Lung cancer that got in the brain and spine--sad, graphic.

AI Overview

Lung Cancer Metastasis to the Brain: Symptoms, Diagnosis ... Lung cancer spreading to the brain and spine, known as metastasis, means cancer cells have traveled from the lungs to form secondary tumors or affect tissues in the central nervous system, causing symptoms like severe headaches, weakness, balance issues, confusion, seizures, or back pain, and is managed with radiation, surgery, targeted drugs, or immunotherapy, significantly impacting quality of life and prognosis.

How it Happens

Cancer cells break away from the primary lung tumor, travel through the bloodstream or lymphatic system, and establish new growths in the brain or spinal cord.

This can involve tumors in brain tissue (brain metastases) or spreading to the membranes (leptomeningeal disease).

Common Symptoms

Brain Metastases:

Severe headaches, often with nausea/vomiting.

Memory problems, confusion, personality changes.

Weakness or numbness in limbs, balance issues, seizures, speech difficulties.

Spine Metastases (Spinal Cord Compression):

Back pain that can radiate to arms, legs, or buttocks.

Weakness, numbness, or trouble walking.

Bowel or bladder control problems.

Diagnosis & Treatment

Diagnosis: MRI, CT scans, PET scans, and sometimes a lumbar puncture (spinal tap) to check spinal fluid.

Treatment Options:

Radiation: Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) or whole-brain/spinal radiation.

Surgery: To remove large tumors or relieve spinal cord pressure.

Medications: Chemotherapy, targeted therapies, immunotherapy.

Supportive Care: Pain management, steroids. Key Points Lung cancer is a common source of brain and spine metastases, especially Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC) and certain Non-Small Cell Lung Cancers (NSCLC) with specific mutations (EGFR, HER2). Early detection and management are crucial for improving outcomes and quality of life. Symptoms of metastatic lung cancer Symptoms if lung cancer has spread to the brain Cancer that has spread to the brain might cause any of the following symptoms: mem... Cancer Research UK About Brain and Spine Metastasis | Duke Department of Neurosurgery Patients who develop brain and spine metastasis can experience: * Nausea and vomiting * Bladder or bowel control problems Treatmen... Duke Department of Neurosurgery NSCLC and brain metastasis - Lung Cancer The alarming risk of brain metastases in lung cancer. Approximately 16-20% of individuals with lung cancer develop brain metastase... Boehringer Ingelheim end