Caring for patients with central nervous system metastases

Metastatic disease of the central nervous system (CNS) is devastating. For some patients it is the first indication that they have cancer. For others with controlled systemic disease, it is the realisation that the cancer is back. This group of patients generally has a poor prognosis and, if possible, they need to understand that the treatment on offer is being prescribed for symptom control and not cure or to prolong their survival. Nurses need to provide clear and accurate information to patients and families so they can make an autonomous decision about the proposed treatment or, indeed, plan future care.