Skull bone metastases: what to know

Skull bone metastases are cancer cells that have spread to bones of the skull, where they can cause pain, tenderness, swelling, or pressure symptoms. They may be found during imaging or after new symptoms appear. The original cancer can be breast, lung, prostate, or another type; the skull finding does not identify the primary cancer by itself.

A metastasis can weaken or irritate bone and may affect nearby nerves or tissues. Headache, a firm lump, scalp tenderness, or altered sensation can occur, although symptoms vary. Doctors use your cancer history, examination, and imaging to assess location and stability. Information about [Breast Cancer](/conditions/breast-cancer/), [Lung Cancer](/conditions/lung-cancer/), and [Prostate Cancer](/conditions/prostate-cancer/) may help explain possible primary sites.

Keep oncology and imaging appointments and report changes in pain, swelling, vision, hearing, balance, or sensation. Treatment may combine therapy for the underlying cancer with focused [Palliative Radiotherapy](/treatments/radiation-oncology/palliative-radiotherapy/) for pain or local control. [Bone-Strengthening Therapy](/treatments/supportive-and-palliative-care/bone-strengthening-therapy/) and a tailored [Cancer Pain Management](/treatments/supportive-and-palliative-care/cancer-pain-management/) plan may also be discussed.

Seek urgent medical help for a sudden severe headache, repeated vomiting, new weakness, confusion, seizure, fainting, difficulty speaking, or sudden vision change. Contact your cancer team promptly for rapidly increasing pain, a growing lump, new numbness, or problems with balance. Do not wait for a routine appointment when neurological symptoms appear.

Ask which skull bone is involved, whether nearby nerves or the brain are affected, what scans are needed, which treatment goal applies, and which symptoms require emergency assessment.