Some malignant tumors may develop cystic metastases to the brain. This diagnosis should be considered in any patient with a history of cancer and the presence of cystic brain lesions.
Most common tumors:
(1) breast
(2) lung (both small cell and nonsmall cell)
(3) malignant melanoma
Less common tumors:
(1) prostate adenocarcinoma
(2) other adenocarcinomas
Some cystic metastases may show calcifications on imaging studies.
Differential diagnosis:
(1) neurocysticercosis
(2) meningioma
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