of your tumor or tumors.
3. Contact a health care provider if your symptoms return or get worse. Get help right away if you have a seizure, a fever, or new symptoms such as vision problems or trouble walking.

This information is not intended to replace advice given to you by your health care provider. Make sure you discuss any questions you have with your health care provider.