Brain metastases develop when cells from tumours — most commonly breast, lung and colorectal cancers, renal cell carcinoma and melanoma — spread to the brain. Malignant spread to the brain is associated with extremely poor outcomes. Download Image

Breast cancer is the most frequent malignancy in women. At the molecular level, it is a heterogeneous disease with molecular features that are used to guide treatment. Download Image

Burkitt lymphoma (BL) is an aggressive form of B cell lymphoma that can affect children and adults. Most patients with BL can be treated successfully with chemotherapy, but new therapeutic approaches are required for relapsed or refractory disease. Download Image

Endometrial cancer (EC) is a malignancy of the inner lining of the uterus. Most cases occur in women aged 65–75 years; however, 14% of ECs are diagnosed in pre-menopausal women, with 5% occuring in women <40 years. Download Image

Gliomas are primary brain tumours that can occur in children and adults. Prognosis varies widely depending on the molecular characteristics of the tumour. Gliomas are classified according to the 2021 WHO classification of central nervous system (CNS) tumours. Download Image

Although often colloquially referred to as ‘skin cancer’, melanoma is a malignancy of melanocytes, which are the cells that produce pigment throughout the body, including in internal organs. The most frequently occurring form is cutaneous (skin) melanoma, but the disease can affect the eyes and, rarely, the digestive tract. Download Image

Ovarian cancer can be subdivided into different histological subtypes, such as high-grade serous, low-grade serous, clear-cell, mucinous and endometrioid carcinomas. Each subtype has different risk factors, molecular characteristics and clinical features. Download Image

Primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) is a diffuse large B cell lymphoma that exclusively affects the brain, spinal cord, meninges or eyes. Download Image

Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men. Genetic mutations in basal or luminal prostate epithelial cells are considered the primary driver of disease. Early diagnosis can result in favourable outcomes and high long-term survival but prognosis for men with castration-resistant metastatic disease is relatively poor. Download Image

Testicular cancer most often results from the aberrant development of germ cells towards mature sperm; these cancers are commonly referred to as testicular germ cell tumours (TGCTs). The WHO classifies TGCTs as type I, type II or type III based on factors including the germ cell of origin and tumor histology. Download Image

The incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) in individuals <50 years of age (that is, young-onset CRC (YO-CRC)) is increasing globally, despite a stable or declining incidence of CRC in high-income countries since the early 2000s. By 2030, ~11% of all colon cancers and ~23% of all rectal cancers are predicted to be young onset. Download Image