Joel Graybeal was diagnosed with #ProstateCancer in July 2022 and learned that it had already metastasized. In an interview with People, Joel and his wife share how they refuse to let cancer stop them from living the life of their dreams. people.com/prostate-can...

Like the brain, almost all cancers can spread to the bone but some are more likely than others. Breast, lung, prostate, kidney, melanoma, ovarian, and thyroid cancers are the most common. The spine is the most common site for bone metastases.

It takes a village to care for patients. Visit brainspinemetastasis.org to find patient resources and our partner organizations.

Thank you to Rep. Valerie Foushee (NC-04) for continuing to support brain and spine metastasis awareness. On Monday, Rep. Foushee reintroduced a resolution naming June Brain and Spine Metastasis Awareness Month. Read more: neurosurgery.duke.edu/news/foushee...

Until about 10 years ago, patients with brain and spine metastases weren't eligible to participate in clinical trials. Today, we have trials designed specifically for these patients. Learn more about active trials here: neurosurgery.duke.edu/mets-resources

About 15% of people with kidney cancer will develop brain metastases.

Everything changed for Brian FitzGerald in an instant. After spending the summer looking for answers, one last scan kicked off a whirlwind of surgery and treatments for melanoma that had metastasized to his brain. Read his story here: neurosurgery.duke.edu/news/south-c...

It's important for caregivers to take care of themselves, too. That means practicing self-care, but also recognizing burnout and when to ask for help.

Duke's April Salama, MD, and Lucy Boyce Kennedy, MD, of Cleveland Clinic published a review looking at how to choose therapies to treat metastatic melanoma. Read the review here: link.springer.com/article/10.1...

SRS (stereotactic radiosurgery) uses high radiation doses in precisely targeted areas to treat tumors, especially in delicate places like the brain. SRS minimizes damage to nearby healthy tissue compared to whole brain radiation. Learn more: www.dukehealth.org/treatments/s... Source: Duke Health

Brain metastases are one of the most common complications of melanoma. More than 60% of stage IV melanoma patients will develop brain metastases. Source: AIM at Melanoma

Almost any cancer can spread to the brain and spine, but some metastasize there more often. Lung, breast, prostate, melanoma, and colon cancer are among the more common. #OncSky #MedSky

Cancer support services are about making sure patients are cared for as a whole person. At Duke, services include supportive counseling, child life specialists, nutrition & exercise consultations, physical & occupational therapy, & palliative care. Learn more: www.dukehealth.org/locations/du...

Researchers at Duke have found that breast cancer can enter the lining of the brain (leptomeninges) through bone marrow and emissary veins. Read more here: neurosurgery.duke.edu/news/duke-re... #AcademicSky #OncSky #MedSky

Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) combine a monoclonal antibody and chemotherapy with a linking protein. The antibody will only bind to one substance which targets the chemotherapy to specific cancer cells, making healthy cell less likely to be harmed.

More than 60% of patients with advanced prostate cancer will eventually develop bone metastases. The spine is one of the most common places for bone metastasis.

10-15% of people with stage IV breast cancer have brain metastases.

Metastatic brain tumors are different than primary brain tumors. Not only are they more common, they're not actually brain cancer. The cancer is still the primary cancer - lung, breast, or others - but that cancer is now in the brain.

Palliative care is about providing relief and preventing suffering at any age or stage of illness. Palliative care experts partner with patients, their families, and their medical teams to meet your personalized goals.

A recent study by DCBSM researchers found a nearly two-fold increase in the risk of radiation necrosis among patients with brain metastases receiving immunotherapies within four weeks of radiosurgery. Learn more: neurosurgery.duke.edu/news/therapy... #OncSky #MedSky #AcademicSky

LITT (laser interstitial thermal therapy) uses a laser to destroy unhealthy brain tissue, including new & recurrent brain tumors & radiation necrosis. LITT is minimally invasive - the opening in the scalp is only about as big as a pencil eraser. Learn more: www.dukehealth.org/treatments/n...

