Information
Life time risk of developing brain metastases depends on primary site.
Signs and symptoms may include new onset of seizures, headache, visual disturbance, nausea and/or vomiting, cognitive dysfunction, confusion, disorientation and/or memory loss, motor dysfunction, symptoms of stroke.
M.A, K.E & J.W. 12-02-26
Who to refer:
Patients with a cancer diagnosis and symptoms suggestive of brain metastases. We may ask you to start steroids (depending on clinical situation) prior to review.
Who not to refer:
If in doubt please do not hesitate to call the on call oncology team. We will likely recommend that suspected brain metastases as a new cancer diagnosis are referred via the acute medical team.
How to refer:
Contact the Acute Oncology team at the Edinburgh Cancer Centre on 07798774842 or 0131 537 1000 and ask to speak to Acute Oncology team for oncology.
All patients on or within six weeks of treatment should be encouraged to monitor symptoms and call The Cancer Treatment Helpline (CTH; 08009177711) with any treatment-related concerns. Please note, the CTH is a call operator service provided by NHS 24, who then refer on to an acute care specialist. They cannot give specialist advice.
If the patient has been assessed by a healthcare practitioner in Primary Care, and Oncology advice/input is felt to be required, the Primary Care clinician should call the Acute Oncology team at the Edinburgh Cancer Centre (based in the WGH) and discuss directly. The Acute Oncology team can be contacted during working hours (Mon-Fri 9-5) on 07798774842; If out of hours, please discuss with the Oncology Registrar On-Call via NHS Lothian Switchboard (0131 537 1000).
If the primary care clinician requires any further guidance on the suitability of referral to Acute Oncology, they can consult Pg 10 of the The UKONS Oncology/Haematology 24 Hour Triage Toolkit.
Note if a patient has presented to primary care for assessment, the patient should NOT be advised to call the CTH themselves to pass on this information or seek further advice.
Link to Acute Oncology Initial Management Guidelines:
UKONS | Acute Oncology Initial Management Guidelines (sundownsolutions.co.uk)
