The MRI impression says:
-
Post-operative changes in the right occipital lobe
This is the back-right part of the brain, where surgery has previously been done. A cystic cavity and surrounding changes are seen after the operation.
-
Metastatic brain lesions in:
- Left peri-rolandic region: near the brain area controlling movement and sensation, especially on the right side of the body.
- Tectal plate: a small midbrain area involved in eye movements and other pathways.
Definition
Brain metastases are cancer deposits that have spread to the brain from a cancer that started elsewhere in the body, such as lung, breast, kidney, melanoma, gastrointestinal cancer, etc. They are not usually a primary brain cancer. The MRI also describes surrounding edema, meaning swelling around these lesions, which can cause symptoms.
Treatment
This requires prompt review by a medical oncologist, radiation oncologist, and neurosurgeon/neuro-oncologist. The best treatment depends on the original cancer, the number and size of lesions, symptoms, previous radiation or surgery, and cancer elsewhere in the body.
Common components are:
- Steroids for brain swelling, usually dexamethasone when there are symptoms from edema such as headache, weakness, vomiting, or speech problems. This must be prescribed and tapered by the treating doctor. Do not start or stop it independently.
- Stereotactic radiosurgery/radiotherapy (SRS/SRT): highly focused radiation to individual brain metastases. It is often used for a limited number of lesions and may be considered especially because these lesions are in sensitive brain locations.
- Surgery: considered if a lesion is large, causing pressure or neurological symptoms, needs tissue confirmation, or can be safely removed. The right occipital area has already undergone surgery.
- Whole-brain radiotherapy: sometimes used when there are many brain lesions or widespread brain involvement, though focused radiation is often preferred when feasible to limit cognitive effects.
- Systemic cancer treatment: immunotherapy, targeted therapy, chemotherapy, or hormone therapy, depending entirely on the primary cancer and its molecular test results.
- Anti-seizure medicine: used if seizures have occurred. It is not automatically needed for every person with brain metastases.
Surgery may be useful for diagnosis or to relieve pressure from a dominant symptomatic lesion, while radiation is a main local treatment option for metastatic brain disease, as summarized by the
NCI treatment guidance. Recent evidence also continues to compare focused stereotactic radiation with whole-brain radiation for tumor control and cognitive outcomes, including this
2025 systematic review.
Seek emergency care now if there is
- New or worsening weakness/numbness, especially on the right side
- Seizure
- Severe or escalating headache
- Repeated vomiting, drowsiness, confusion, fainting
- New trouble speaking, walking, or seeing
- Sudden double vision or major change in consciousness
Please arrange an urgent appointment with the cancer team and take the full MRI images, report, prior surgical pathology report, and details of the original cancer treatment.