In the setting of a known primary malignancy elsewhere what reasons are there for resecting this mass?
Firstly, if there is concern that this represents another pathology then management may be affected (e.g. unusual location / appearance / no known metastatic disease). Secondly symptomatic relief may be achievable. In this case one could manage the patient with a VP shunt, however the gaze palsy will not improve.
What are the most common cerebral metastases?
Lung cancer, breast cancer, melanoma, renal cell carcinoma.
An 8 cm smooth mass is seen projecting over the right hilum (CT confirmed the mass to be posteriorly located within the lower lobe - not shown). There is pulmonary consolidation bilaterally in both lower lobes.