[Origin and distribution of brain metastases].

INTRODUCTION

Malignant neoplasmas account for 20% of overall mortality in developed countries, and are the second leading cause of death. According to the World Health Organization central nervous system tumors account for 4% of all tumors and brain tumors cause 0.2-2.4% of all hospital deaths. By their origin, brain tumors are classified into primary and secondary tumors or metastases. The aims of this study were to examine the number of metastases, their origin and distribution and to compare the prevalence of primary and secondary brain tumors during the same period.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study included 63 adults (40 males and 23 females) with diagnosed brain tumors treated during 2001 and 2002 at the Department of Neurology in Novi Sad. Tumors were diagnosed by computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging.

RESULTS

Secondary tumors were also diagnosed, but without statistical significance (2 = 0.38; p > 0.05) and metastases were significantly more frequent among men (2 = 14.22; p < 0.01). Supratentorial metastases were significantly more frequent than tumors in other localizations (2 = 23.6; p < 0.01). Multiple metastases were estimated in 56% of patients and solitary tumors in 44%, without statistical significance (2 = 0.48; p > 0.05). In most cases metastases originated from primary lung cancers and tumors of unknown origin.

CONCLUSIONS

During the studied period more secondary than primary tumors have been diagnosed and more multiple than solitary metastases. They were more frequent in men with supratentorial distribution as most frequent. Lung cancer proved to be their most common source.