Brain metastases
Overview
A brain metastasis occurs when cancer cells, which originated in a different part of the body, spread (metastasize) to the brain. These tumors are considered secondary brain tumors, in contrast to those which originate in the brain. Brain metastases are the most common cause of brain cancer. The most common cancer entities which metastasize to the brain are lung, breast, colon, kidney, and skin cancer. Brain metastases can occur months or even years after their original cancer is treated.
Diagnosis
As these metastatic tumors grow, they put pressure on different parts of the brain, including those that control movement, speech, sight, or other vital functions. This pressure can cause symptoms including headaches, vomiting, nausea and seizures. For some people, the symptoms caused by a brain metastasis are the first signs of an unknown cancer. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, consult our specialists to determine the best course of action.
Your doctor may then recommend imaging studies to determine the cause of your symptoms. Most brain cancers are detected by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography scans (CT). If there are any signs of a mass in the imaging studies, your medical team may recommend a stereotactic biopsy. This involves taking a tissue sample for further analysis, and gives your medical team invaluable information, including confirming the diagnosis of a brain metastasis and determining where the cancer originated (e.g. lung cancer).
Treatment
Every step in the diagnostic procedure helps the GMI team tailor each treatment plan to each patient, taking into consideration your individual case and personal preferences. Your treatment options vary greatly depending on several factors such as the size and location of the brain tumor, how quickly the tumor is growing, your age and your overall health. To determine the best course of action each patient’s case is discussed in a multidisciplinary tumor board, where several experts from our team come together to create your comprehensive treatment plan.
For a limited number of cases, a dedicated team of surgeons or radiation oncologists will eradicate the tumor using the most modern treatment concepts. An innovative treatment option your medical team may recommend is stereotactic radiotherapy, in which the tumor is treated over the course of one to five specialized radiotherapy sessions. The GMI Radiation Oncology team has received world-wide recognition for implementing high-precision radiotherapy techniques. For cases where the tumor is at a more advanced stage, our Medical Oncology team will propose the best treatment plan for each patient, which will include the newest regimen of systemic therapies, such as targeted therapy, chemotherapy and / or immunotherapy. In some cases, the medication will be directly delivered into the brain fluid through a process called intrathecal therapy.
Why GMI
At the GMI German Oncology Center, a dedicated team of internationally acclaimed physicians guides each brain metastasis patient through their entire journey, from their diagnostic work-up to their treatment and post-treatment care.
The GMI team will never offer a simple “one size fits all” approach to any patient. We believe each patient’s case is as individual as they are and strive to find the best solution for each of our patients, taking their specific case and diagnosis, their lifestyle, and choices into account.
We believe each of our patients is more than their diagnosis. That’s why our dedicated paramedics team supports brain metastasis patients on their journey by offering more than just expert medical care. We offer psychological help, integrative oncology services (including yoga classes, and acupuncture) and have a GMI Patient Advocacy Program.
Adhering to our passion for innovation, and desire to progress the medical field, the GMI German Oncology Center both initiates and participates in several clinical trials in which the most modern and advanced treatment concepts are tested.
