Brain metastases The brain is a favored site for metastatic tumors. Brain metastases are commonly seen in the elderly, probably due to the increased incidence of substantial visceral tumors with increasing age. Hematologic tumors such as lymphoma and leukemia can also metastasize to the central system. Tumors can metastasize not only to the brain parenchyma but also to the meninges. Besides leukemia and lymphoma, the primary tumors most likely to have brain metastasis are lung cancer, breast cancer, and malignant melanoma. Neurological symptoms may be the first symptoms of patients with malignant tumors of other organs, especially lung cancer.
Pathologically: brain metastases from carcinoma and melanoma are easily recognizable, have clear borders with surrounding tissues, and usually appear as single or multiple spherical occupancies. A larger area of brain edema caused by metastases may be present around the lesion, which is involved in the formation of the occupying effect. Microscopically, metastatic carcinoma and the primary lesion look similar in morphology. Sometimes, metastatic cancer invades the soft meninges, and malignant tumor cells can be detected in the patient’s cerebrospinal fluid, which can also be accompanied by invasion of the brain parenchyma. Metastatic cancer invasion of the dura mater can also occur, especially in patients with primary prostate cancer, breast cancer and lung cancer.
Clinical features: The clinical manifestations of metastatic cancer include persistent increase in intracranial pressure and progressive worsening of focal neurological deficit symptoms. Cerebral nerve palsy can occur after metastatic cancer invades the soft meninges