What are brain metastases?
A brain metastasis is a tumour that started in another part of the body and then spread to the brain. For example, if a patient has lung cancer, cancer cells that spread to the brain from the lung(s) are known as brain metastases.
When only a single tumour spreads to the brain, it is called a metastasis. When there are more than 2 tumours that spread to the brain, they are called metastases.
Common cancers that spread to the brain include:
- Lung
- Breast
- Melanoma (skin)
- Kidney
- Colon
Brain metastases can cause symptoms in different ways in different people. A common symptom of brain metastases are headaches.
Why do brain metastases patients get headaches?
Patients with brain metastases can get headaches because the tumour can cause pressure on the brain. Headaches may also be a side effect of treatments for brain metastases. Treatments include surgery or radiotherapy.
Other factors can cause or make headaches worse in patients with brain metastases. These factors include:
- Stress
- Anxiety
- Dehydration (when your body does not have enough water)
- Lack of sleep
Note: if a headache lasts for more than 1 day or gets worse despite treatment, call the Brain Metastases Clinic right away at: 416 946 4501
ext. 6325.
What to track when you have a headache?
Headaches can vary. Keep track of the following so your doctor can better understand your headaches:
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Timing. Timing is when during the day the headache develops.
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Frequency. Frequency is how often the headaches occur. Headaches can occur every day or a few times a week.
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Duration. Duration is how long the headache lasts. It may range from minutes to hours to days. Some headaches start and end very quickly. Others come and go over many hours or days.
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Location. Location is the place where the pain occurs. For example, you may feel pain over the eyes, your forehead, at the back of your neck, or on one side of your head.
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Severity. Severity is the level of pain you feel. Pain can be mild, moderate or severe.
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Quality. Quality means the type of pain you have. It can be a dull pain or a stabbing pain.
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Other symptoms. Some patients may feel other symptoms with their headache. These other symptoms include:
- Nausea (feeling like you will throw up)
- Vomiting (throwing up)
- Dizziness
- Blurry vision
- Being sensitive to light or noise
If you have any of these symptoms, call the Brain Metastases Clinic right away at: 416 946 4501 extension 6325.
What are some treatment options?
Treatment for headaches caused by brain metastases may include non-medical treatments such as rest and keeping a healthy lifestyle.
You may also get over-the-counter (OTC) medicines to manage your headaches. Talk to your doctor first before taking OTC medicines.
Some OTC medicines can reduce the pain you may feel. Medicines that can reduce pain are called analgesics.
Analgesics include: acetaminophen (Tylenol) and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen (Advil).
Ask your doctor what medicine you can take. Also, tell your doctor about any OTC pain medicine you take for your headaches.
Some headaches caused by brain metastases need treatments that only your doctor can give you. These are options that you can discuss with your doctor.
Contact the Brain Metastases Clinic right away if:
- Your headache lasts for more than 1 day
- Your headache gets worse even after taking analgesics
- You have other symptoms like nausea (feeling like you need to throw up), vomiting (throwing up), dizziness, blurry vision, or being sensitive to light or noise
Brain Metastases Clinic phone number: 416 946 4501 extension 6325
