Pathology of Brain Metastases

Abstract

In this chapter, we consider the diagnostic approach to brain metastases in a routine clinical setting. Here we review standard assessment of tissue from intraoperative frozen section analysis to conventional histological and immunohistochemical assays. Clinicopathological differential diagnoses particular to the central nervous system (CNS) axis are discussed as well as commonly used panels of antibodies. Finally, we consider the molecular testing that is currently employed at our own institution, and remark on how the trajectory of molecular pathology is likely to impact the evaluation of brain metastases in the near future.