Prognosis for Stage 4 Metastatic Brain Cancer

Metastatic brain cancer is cancer that has spread from the original tumor site to the brain. Stage 4 is a term indicating that the cancer has spread from its original location. About 10 to 30 percent of all adult cancers spread to the brain, according to the National Institutes of Health.

Types

A number of different cancers can spread to the brain including breast cancer, bladder cancer, lung cancer, melanoma, kidney cancer, testicular cancer and some sarcomas. Less commonly, colon and prostate cancers can spread to the brain as well.

Factors in Determing Prognosis

Factors affecting the prognosis for metastatic brain cancer include age, especially whether under 60 years of age, whether there are more than two tumors in the brain, where the tumors are located in the brain, response to treatment and whether the tumor grows or spreads to other sites.

Prognosis based on Primary Cancer

The prognosis also varies depending on where the original cancer began. For instance, the prognosis for breast cancer that has spread to the brain is much better than the prognosis for colon cancer that has spread.

Overall Prognosis

Unfortunately, the general prognosis for metastatic brain cancer is quite poor. However, every case is different and different outcomes are possible depending on a number of factors.

Duration

The typical life expectancy with stage 4 metastatic brain cancer is about two years, according to the National Institutes of Health.

References

• Cancer.gov: Adult Brain Tumor Treatment
• Medline Plus: Metastatic Brain Tumor