Multi‐component modelling and simulation of metastases proliferation within brain tissue

Originated from a lung tumour, cancer cells can spread via the blood‐vessel system, travel to the cerebrum and may pass the blood‐brain barrier. The extravasation is followed by migration, and the formation of micrometastases. Further proliferation causes interveined metastases. A pressure‐driven infusion of a therapeutic solution counteracts the disturbance by the metastases within the brain. These processes are described with a continuum‐mechanical model based on the Theory of Porous Media. Numerical applications demonstrate the feasibility of the model and include multicellular‐tumour spheroid experiments in the macroscopic simulation of metastases growth and atrophy. (© 2016 Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)