Metastases in the brain: a terrible diagnosis and a real prognosis

It is not necessary to be a doctor to reliably know that almost all malignant tumors differ in their "ability" to metastasize, that is, rapidly flowing with the current of lymph or blood to other organs. Moving along this method in the body, it is not surprising that cancer cells can give rise to new tumors, which were called metastases.

Let's try to determine what the metastases are positioning in the brain. First of all, we will clarify that these are neoplasms formed from cancer cells that spread through the bloodstream to the brain from other oncological neoplasms in the body. This pathological process dominates in an average of 30% of patients with a cancer diagnosis. As medical practice shows, the most often diagnosed causes of metastases in the brain are skin, breast and lung cancer, however, the primary focus in some cases remains uncertain. There is a general rule that every systemic cancer pathology can give metastases to the brain, which is why it is necessary to identify their primary focus for determining the further scheme of productive treatment.

In medicine, there are such clinical pictures, when asymptomatic metastases occur in the brain, the symptoms manifest themselves in the vast majority of patients. To similar pathogenic factors carry the strengthened intracranial pressure, and also destruction of a tissue of a brain and focal irrigations. Increased pressure is often triggered by tumor growth, hydrocephalus, swelling of nearby brain tissues, and sometimes it happens that all three effects are combined in one patient. However, more often characteristic patients may experience atypical symptoms, for example, migraine attacks, digestive disorders, mental abnormalities and lethargy.

If we talk about focal irrigation or destruction of tissues, then similar anomalies are accompanied by epileptic attacks, paralysis, visual impairment, as well as other neurological pathologies, depending on the area of dislocation of metastases.

If metastases are diagnosed in the brain, the prognosis is not comforting and requires an immediate response from the lead specialist. In determining the individual approach to treatment, it is necessary to focus on such fundamental factors as the location of the focus of the pathology, the age of the patient, the nature of the tumor and its spread to other organs. For a couple of decades, brain metastases were considered incurable, however, according to the means of modern medicine, this opinion has changed significantly and a huge amount of funds have appeared in the fight against this pathological process. Here it is necessary to clarify that in some cases, progressive treatment is not effective, however, doctors recommend not to despair.

Often, treatment is limited to surgery, however, it is appropriate only when a single metastasis is detected or in the case of a number of metastases that cause a clear violation of a particular function. Simply put, the operation is allowed in cases where metastases in the brain are the only sign of the disease, in other cases a complex approach involving the administration of oral hormonal preparations, as well as a number of chemical therapies aimed at stopping the progression of the disease, is required.

One way or another, diagnose metastases in the brain and prescribe an alternative treatment should only an expert, and do it in a timely manner, only then there is a chance for a positive result and a gradual improvement in the overall condition.