title: [Brain metastases epidemiology and biology].
abstract: Recent progresses in chemotherapies and targeted therapies have improved survival in cancer patients. In this context of better-controlled systemic disease, brain metastases (BM) are emerging as a new challenge for the oncologist. However, BM epidemiology and biology remain largely unclear. Incidence of BM is increasing. This trend could be explained by improvement in the quality of neuro-imaging (MRI) and increased survival. Primary cancers associated with BM patients are mainly: lung, breast, renal, colorectal cancers and melanoma. Prevalence of BM is estimated at 9% although this figure is probably underestimated. Time from initial to BM diagnoses is increasing and BM is occurring more frequently in individuals with advanced-stage disease. Biology of BM remains poorly known. Interactions between circulated tumoral cells (CTC) and blood-brain-barrier (BBB) cells are required. Some cytokines may act as CTC attractants and promote BM formation. BM development also involves several steps (extravasations through non-fenestrated capillaries, local proliferation, neoangiogenesis…), which represent potential therapeutic targets.
authors.affiliation: AP-HM, hôpital de la Timone, service de neuro-oncologie, 264, rue Saint-Pierre, 13005 Marseille, France.
authors.forename: Emeline
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Tabouret
authors.forename: Luc
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bauchet
authors.forename: Antoine F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Carpentier
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001812:Blood-Brain Barrier / Q000502:physiology; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000556:secondary*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007680:Kidney Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000556:secondary; D008875:Middle Aged; D009360:Neoplastic Cells, Circulating
keywords: brain metastases biology; brain metastasis; epidemiology