Brain Metastases

Why choose us for brain metastasis care?

At Mays Cancer Center, home to UT Health San Antonio MD Anderson Cancer Center, experienced doctors use leading therapies to treat cancer that spreads to the brain.

Our team includes respected brain tumor specialists with fellowship training in neuro-oncologic surgery and neuro-oncology. We offer stereotactic radiotherapy, an advanced radiation therapy that treats multiple brain metastases at one time — without surgery. As an academic medical center, we provide new hope for eligible patients through additional treatments only available through clinical trials.

Find out more about our neuro-oncology (brain tumor) program.

What you need to know about brain metastasis

• Brain metastasis is cancer that spreads to the brain. It happens when cancer cells that start in one area (like the lungs) enter the bloodstream and eventually reach the brain. Once inside the brain, the cancer cells continue to grow and spread.
• Any cancer can spread to the brain. Some cancers are more likely to lead to brain metastasis than others. Having lung, melanoma, breast or kidney cancer may increase your chances of developing brain metastasis.
• Our team includes highly trained doctors who treat many brain metastases compared to other centers in the area. We are one of a few cancer centers in South Texas to use teams of doctors to coordinate brain tumor treatment. This approach is a proven best practice and helps us deliver precise care personalized to your situation and needs.
• Having a brain metastasis often excludes patients from participating in clinical trials. We do offer eligible patients additional treatment options through ongoing clinical trials, including for people with cancer that has spread to the brain.

How to talk to your doctor about brain metastasis

Being diagnosed with a brain metastasis may make you feel uneasy about your future. You can count on us to guide you through every step of cancer treatment. We will educate you about all your options (including treatments that are not widely available) and provide support.

You might want to ask your doctor about:

• Additional testing, if any, you may need to guide diagnosis or treatment
• Cancer details, including where in the brain (or other areas) cancer has spread
• Treatment options, including what to expect if your doctor recommends surgery and any clinical trials for which you may be eligible
• Support services, including resources that may help you overcome physical or emotional challenges you experience during treatment

We want you to feel empowered in making treatment decisions. Many patients find it beneficial to include a loved one in their appointments. We welcome the support you want as you make important decisions.

Types

Any cancer can spread to the brain through the blood or lymph circulatory systems. The most common types of brain metastasis we treat are:

• Breast cancer metastasis to the brain
• Lung cancer metastasis to the brain
• Colon cancer metastasis to the brain
• Prostate cancer metastasis to the brain
• Melanoma metastasis to the brain
• Kidney cancer metastasis to the brain

Symptoms

A brain metastasis may cause varying symptoms, depending on where in the brain cancer cells spread. The most common symptoms are:

• Headaches, which may be severe
• Nausea and vomiting, which may happen along with a worsening headache
• Confusion or memory issues
• Seizures
• Vision changes, such as blurry or double vision

Diagnosis

We use leading diagnostic tests to diagnose brain metastases precisely. Based on your symptoms and physical evaluation, we may recommend:

• Imaging tests such as computed tomography (CT) scans or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to identify a tumor’s size and location
• Neurological exam to identify problems in your coordination, vision and hearing, which could be a sign of a brain tumor
• Biopsy to analyze tumor tissue under a microscope. A doctor trained in brain tumor diagnosis (neuropathologist) can identify characteristics of cancer cells. This analysis pinpoints whether cancer cells started in the brain (called primary brain cancer) or from another area.
• Molecular tests study the genetic or molecular details of cancer cells. These details help doctors recommend treatments designed to destroy a specific type of cancer cell.

At regular tumor board meetings, several brain tumor specialists (including neuropathologists, neuro-oncologists and neurosurgeons) review your test results together. This teamwork helps provide a precise diagnosis and personalized approach.

Learn more about cancer diagnosis.

Treatment

Brain cancer treatment usually includes a combination of surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. We will personalize treatment to your needs and situation, considering a tumor’s type and location and your preferences. You can trust our doctors to provide leading treatment options based on proven cancer advances.

Your doctor may recommend:

• Surgery: Highly trained surgeons use sophisticated tools and techniques to perform intricate tumor removal surgeries. Our team is skilled in traditional and minimally invasive procedures and will choose the approach that meets your needs. We offer multiple advanced procedures to remove cancer tissue while preserving your abilities whenever possible. Learn more about neurosurgery.
• Chemotherapy and other medicines: Cancer-destroying drugs (like chemotherapy or targeted therapy) attack cancer cells in general or in specialized ways. Our doctors participate in research studies that enable us to offer emerging cancer drugs to eligible patients.
• Radiation therapy: You can access a variety of advanced radiation therapies, some only available at select centers in the region. For example, our doctors use stereotactic radiosurgery to treat many multiple brain metastases noninvasively, with just one treatment session.
• Supportive therapies: Cancer or treatment may make certain everyday actions (like speaking clearly) harder. Our team includes psychologists and speech therapists trained to support you in overcoming obstacles related to cancer. Learn more about patient and family services during cancer care.

Research and Clinical Trials

Our physician-scientists’ research efforts have helped shape the way doctors throughout the country treat brain tumors. We participate in hundreds of clinical trials, which provides you access to additional treatment options.

Ask your doctor if you may be eligible for ongoing clinical trials that focus on brain metastasis. Read more about cancer research and clinical trials.