Brain Metastasis

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

Brain metastasis is cancer that has spread within your brain or spreads from your body to your brain. Some examples are lung, breast, skin, and colon cancer. One or more tumors form in your brain.

AFTER YOU LEAVE:

Follow up with your primary healthcare provider or oncologist as directed:

Write down your questions so you remember to ask them during your visits. Caregivers may suggest imaging tests, such MRI or PET scans, every 3 months. The imaging tests help check for new or returning tumors. Work with your caregivers to create a plan for follow-up care that is right for you.

Medicines:

• Steroids: This medicine helps reduce swelling in the head and body.
  
  
• Anticonvulsant medicine: This medicine helps decrease or stop seizures.
  
  
• Blood thinners: Blood thinners are medicines that help prevent blood clots from forming. Clots can cause strokes, heart attacks, and death. Blood thinners make it more likely for you to bleed or bruise. If you are taking a blood thinner:
  
  
  • Watch for bleeding from your gums or nose. Watch for blood in your urine and bowel movements. Use a soft washcloth on your skin and a soft toothbrush on your teeth. This can keep your skin and gums from bleeding. If you shave, use an electric shaver. Do not play contact sports, such as football.
    
    
  • Be aware of what medicines you take. Many medicines cannot be used when taking medicine to thin your blood. Tell your dentist and other caregivers that you take blood-thinning medicine. Wear or carry medical alert information that says you are taking this medicine.
    
    
  • Take this medicine exactly as your primary healthcare provider tells you. Tell him right away if you forget to take the medicine, or if you take too much. You may need to have regular blood tests while on this medicine. Your primary healthcare provider uses these tests to decide how much medicine is right for you.
    
    
  • Talk to your primary healthcare provider about your diet. This medicine works best when you eat about the same amount of vitamin K every day. Vitamin K is found in green leafy vegetables and other foods, such as cooked peas and kiwifruit.
  
  
• Take your medicine as directed. Call your primary healthcare provider if you think your medicine is not helping or if you have side effects. Tell him if you are allergic to any medicine. Keep a list of the medicines, vitamins, and herbs you take. Include the amounts, and when and why you take them. Bring the list or the pill bottles to follow-up visits. Carry your medicine list with you in case of an emergency.

Manage the effects of brain metastasis:

• Avoid infections: Cancer treatments make it easier to get infections. Wash your hands often with soap and water. Carry germ-killing gel with you in case you do not have access to soap and water. Try to avoid people who have a cold or the flu.
  
  
• Stay safe: Cancer treatments can make you dizzy or sleepy. Prevent falls by calling someone when you get out of bed or if you need help. Ask your primary healthcare provider if it is safe for you to drive.
  
  
• Seek support from caregivers: The disease can change the way you act, think, and feel. Your memory, concentration, and ability to learn may decline. You may act without thinking or become more emotional. These changes can be very upsetting for you and your family. Talk to your primary healthcare provider about these changes and ask about continuing care, treatments, and home services. Go to all follow-up appointments.

For support and more information:

• American Brain Tumor Association
  8550 West Bryn Mawr Avenue, Suite 550
  Chicago , IL 60631
  Phone: 1- 800 - 886-2282
  Web Address: http://www.abta.org
  

Contact your primary healthcare provider if:

• You have questions or concerns about your condition or care.
  
  

Seek care immediately or call 911 if:

• New headaches develop or get worse.
  
  
• You have new problems walking or moving one side of your body.
  
  
• Body swelling develops or gets worse.
  
  
• You have a seizure.
  
  
• Your arm or leg feels warm, tender, and painful. It may look swollen and red.
  
  
• You suddenly feel lightheaded and have trouble breathing.
  
  
• You have new and sudden chest pain. You may have more pain when you take deep breaths or cough. You may cough up blood.
  
  
• You have chest pain or trouble breathing that is getting worse over time.

Learn more about Brain Metastasis (Discharge Care)