Metastatic

Metastatic brain tumours (MBCTs) are tumours that develop in the brain from cancer cells that have spread (metastasised) from a primary cancer in another part of the body. The cancers most frequently associated with MCTs are lung, breast, kidney, colon and prostate cancer.

MCTs are malignant tumours, meaning that they grow uncontrollably and invade surrounding brain tissue. 

Biomarkers for metastatic brain tumours (MBCTs) can vary depending on the type of primary cancer that has metastasised to the brain. Metastatic brain tumours can be diagnosed by brain imaging, such as MRI or CT, but it can also be useful to identify biomarkers to make an accurate diagnosis and guide treatment.

There are several biomarkers that can be used to diagnose and monitor metastatic brain tumours, including:

1.HER2/neu protein expression: this protein is overexpressed in certain types of cancer, such as breast, gastric and colorectal cancer, and its overexpression has been associated with an increased risk of developing metastatic brain tumours.

2. EGFR mutations: mutations in this gene are common in certain types of cancer, such as non-small cell lung cancer, and have been associated with an increased risk of brain metastases.

3. Tumour markers: these biomarkers, such as CA 15-3, CA 19-9 and CA 125, are often used to diagnose and monitor other types of cancer, but may also be useful for metastatic brain tumours.

4. Genetic alterations: Genetic alterations, such as chromosome 10 deletions, are common in metastatic brain tumours and can be used to differentiate brain metastases from primary brain tumours.