Diagnosis and treatment of cerebral metastasis from lung cancer

A clinical analysis of 38 patients with cerebral metastasis from lung cancer is reported 17 patients had primary cancer symptoms prior to the increased intracranial pressure 34 patients were examined by cerebral angiography or ventriculography and 4 by CT scan. The incidence of cerebral metastasis with lung as the primary focus ranks first (54.7%). Three pathologic processes of intracranial metastasis: (1) cancer cell thrombosis stage (2) growth reaction stage (3) increased intracranial pressure stage. In this series, 16 patients were given conservative treatment and 22 were operated by craniotomy and resection. The results show that the operation could improve the symptoms and signs and prolong the survival time. The surgical treatment of lesions in the brain is emphasized and the indications are discussed.