Between 85 and 90 percent of all tumors of the central nervous system are brain tumors. Brain tumors, like other types of tumors, arise when normal cells that are aged or damaged do not die or when new cells are produced that the body may have no use for. The result is an accumulation of abnormal cells forming into a growth, or tumor. Brain tumors are differentiated between primary and metastatic brain tumors. Primary brain tumors, which begin in the brain, are typically what is referred to when talking about brain tumors. These can be benign (tumor does not contain cancer cells or spread to other parts of the body) or malignant (tumor contains cancer cells that may break away and spread to other body parts). Metastatic brain tumors are types of cancerous growths that originate in a different part of the body and metastasize, or spread, to the brain. Some of the most common types of tumors that readily spread to the brain but originate in other areas of the body are breast cancer, melanoma (malignant skin cancer), colon cancer, and lung cancer.

Tumors are grouped by grade, which is determined by how the tumor cells appear microscopically.

Grade I: Benign growth found in tissue. Tumor cells closely resemble normal brain cells and exhibit slow growth.

Grade II: Malignant tissue is found, in which the cells looks less normal than those found in a Grade I tumor. These tumor cells still grow somewhat slowly.

Grade III: Malignant tissue is found containing cells that do not resemble normal cells in any way and that are anaplastic (growing actively).

Grade IV: Maglignant tissue is found containing cells that appear the most abnormal and exhibit rapid growth.

The different types of primary brain tumors are named after cell types or parts of the brain in which they originate. Adults and children can be affected by primary brain tumors and the site of origination may differ somewhat between adults and children.

Adults will most commonly suffer from one of the following types of primary brain tumors:

- Astrocytoma: A brain tumor that originates in the astrocytes, or glial cells that are shaped in the form of a star, most often of the cerebrum. - Meningioma: A brain tumor that originates in the meninges, or the thin layer of tissue that lines the brain and spinal cord. This type of tumor typically grows more slowly and is mostly benign/a low grade. - Oligodendroglioma: A brain tumor that originates in the cells producing the fatty substance covering and protecting the nerves and is most often found to arise in the cerebrum.

Children, on the other hand, will likely suffer from one of these types of primary brain tumors:

- Medulloblastoma: A oftentimes grade IV brain tumor that originates in the cerebellum. Also called a primitive neuroectodermal tumor. - Grade I or II astrocytoma: A brain tumor that can arise in any area of the brain in children. Its most common form is called juvenile pilocytic astrocytoma, which is grade I. - Ependymoma: A brain tumor that originates in the cells lining the ventricles of the spinal cord. This grade I/II/III tumor can be found in both children and young adults. - Brain stem glioma: A brain tumor that can be grade I/II/III/IV and originates in the lowest part of the brain, the brain stem, which controls breathing, blood pressure and other basic body functions. Diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma is the most common form of this type of brain tumor.

Brain tumors are most commonly accompanied by the following symptoms:

- Headaches, nausea and vomiting
- Problems walking or keeping balance
- Problems with memory
- Problems with coherent speech, vision, or hearing
- Mood changes, altered personality, inability to concentrate
- Jerking of muscles and twitching
- Tingling or numbness of arms and legs

Although these are the most typical symptoms experienced by a person prior to his/her brain tumor diagnosis, the true symptoms depend on where in the brain the tumor is located, how large the tumor has grown, and what type of tumor is present.

Additionally, these symptoms are not in themselves indicative of a brain tumor and could therefore be caused by a variety of other ailments.

After symptoms possibly related to a brain tumor are experienced, a physical exam by a physician will be necessary. During the examination, a family and personal health history will be taken and other tests may be performed to rule out any differential diagnoses.

Some of the tests that might be performed to diagnose a brain tumor may include:

- Neurologic exam: During a neurologic exam, a patient’s vision, hearing, alertness, muscle strength, coordination, and reflexes are checked to test for proper functioning. The physician may also check the eyes to ensure that no swelling is present that may be caused by the tumor suppressing the optic nerve connecting the eye to the brain.

- MRI: During an MRI, the patient will be placed in a large machine that employs magnetic resonance imaging to obtain detailed pictures of the brain. Contrast material, comprised of special dyes, are sometimes injected into a blood vessel to differentiate between the different tissues in the brain. If a tumor is present, it can be easily identified by means of this procedure.

- CT Scan: This procedure consists of an x-ray machine linked to a computer that produces detailed pictures of the brain. Like with the MRI procedure, contrast material can also be used when doing a CT scan, so that any abnormality within the brain can become more easily visible.

- Angiogram: During an angiogram, dye is injected into the bloodstream to help reveal blood vessels within the brain on an x-ray. This x-ray will then display any tumor that may be present in the brain and fed by one of the dyed blood vessels.

- Spinal tap: During a spinal tap, a sample of cerebrospinal fluid is removed with a thin needle typically from the lower spinal column. This fluid is then checked in a laboratory for the presence of cancerous cells and other abnormalities.

- Biopsy: During a biopsy, a tissue sample is removed that is then checked for the presence of cancer cells. The biopsy sample can also be tested for changes in the tissue, since tissue changes may be an indication of future cancer occurrence and other health conditions.

Some individuals seem to be more likely than others to develop a brain tumor at some point in their lives and the following risk factors may account for some of the increased susceptibility:

- Ionizing radiation: People who are repeatedly exposed to high-dose x-rays and other radiation sources are more likely to suffer irreparable cell damage that could result in the growth of a tumor.

- Family history: Although genetics often play a very important role in the development of cancerous growths, most brain tumors do not precisely run in the family. There is only a small percentage of families with this type of illness.

- Environmental factors: While some researchers have suggested that environmental factors such as the use of cell phones, exposure to chemicals at work, or even head injuries could account for unexplained cases of brain tumors, past studies have not presented any conclusive results that link susceptibility to brain tumors to these factors.

There are several treatment options available for people suffering from brain tumors. Depending on the type and grade of the tumor, the location in the brain, the size, and the patient’s overall health and age, the tumor may be removed surgically and/or shrunk by radiation therapy or chemotherapy.

The treating physician will be able to recommend a preferred course of treatment for the patient with brain tumor and discuss the expected results, the overall success rate, and any potential side effects that could accompany a certain type of treatment.

For some patients with a brain tumor, there may even be clinical trials available that help research the success of potentially new treatment methods.

Typically, the first form of treatment chosen for certain types of brain tumors is surgery, which attempts to remove all, most, or a significant portion of the cancer.

If surgery is not possible, in cases where the tumor is located in a critical area of the brain, such as the brain stem, since normal brain tissue might otherwise be harmed or damaged. In this case, radiation therapy might be considered.

Radiation therapy consists of high-energy x-rays, gamma rays, or protons, targeted to kill of brain tumor cells. This form of therapy also follows successful surgeries to kill of any cancer cells that may remain in the area of the removed tumor.

Chemotherapy is another option to rid the brain of tumor cells. During chemotherapy, combinations of drugs are infused into the body to kill of cancer cells. The chemotherapy drugs can be given to the patient either by mouth or intravenously. Once the chemotherapy drugs enter the bloodstream, they travel through the body and begin working on fighting off the cancer cells. Chemotherapy can be performed as either an inpatient (which is more rare) or an outpatient procedure. Common side effects of the procedure, however, include nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, headaches, chills, and overall weakness. Risk of infections due to lowered immunity are also increased.

The content in this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult a doctor before taking any action suggested on this page.