Al,

NO, the chemo for brain mets is not the same as chemo for the rest of the body. In fact, there is no 'good' chemo for brain mets at this time. The drug Temodar is used fairly successfully in some primary brain cancers, with SOME SMALL response in some brain mets. Not a great track record, but from my personal experience, it has few side effects.

There have also been a small number of retrospective studies that look like a few of the chemos MAY pass the BBB in some people. Just not good data, or large trials, as the kind of randomizing needed gets them all freaked out, understandably.

As for getting some scans done in a timely manner, I have to agree with you. I was nearly asymptomatic when my doc asked me if: 'we have pictures of your brain?". When the MRI films came back, my two tumors were small enough to have OPTIONS.

warm regards,
pattyz