What is the life expectancy and chances of treatment for lung cancer metastasis to the brain?
People with lung cancer may have metastasis sites. It may have spread to other body parts including the brain, lymph nodes, and others. These new cancer sites are called Mets. The Mets can affect the brain and the normal functioning of the human being. Lung cancer metastasis to the brain means that it has spread to the brain and its tissues. Lung cancer is the second most probable cause of death after cancer. It is the type of cancer that is responsible for 40% of deaths.
If you or anyone you know is going through the hard-to-treat symptoms of lung cancer, you should immediately consult a specialist or experts. In cases of emergency, you may also consider looking for the expert of Aster Prime Hospital. The doctors of the hospital work in collaboration to meet the ever-changing demands of the treatment and serve you with the best only.
Lung cancer, brain mets and the related facts
- Brain Mets can lead to severe causes of symptoms. It may include headaches, paralysis, mood swings, and others. Although the medical condition is not treatable, there are many therapies including radiation therapy helping to increase the chances of survival.
- The survival rate of the person affected with lung cancer that has spread to the brain depends on the severity of the condition and other risk factors.
What is the difference between brain cancer, lung cancer, and brain Mets?
Brain Mets are the secondary cancers. It primarily grows with lung cancer and later spreads to the brain. People who develop lung cancer are more likely to get affected by brain Mets than the chances of other developments like breast cancer, kidney cancer, and melanoma. Brain Mets are common in people with small cell lung cancer.
On the other hand, brain cancer originates primarily in the brain. It can either be benign or metastasis. In conditions like lung cancer metastasis to the brain, it means that the origin of cancer in the lungs and secondary cancer that has developed because of lung cancer is brain cancer.
How far may lung cancers impact other body parts?
When cancer develops in one place and spreads to another body site, it is called metastasis. It is one of the severe conditions where non-small cell lung cancer develops brain metastasis at some point during the illness. The most frequent sites of metastasis of lung cancer are:
- adrenal gland
- brain and nervous system
- bones
- liver
- respiratory system
How do conditions like lung cancer metastasis to the brain arise?
There are two types of lung cancer. These include small cell lung cancer and non-small cell lung cancer. Small cell lung cancer affects 10-15% of people with lung cancers. On the other hand, non-small cell lung cancer affects 80-85% of all lung cancers. Lung cancers typically spread to other body parts with the help of blood vessels and lymph nodes.
It is possible for lung cancer to spread to distant body parts, lymph nodes, or vessels and lasts until the secondary lymph nodes hold cancer. With the medium of the blood vessels, it is typically harder for cancer to enter. But, once it spreads through blood vessels, it spreads quickly and at a faster rate. In general, metastasis of lung cancer through blood cells is worse in a short time and metastasis of lung cancer through lymph cells is typically worse in the long term.
What are the most possible symptoms of lung cancer metastasis to the brain?
If anyone you know is going through the symptoms of lung cancer, it may spread to other sites including the brain, kidney, and lymph nodes. This may create symptoms like:
- Memory loss
- decrease in attention and concentrating the things
- headaches because of the swelling in the brain
- weakness
- nausea and vomiting
- Difficulty in expressing and speaking
- numbness
- tingling sensations
- seizures
If you notice any one of these symptoms, it is advisable to seek medical help.
What are the available treatment options?
The screening of the type of lung cancer that has spread to other sites may include radiology tests such as:
- MRI
- CT scan
Your doctor may also take a biopsy of your cancer site that may present the brain cancer and its presence.
The treatment options are available for lung cancer that has spread to other sites. However, these treatments may depend on different factors. These factors are:
- The primary site of cancer
- The number, size, and location of brain tumors
- Change in genetic behavior
- Age and health
- Other attempted treatments
The treatment options for metastasis to the brain depend on the original site of lung cancer. Originally when lung cancer spreads to the brain, it is still called lung cancer not brain cancer, here, in this case, the secondary site is brain.
The main types of treatment for brain metastases are:
Surgery
Surgery can be performed if there are not too many sites for tumors, the disease is developing in a controlled manner, and the patient is otherwise having good health.
Whole-brain radiation
This type of therapy is performed when the tumor has spread to other sites. This procedure can further be followed by simple surgery.
Stereotactic radiosurgery
This is one of the high-dose radiation therapy. It is specific for the parts of the grain. It is used for patients who are impacted by fewer tumors.
Immunotherapies and targeted therapies
It is one of the newer treatments for lung cancer. It impacts the blood-brain barriers and usually accompanies complementary treatment options.
What is the life expectancy of lung cancer metastasis to the brain?
Various factors affect the treatment for any type of cancer. This may include:
- Sex
- Ethnicity
- Age
- The overall health of the patient after getting treatments
There are still chances of survival after lung cancer has been diagnosed. In case of metastasis conditions, the condition may become poor. The survival rate may reduce to 6 months and may affect the treatment. Usually, people who develop lung cancer spread to sites other than brain metastasis possess a slightly higher survival rate. However, the difference is small.
