Brain metastases from lung cancer with neuropsychiatric symptoms as the first symptoms

To investigate the neuropsychiatric symptoms and their treatment and outcomes in lung cancer patients with brain metastases (BM), with an attempt to achieve early detection and prompt management of these symptoms.

Ten lung cancer patients (8 males and 2 females) with BMs who were treated in our center from 2013 to 2019 were enrolled in this analysis. Without exception, all 10 patients presented with chief complaints of neuropsychiatric symptoms, and BMs were eventually diagnosed. Appropriate treatments were offered, and all patients were followed up.

Two patients died (case 5 died of sudden massive hemoptysis, and case 6 died after his families refused to receive the invasive treatment). Data on 3- and 5-year survival have been obtained from one patient each. The average follow-up duration was 19.4 months (except that two patients were hospitalized only once, and one patient received the second follow-up visit only 9 days after the first visit).

The possibility of BM from lung cancer should be considered when a lung cancer patient develops neuropsychiatric symptoms, and timely diagnosis treatment should be arranged accordingly.