Did you know? Among patients with lung cancer, about 16-20 percent develop brain metastases. Risk of brain mets is highest in SCLC, EGFR, and ALK positive lung cancers. #OncSky #MedSky

New research from members of the DCBSM & Duke Radiation Oncology graduate students highlights using artificial intelligence to differentiate between local recurrence & radiation necrosis in patients with brain metastasis. #AcademicSky #MedSky #OncSky www.dukecancerinstitute.org/blogs/new-ai...

We're excited to virtually welcome Melanie Hayden Gephart to Duke on May 22! Dr. Hayden Gephart is a brain tumor neurosurgeon at Stanford University. Find more information and the Zoom link here: calendar.duke.edu/show?fq=id%3... CME is available for this event.

Reductions in cancer death rates translates to more than 4.1 million cancer deaths avoided in the U.S. between 1991 and 2021. The decline is due to advancements in treatments and early detection thanks to cancer research. Source: @theaacr.bsky.social #UnitedByCancerResearch #NCRM25

May is National Cancer Research month. Thanks to advancements in medicine due to cancer research, more than 18 million people in the U.S. are cancer survivors. #UnitedByCancerResearch #NCRM25 Source: AACR

A new study by Duke Center for Brain and Spine Metastasis researchers found a nearly two-fold increase in the risk of radiation necrosis among patients with brain metastases receiving immunotherapies within four weeks of radiosurgery. Read more: corporate.dukehealth.org/news/therapy...

This summer, Carey Anders, MD, will be stepping into the role of director of the Duke Center for Brain and Spine Metastasis. Dr. Anders is currently the center’s co-director.

A retrospective study found that while physical concerns were the most common for patients with metastatic disease to the spine, it was the emotional and practical concerns that caused patients the most distress. Read the paper published in Spine: journals.lww.com/spinejournal...

Take 20 minutes to listen to @lauraaldermd.bsky.social talk about lung cancer and brain metastasis on the @iaslc.bsky.social Lung Cancer Considered podcast. 🧠 Listen here: www.iaslc.org/iaslc-news/l...

Check out the ABC11 interview with @lauraaldermd.bsky.social, our Deputy Medical Director, about lung cancer, new treatments, and the Duke Center for Brain and Spine Metastasis. (Her interview starts at the 4-minute mark!) abc11.com/post/abc11-t...

What exactly are facilities and administrative costs when it comes to funding research? Learn more with this explainer about research funding at Duke. #AcademicSky | #MedSky

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is a major risk factor for skin cancer. Most skin cancers are a result of UV from natural sunlight. Melanoma, a more serious but less common type of skin cancer, is a cancer that can spread to the brain and spine. Source: American Cancer Society. www.cancer.org

Mark your calendars! 📅 We're thrilled to welcome Manuel Valiente, DVM, PhD from CNIO to Duke as our next invited speaker on Feb. 27 at 4 p.m. at the Duke School of Nursing.

How does tobacco change your risk for #cancer? The American Cancer Society says about 80% of lung cancers are due to smoking. Lung cancer is also the leading cause of cancer death in people in the United States - and a leading cancer type that can spread to the brain and spine. www.cancer.org

ICYMI: New research from the Fecci Lab might help explain why certain immunotherapies for brain tumors fail - offering offer new opportunities to curb tumor progression. 🧠🔬 #MedSky #AcademicSky #OncSky www.dukecancerinstitute.org/blogs/resear...

February is #CancerPrevention Month. There's no definite way to prevent cancer, but there are ways to reduce your risk. We'll be digging into some of them all this month.

We recognize the need for research and innovation for the treatment of all types of cancer on #WorldCancerDay - and every day. Almost any cancer can spread to the brain and spine. It's critical that we work to give hope to all cancer patients in all stages of their journey.

New work from the Fecci Lab may explain why immunotherapies fail in the treatment of brain tumors. neurosurgery.duke.edu/news/new-res... #medsky #academicsky

Hello, #MedSky! 👋 We're the Duke Center for Brain and Spine Metastasis: a multidisciplinary team made up of neurosurgery, medical oncology, radiation oncology, and palliative care. Our clinical and research teams work to find new solutions to best care for patients with metastatic cancer.