Overview of Brain Metastasis and Treatment Modalities

Abstract

Brain metastasis (BM) is the commonest form of intracranial malignancy, historically considered a single disease entity with a gloomy outcome, often resulting in a palliative approach to clinical management. Primary cancers that most frequently spread to the brain are lung, breast, and renal carcinomas as well as malignant melanomas. Global incidence of brain metastasis is on the rise but may still be underestimated. About 67% of patients with BM present with either generalized or focal symptoms and sometimes both. A thorough clinical workup and application of verified prognostic scores lead to optimal stratification and strongly influences therapeutic decisions and patients’ outcomes. Management is multidisciplinary and involves symptomatic treatment, use of best supportive care, radiotherapy, surgery as well as targeted therapy.