NSCLC - symptoms when progressed to brain

[Mommyworld]

Mom had nsclc stage 3b diagnosed in Sep 2020. Recently she has become forgetful, pain in the left finger, dropping things etc. Can I ask did anyone have it go to the brain and if so what were the symptoms. I know that is can progress to the brain and thats my worry. Mom does have a lung mai scan every 6months and also bloods etc. I am sure it would have come up on the bloods if there was anything untoward?

[RoyCastleHelpline Partner Ask the Nurse Roy Castle]

Hi and welcome to the forum . I am sorry to hear your Mum has been experiencing some new symptoms . Symptoms such as forgetfulness , pain in little finger and dropping things could be explained due to other reasons as well as you have suggested by spread of lung cancer to the brain. It is important to discuss any new symptoms with a medical professional to rule in or out any medical conditions . The six monthly scan may only have been of your mums chest and would need to be requested to include her head. Blood test would not usually show or indicate any spread of cancer to the brain. I would suggest seeking a medical review with your oncologist or respiratory physician to rule in or out any conditions that may be causing your mum's symptoms. Best wishes .

[Elt79]

Hi - I did have mets go to my brain and my symptom was loss of speech which was initially thought to be a stroke. My speech was affected because of the lesion being in the speech are of the brain and swelling caused by the tumour. It’s unlikely bloods would show this up and after initial CT in A&E I had an MRI which showed I two brain tumours from the lung. I think you should speak to your mum’s team, although the symptoms you mention could be other things not necessarily brain Mets. My lesions were treated with stereotactic radio surgery on two occasions and currently being monitored as there has been a change in my recent MRI but they could treat again possibly. Wishing your mum all the best but would speak to her team about her symptoms x