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Brain Metastases

Brain metastases are clusters of malignant or cancerous cells that have spread from another part of the body to the brain. About 170,000 people will be diagnosed with brain metastases this year making it more common than many primary tumors, such as primary brain tumors (70,000 cases), lymphoma (89,190) or colon cancer (106,590).

  • It is common to say a person has "brain cancer" when the cancer has spread to the brain from another part of the body. However, with brain metastases, instead of having both brain cancer and breast cancer, a person has breast cancer that has spread to the brain.
  • The most common cancers that spread to the brain are lung cancer, breast cancer and melanoma. However, just about any cancer can spread to the brain.
  • Cancer treatments have become more advanced in recent years, allowing many patients to live longer with the disease than ever before. Unfortunately, brain metastases still occur in many patients sometimes months or even years after their original cancer treatment. There are many treatment options available for patients with brain metastases.

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IMPORTANT DOWNLOADS

Radiation Therapy for
Brain Metastases Brochure
Side Effects Chart
Questions to Ask
Your Doctor

WHAT TO EXPECT

Once a cancer diagnosis is made, you will likely talk with your primary care physician along with several cancer specialists to discuss what happens before, during and after treatment.

CLINICAL TRIALS

CLINICAL TRIALS

Cancer specialists regularly conduct studies to test new treatments. These studies are called clinical trials. Clinical trials are available through cancer doctors everywhere — not just in major cities, university centers or in large hospitals.

SIDE EFFECTS

SIDE EFFECTS

Most of the side effects of radiation therapy are limited to the area being treated. Short-term side effects are related to injury to normal rapidly dividing cells. They are usually temporary, mild and treatable.

TREATMENT TEAM

TREATMENT TEAM

While you undergo radiation therapy, a team of highly trained medical professionals will be working together to make sure you receive the best possible care.