Metastatic Brain Tumour - Things You Must Be Aware Of!

A brain tumour is much more likely to have originated from cancer in a different part of the body than in the brain. Studies have shown that 25% of cancers in various parts of the body give rise to metastatic tumours in the brain. These are five times more commonly occurring than primary brain tumours that originate in the brain itself. Sometimes metastatic brain tumours originate in a part of the body which cannot be located. This is then known as cancer of unknown primary (CUP) origin.

As per research conducted, colon cancer and prostate cancer are least likely to give rise to metastatic tumours in the brain. However, this does not mean that they will not give rise to metastatic brain tumours at all. The chances of it happening are merely diminished as compared to cancer in other organs of the body.

The formation of metastatic tumours in the brain interferes with the way the brain functions and often gives rise to various mental health issues and emotional disorders. Changes in personality and fluctuations in emotions are common among those cancer patients who have developed metastatic tumours in the brain. The treatment of these tumours through neurosurgery or even through radiation and chemotherapy are known to ease the symptom of personality changes.

Often, there are cases wherein complete removal of a metastatic tumour from the brain is not possible due to complications. Under such circumstances, neurosurgery is performed either to remove the tumour partly or to reduce the pressure created in the skull by the tumour. Surgery may also be done to decrease the size and volume of the tumour or to ease various symptoms of the condition.