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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 03 June 2015
Introduction: This study sought to determine the overall and disease-specific latency period for radiological appearance of new intracranial metastases for patients with metastatic involvement of the brain. Methods: A retrospective chart review of patients with intracranial metastases between 2008–2010 was conducted. For each patient, the following were recorded: cancer type, gender, age at diagnosis of primary cancer and first intracranial metastases, treatments (chemotherapy, whole-brain-radiotherapy (WBRT), radiosurgery), and latency period for radiological appearance of new intracranial metastases. Results: 137 patients with multiple metastatic tumors were included in our study. Majority (>90%) of patients received chemotherapy and WBRT. The latency periods for appearance of new metastases for different cancer types were (in months): breast 12.7, lung 11.3, colorectal 9.0, melanoma 6.6, renal cell 8.1, other 8.1. The overall average latency period was 10.1 months. There was no relation between latency period for new metastases and the following: age at diagnosis of metastases(p=0.174), age at treatment(p=0.199), and cancer type(p=0.124). The latency period for new metastatic lesions differed significantly between males (8.1 months) and females (11.7 months) (p=0.009). Conclusions: The average latency period for new metastases is approximately 10 months. Our data suggests that males develop new metastatic tumors at a faster rate.