Metastatic brain tumors are the most common type of brain tumor, occurring ~10× more often than primary brain tumors.
Key Statistics
- ~200,000+ new cases per year in the U.S.
- Develop in 20–40% of all cancer patients
- Most common primary sources: lung (~40–50%), breast (~15–25%), melanoma (~5–20%), colorectal, and renal
- ~50% of patients present with a single lesion; ~50% with multiple
- Median survival without treatment: ~1 month; with multimodal therapy: 6–24+ months depending on primary and performance status
Symptoms
- Headache (~50%)
- Focal weakness or sensory loss (~40%)
- Seizures (~15–25%)
- Cognitive or behavioral change
- Ataxia (cerebellar lesions)
Treatment
- Surgical resection for single accessible lesions >3 cm or causing mass effect — improves survival and neurologic function
- Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) for ≤3 cm lesions or as adjunct after surgery
- Whole-brain radiation therapy for multiple lesions or leptomeningeal disease
- Systemic therapy (immunotherapy, targeted agents) with increasing CNS penetration
Common Symptoms
- Headache
- Seizure
- Weakness on one side
- Cognitive changes
- Vision disturbances
- Balance problems
- Nausea / vomiting
Treatment Options
Craniotomy for resection
Stereotactic biopsy
Stereotactic radiosurgery coordination
Multidisciplinary tumor board review
Dr. Marcus Stephens
Board-Certified Neurosurgeon
Providing expert metastatic brain tumors treatment at Nova Brain and Spine of GA in Hampton, Georgia. Serving patients throughout Southern Georgia and the Atlanta metro area.