SPECTRUM OF CAUSES OF CEREBRAL METASTASIS: STUDY OF 16 CASES

Abstract

Background: Brain metastasis is the most common neurologic complication of systemic cancer. The aim of this
study was to know about the spectrum of causes of cerebral metastasis.
Material & Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Neurosurgery Department, Lady Reading
Hospital, Peshawar from January 2013 to December 2014. After taking consent from ethical research committee
all patients of both genders irrespective of their age who had brain metastasis based on MRI brain and histopathology
results were included in the study and those with primary brain tumors confirmed on histopathology and
Patients with coagulopathy, unfit for GA, not willing for surgery were excluded from the study. Patients particulars
like age, gender, pre-operative symptomology, primary site of metastasis, location of metastasis and type of
treatment given were recorded on predesigned proforma. Data was analyzed by SPSS version 20 and results
were represented in the form of graphs and tables.
Results: We studied 16 cases; 10(62.5%) males and 6(37.5%) females. The age range was from 14 to 92 years
(mean 53 years). Headache and seizures were present in 5(31.25%) cases each, weakness/hemiplegia and cognitive/
behavioral disturbance in 4(25%) cases each, ataxia in one (6.25%) and one (6.25%) were asymptomatic.
In 12(75%) cases Kernofsky Performance Score was >70 and in 4(25%) cases <70. Origin of cerebral metastasis
was from the lungs in 7(43.75%) patients while from breast in 3(18.75%) cases.
Conclusion: Cerebral metastasis occurs in old age mostly in males. The most common mode of presentation
is headache, seizures, behavioral disturbance and neurological deficits. Lung tumors have greatest propensity
to metastasize to the brain.