Brain metastasis

Lung Cancer can spread to the brain and can potentially cause a variety of symptoms which you will need advice on how to manage these if they occur.

The signs that cancer may have gone to the brain include
  - Limb weakness
  - Confusion
  - Speech disturbance
  - Behavioural change
  - Headaches
  - Eye sight disturbance
  - Epileptic fit

These symptoms can potentially be reversed and you will need urgent advice if any of the above happen.

Steroids are commonly used and the name of the drug most commonly used is Dexamethasone. Usually we start on a high dose and is lowered over the next few weeks to prevent unnecessary side effects from the drug. You should discuss the dosing schedule with your doctor or Lung Cancer Nurse Specialist.

If you have had a fit, again the dose or type of your medication may need to be altered. You will need to see urgent advice from your doctor or Lung Cancer Nurse Specialist.

One of the most important things to remember is that you are not allowed to drive your car. You need to be extra careful with your activities such as swimming or operating other machinery which may put yourself at harm. You will need to discuss this further with your doctor or Lung Cancer Nurse Specialist.

If lung cancer has spread to the brain there are potential interventions that maybe available to you and these should be discussed with you by your Oncologist or Lung Cancer Nurse Specialist.