Can breast cancer cause brain metastases?

This is different from a cancer that starts in the brain. The diagnosis describes where breast cancer has travelled, and treatment is selected using features of the breast cancer as well as the number, size and position of brain lesions.

Cancer cells can leave a breast tumour, travel through blood and establish growths in brain tissue. Possible effects include a new or worsening headache, nausea, weakness on one side, changes in vision or speech, poor balance, confusion or a seizure. These symptoms can have other causes, so imaging and clinical assessment are needed rather than symptoms alone.

Doctors commonly use a neurological examination and brain imaging to investigate. They also consider previous cancer results, current medicines and disease elsewhere when planning care.

Tell your oncology team promptly about a new persistent headache, altered balance, limb weakness, vision change, speech difficulty or unusual confusion. Record when the symptom began, whether it is progressing and which medicines you have taken. Do not stop prescribed cancer medicines or steroids suddenly unless your treating team directs you.

If metastases are confirmed, care may combine medicines that reduce swelling, radiotherapy, surgery or treatment that acts throughout the body. The choice depends on the lesions, your breast cancer subtype, previous treatment and your overall health.

Call emergency services for a first seizure, loss of consciousness, sudden severe headache, new facial droop, new weakness or numbness on one side, or sudden trouble speaking. These neurological changes require urgent assessment regardless of their cause. Do not drive yourself if your awareness, vision, strength or coordination is affected.

Ask what the scan shows, whether swelling is present, which symptoms should trigger emergency care, and how the proposed treatment fits with your current breast cancer therapy. You can also ask whether medicines may affect driving, work or daily activities and who to contact if symptoms change between appointments.