ISSN: 2639-2038
Authors: Mhanna E*
Introduction: Brain metastases are the most important neurologic complication of cancer. Their incidence and time of appearance increase due to improved techniques for early diagnosis and therapeutic progress. Objectives This descriptive, retrospective study aims to compare the data on the occurrence of brain metastases in cancer patients of University Hospital Notre-Dame de Secours, Jbeil- Lebanon between 2010 and 2015 with those of the literature.Methods: 102 patients were included according to specific criteria. The number and location of brain metastases have been noted. The dependent variable is the time between the diagnosis of primary cancer and that of brain metastases. The data was analyzed with SPSS 20 (Statistical Package for Social Science). The association between the variables was analyzed with the Student and Mann- Whitney test. The Spearman Test used for the correlation between 2 quantitative variables and survival evaluated by the Kaplan-Meier method. Results: The male gender, diabetes, smoking> 50 PA and breast cancer are associated with a shorter interval till the diagnosis of brain metastases. No significant effect of previous malignancy, hypertension, dyslipidemia, coronary artery disease, histologic grade or primary tumor size was found to influence the duration between primary cancer and brain metastases. Discussion: The small vessel ischemic disease seems to accelerate the development of early brain metastases that may similarly, explain the association with diabetes. Smoking would facilitate the spread of tumor cells, thus an earlier onset of metastases. As for breast cancer and the male sex, our results are consistent with the literature. Conclusion: An early spread of malignancy is associated with male gender, diabetes, smoking and breast cancer. Understanding these factors is essential to develop treatment or even preventive regimens.
Keywords: Tropical diseases; Asymmetry; Filariasis
