Gamma Knife is used to treat metastatic brain lesions

According to the National Brain Tumor Foundation, a metastatic brain tumor is one that begins as cancer in another part of the body. Some of the cancer cells may be carried to the brain by the blood or lymphatic fluid, or may spread from adjacent tissue. The site where the cancerous cells originated is referred to as the primary cancer. Metastatic brain tumors are often referred to as lesions or brain metastases and are the most common brain tumors. There has been an increase in metastatic lesions as people are surviving primary cancers for longer periods of time.

Characteristics:

• The primary cancer is usually in the lung, breast, colon, kidney or skin, but can originate in any part of the body
• Most metastatic brain tumors are located in the cerebrum, but can also develop in the cerebellum or brain stem
• More than half of people with metastatic tumors have multiple lesions
• Common among middle-aged and elderly men and women

Symptoms:

• Seizures
• Headaches
• Behavioral and cognitive changes
• Lack of coordination

For more information on metastatic brain lesions, visit the National Brain Tumor Foundation web site.