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Duke Center for Brain and Spine Metastasis @dukemets.bsky.social · 27/06/2025

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.

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Duke Center for Brain and Spine Metastasis @dukemets.bsky.social · 26/06/2025

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

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Duke Center for Brain and Spine Metastasis @dukemets.bsky.social · 24/06/2025

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...

neurosurgery.duke.edu

Foushee reintroduces Brain Spine Metastasis Awareness Month resolution

Rep. Valerie Foushee (NC-04) Monday reintroduced a resolution designating June as Brain and Spine Metastasis Awareness Month.

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Duke Center for Brain and Spine Metastasis @dukemets.bsky.social · 24/06/2025

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

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Duke Center for Brain and Spine Metastasis @dukemets.bsky.social · 23/06/2025

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

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Duke Center for Brain and Spine Metastasis @dukemets.bsky.social · 20/06/2025

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...

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Duke Center for Brain and Spine Metastasis @dukemets.bsky.social · 19/06/2025

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.

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Duke Center for Brain and Spine Metastasis @dukemets.bsky.social · 18/06/2025

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...

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Duke Center for Brain and Spine Metastasis @dukemets.bsky.social · 17/06/2025

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

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Duke Center for Brain and Spine Metastasis @dukemets.bsky.social · 16/06/2025

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

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Duke Center for Brain and Spine Metastasis @dukemets.bsky.social · 13/06/2025

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

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Duke Center for Brain and Spine Metastasis @dukemets.bsky.social · 12/06/2025

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...

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Duke Center for Brain and Spine Metastasis @dukemets.bsky.social · 11/06/2025

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

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Duke Center for Brain and Spine Metastasis @dukemets.bsky.social · 10/06/2025

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.

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Duke Center for Brain and Spine Metastasis @dukemets.bsky.social · 09/06/2025

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.

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Duke Center for Brain and Spine Metastasis @dukemets.bsky.social · 09/06/2025

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

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Duke Center for Brain and Spine Metastasis @dukemets.bsky.social · 06/06/2025

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.

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Duke Center for Brain and Spine Metastasis @dukemets.bsky.social · 05/06/2025

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.

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Duke Center for Brain and Spine Metastasis @dukemets.bsky.social · 04/06/2025

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

A recent 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.

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Duke Center for Brain and Spine Metastasis @dukemets.bsky.social · 03/06/2025

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...

LITT (laser interstitial thermal therapy) is a minimally invasive surgical technique. LITT can be effective for recurrent brain tumors, radiation necrosis, and tumors deep within the brain that would otherwise be inoperable.

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Duke Center for Brain and Spine Metastasis @dukemets.bsky.social · 02/06/2025

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

Among patients with lung cancer, about 16-20% develop brain metastases.

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Duke Center for Brain and Spine Metastasis @dukemets.bsky.social · 29/05/2025

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...

dukecancerinstitute.org

New AI Methods Advance Diagnosis After Brain Metastasis Treatment

New research from a team of experts at Duke University School of Medicine highlights the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and computational methods to differentiate between local recurrence and rad...

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Duke Center for Brain and Spine Metastasis @dukemets.bsky.social · 08/05/2025

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.

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Duke Center for Brain and Spine Metastasis @dukemets.bsky.social · 05/05/2025

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

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Duke Center for Brain and Spine Metastasis @dukemets.bsky.social · 01/05/2025

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

National Cancer Research Month
Zach Reitman looks at a slide under a microscope

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Duke Center for Brain and Spine Metastasis @dukemets.bsky.social · 14/04/2025

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...

“Our findings reveal a previously unreported risk of brain tissue damage in patients who receive dual immune-checkpoint blockade therapies within four weeks of radiosurgery,” said senior author Zachary J. Reitman, M.D., Ph.D., assistant professor in the departments of Radiation Oncology, Neurosurgery and Pathology at Duke University School of Medicine. “Identifying this risk can potentially lead to more effective use of these therapies to maximize tumor control and reduce adverse effects.”

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Duke Center for Brain and Spine Metastasis @dukemets.bsky.social · 10/04/2025

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.

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Duke Center for Brain and Spine Metastasis @dukemets.bsky.social · 31/03/2025

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...

journals.lww.com

Associations Between Problem List Items and Clinically... : Spine

es and lower quality of life in cancer patients. Patients with metastatic spine disease are particularly vulnerable to clinically significant levels of distress. However, specific factors contributing...

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Duke Center for Brain and Spine Metastasis @dukemets.bsky.social · 12/03/2025

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...

abc11.com

ABC11 Together Perspectives for March: Durham Crop Hunger Walk and Walk to Defeat Dementia

ABC11 Together Perspectives for March includes fundraiser for lung cancer research

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Duke Center for Brain and Spine Metastasis @dukemets.bsky.social · 07/03/2025

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

today.duke.edu

Explainer: Why Universities Need Support for Research Facilities and Administrative Costs | Duke Today

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Duke Center for Brain and Spine Metastasis @dukemets.bsky.social · 20/02/2025

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

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Duke Center for Brain and Spine Metastasis @dukemets.bsky.social · 10/02/2025

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.

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Duke Center for Brain and Spine Metastasis @dukemets.bsky.social · 07/02/2025

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

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Duke Center for Brain and Spine Metastasis @dukemets.bsky.social · 06/02/2025

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...

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Duke Center for Brain and Spine Metastasis @dukemets.bsky.social · 05/02/2025

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.

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Duke Center for Brain and Spine Metastasis @dukemets.bsky.social · 04/02/2025

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.

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Duke Center for Brain and Spine Metastasis @dukemets.bsky.social · 16/01/2025

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

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Duke Center for Brain and Spine Metastasis @dukemets.bsky.social · 15/01/2025

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.

Six medical professionals in white coats stand in a glass walkway.

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