Treatment of metastatic cancer primarily depends on the original site of the cancer, so for specific treatment recommendations, refer to the sections dealing with the primary cancers. In some clinical situations, however, metastases may be treated in specific ways.
Brain Metastases
The treatment of brain metastases depends on many factors such as the tumor of origin, the number and location of lesions within the brain and the extent of cancer in places other than the brain.
Standard Treatment Most patients are placed on steroids (dexamethasone) to relieve significant brain swelling that can cause severe symptoms. Many patients will also take an antiseizure medicine (phenytoin), since seizures are a common complication.
