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Metastatic Brain Tumor
Alternate Names : Brain Tumor - Metastatic, Brain Tumor - Secondary, Cancer - Brain Tumor (Secondary)
Definition
Metastatic brain tumor involves a mass of cancerous cells in the brain that have spread from another part of the body.
Pictures & Images
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Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
Metastatic (secondary) brain tumor occurs when there is a tumor in an area of the body, most commonly the lungs or the breast, and cells from that tumor break off, travel in the bloodstream (metastasize), and lodge in the brain. Other tumors that commonly spread to the brain include melanoma, kidney cancer, and germ cell tumors (such as testicular or ovarian cancers).
Tumors may be localized to a small area, invasive (spread to nearby areas), benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous). They can directly destroy brain cells, or they may indirectly damage cells by producing inflammation, compressing other parts of the brain as the tumor grows, inducing cerebral edema (brain swelling), and causing increased intracranial pressure (the pressure within the skull).
Classification of metastatic brain tumors depends on the exact site of the tumor within the brain, type of tissue involved, original location of the tumor, and other factors.
Metastatic brain tumors occur in about one-fourth of all cancers that metastasize (spread through the body). They are much more common than primary brain tumors. They occur in approximately 10-30% of adult cancers.
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• Definition
• Metastatic Brain Tumor Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
• Metastatic Brain Tumor Symptoms & Signs
• Metastatic Brain Tumor Prevention
• Metastatic Brain Tumor Diagnosis & Tests
• Metastatic Brain Tumor Treatment
• Metastatic Brain Tumor Prognosis
• Metastatic Brain Tumor Complications
• Metastatic Brain Tumor Support Groups
• Calling Your Health Care Provider
• Pictures & Images
Topics that might be of interest to you Diseases & Conditions
• Brain Herniation
• Breast Cancer
• Cancer
• Increased Intracranial Pressure
• Lung Cancer - Small Cell
• Melanoma
• Ovarian Cancer
• Primary Brain Tumor
• Renal Cell Carcinoma
• Stress Gastritis
• Testicular Cancer
• Tumor
Tests & Exams
• Biopsy
• Cerebral Angiography
• Chest X-Ray
• Cranial CT Scan
• CSF Collection
• CT Scan
• EEG
• Mammography
• MRI of the Head
Other Topics
• Advanced Care Directives
• Benign
• Cancer - Resources
• Consciousness - Decreased
• Eyes/Pupils Different Size
• Fatigue
• Fever
• Headache
• Invasive
• Malaise
• Malignancy
• Movement - Uncoordinated
• Nausea and Vomiting
• Pain Medications
• Radiation Therapy
• Safety
• Seizures
• Speech Impairment (Adult)
• Swelling
• Vision Problems
• Weakness
Review Date : 11/7/2002
Reviewed By : Ezra E. W. Cohen, M.D., Department of Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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