Incidence of brain metastases in a cohort of patients with carcinoma of the breast, colon, kidney, and lung and melanoma

The objective of this study was to report on the incidence of and factors related to the occurrence of central nervous system metastases in a cohort of patients who were diagnosed with colorectal, lung, breast, or kidney carcinoma or melanoma.

Using the population-based Maastricht Cancer Registry (MCR), a cohort was created of patients with colorectal carcinoma (n = 720 patients), lung carcinoma (n = 938 patients), breast carcinoma (n = 802 patients), renal carcinoma (n = 114 patients), and melanoma (n = 150 patients). The patients had to live in the catchment area of the University Hospital Maastricht (UHM) and had to have been diagnosed at the UHM during the period 1986-1995. Patients with brain metastases were searched for by linking the MCR to the Neuro-Oncology Registry of the UHM. Radiology files were checked as well. Follow-up lasted until December 31, 1998.