| Brain cancer is a disease of the brain | | | | tumors. Genetic mutations and deletions |
| where cancer cells (malignant) grow in | | | | of tumor suppressor genes (i.e., genes |
| the brain tissue. Cancer cells grow to | | | | that suppress the development of |
| form a mass of cancer tissue (tumor) | | | | malignant cells) increase the risk for |
| that interferes with brain tissue | | | | some types of brain cancer. |
| functions such as muscle control, | | | | Symptoms |
| sensation, memory, and other normal body | | | | The signs and symptoms of a brain tumor |
| functions. Tumors composed of cancer | | | | vary greatly and depend on the brain |
| cells are called malignant tumors, and | | | | tumor's size, location and rate of |
| those composed of noncancerous cells are | | | | growth. |
| called benign tumors. Cancer cells that | | | | Depending on the location and size of |
| develop from brain tissue are called | | | | the tumor, symptoms experienced by each |
| primary brain tumors. Statistics suggest | | | | patient may vary. Most of the common |
| that brain cancer is not rare and is | | | | symptoms are due to increased |
| likely to develop in about 20,000 people | | | | intracranial pressure as the growing |
| per year. | | | | tumor affects surrounding structures: |
| There are two main types of brain | | | | Frequent headaches (reported by 50% of |
| cancer. Primary brain cancer starts in | | | | patients) |
| the brain. Metastatic brain cancer | | | | Blurry vision |
| starts somewhere else in the body and | | | | Nausea and/or vomiting |
| moves to the brain. Brain tumors can be | | | | Personality or cognitive changes |
| benign, with no cancer cells, or | | | | Treatment |
| malignant, with cancer cells that grow | | | | Treatment for brain cancer depends on |
| quickly. | | | | the age of the patient, the stage of the |
| Although such growths are popularly | | | | disease, the type and location of the |
| called brain tumors, not all brain | | | | tumor, and whether the cancer is a |
| tumors are cancer. Cancer is a term | | | | primary tumor or brain metastases. The |
| reserved for malignant tumors. | | | | treatment plan is developed by the |
| Malignant tumors grow and spread | | | | oncology team and the patient. Treatment |
| aggressively, overpowering healthy cells | | | | involves any combination of surgery, |
| by taking their space, blood, and | | | | radiation, and chemotherapy. Some tumors |
| nutrients. (Like all cells of the body, | | | | require several different surgical |
| tumor cells need blood and nutrients to | | | | procedures, and some can be treated with |
| survive.) | | | | radiation alone. |
| Primary tumors | | | | Before treatment begins, most patients |
| The brain is made up of many different | | | | are given steroids, drugs that relieve |
| types of cells. | | | | swelling or edema. Your may receive |
| Some brain cancers occur when one type | | | | anticonvulsant medicine to prevent or |
| of cell transforms from its normal | | | | control seizures. If hydrocephalus is |
| characteristics. Once transformed, the | | | | present, you may need a shunt to drain |
| cells grow and multiply in abnormal | | | | cerebrospinal fluid. A shunt is a long, |
| ways. | | | | thin tube placed in a ventricle of the |
| As these abnormal cells grow, they | | | | brain and then threaded under the skin |
| become a mass, or tumor. | | | | to another part of the body, usually the |
| Causes and Risk Factors | | | | abdomen. It works like a drainpipe. |
| Aside from a known association with | | | | Excess fluid is carried away from the |
| exposure to vinyl chloride, there are no | | | | brain and is absorbed in the abdomen. In |
| known chemical or environmental agents | | | | some cases, the fluid is drained into |
| that lead to the development of brain | | | | the heart. |