Breast cancer as primary tumor
Breast cancer is the second most common of the typical primary tumors, which can lead to brain metastases. Brain metastases occur mainly in the so-called estrogen receptor negative forms of breast cancer. As is generally the case, brain metastases represent a very unfavorable prognosis factor for further survival.
However, an early diagnosis and small extension of the brain metastases can slightly improve the prognosis. If neurological symptoms occur in known or already treated breast cancer, the presence of brain metastases should always be ruled out. Individual metastases are usually removed by neurosurgery and the brain is then irradiated either completely or in the form of radiosurgery.
Radiation therapy helps to contain the symptoms, but unfortunately has little effect on survival. In addition to the combination with surgery, the radiotherapeutic concepts can also be used individually. The so-called radiosurgery in particular is making a lot of progress. In some cases, the administration of chemotherapeutic agents can also help to slow down the growth of metastases or improve symptoms.
