Brain metastases.

Brain metastases are a common complication of cancer and alter patient management more than metastases at any other site of distant progression. Supportive therapies include steroids and antiseizure medications. Definitive treatments include radiation therapy, surgery, and chemotherapy.

Brain metastases: old problem, new strategies.

Brain metastases from breast cancer are a common complication of the disease and alter the management of patients more than any other site of distant progression. Certain subgroups of patients are at high risk for developing CNS disease, warranting targeted research and perhaps screening for occult disease. Data from studies that include other solid tumor histologies provide the bulk of supporting evidence for the use of therapies, such as steroids, antiepileptic drugs, surgery, and radiation.

Stroke in cancer patients.

Cancer patients are at increased risk for stroke from direct and indirect effects of their malignancy. Some tumors are at high risk for cerebrovascular complications. Certain stroke mechanisms are specific to cancer, such as compression and occlusion of cerebral vessels by tumor, coagulopathy predisposing to hemorrhage and thrombosis, and treatment-related atherosclerosis.

Treatment of brain metastases.

Brain metastases are a common complication of cancer, found in approximately 20% of patients at autopsy. The diagnosis is usually established by neuroimaging and carries a poor overall prognosis. Supportive therapies, such as corticosteroids, anticonvulsants, and anticoagulants, are necessary for most patients to address the common medical complications that often accompany brain metastases.