Glioblastoma multiforme - adults; Ependymoma - adults; Glioma - adults; Astrocytoma - adults; Medulloblastoma - adults; Neuroglioma - adults; Oligodendroglioma - adults; Meningioma - adults; Cancer - brain tumor (adults)
DefinitionA primary brain tumor is a group (mass) of abnormal cells that start in the brain. This article focuses on primary brain tumors in adults.
See also:
Primary brain tumors include any tumor that starts in the brain. Primary brain tumors can arise from the brain cells, the membranes around the brain (meninges), nerves, or glands.
Tumors can directly destroy brain cells. They can also damage cells by producing inflammation, placing pressure on other parts of the brain, and increasing pressure within the skull.
The cause of primary brain tumors is unknown. There are many possible risk factors that could play a role.
SPECIFIC TUMOR TYPES
Brain tumors are classified depending on the exact site of the tumor, the type of tissue involved, whether they are noncancerous (benign) or cancerous (malignant), and other factors. Sometimes, tumors that start out being less invasive can become more invasive.
Tumors may occur at any age, but many types of tumors are most common in a certain age group. In adults, gliomas and meningiomas are most common.
Gliomas come from glial cells such as astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, and ependymal cells. The gliomas are divided into three types:
Meningiomas are another type of brain tumor. These tumors:
Other primary brain tumors in adults are rare. These include:
A doctor can often identify signs and symptoms that are specific to the tumor location. Some tumors may not cause symptoms until they are very large. Then they can lead to a rapid decline in the person's health. Other tumors have symptoms that develop slowly.
The specific symptoms depend on the tumor's size, location, how far it has spread, and related swelling. The most common symptoms are:
Headaches caused by brain tumors may:
Other symptoms may include:
Other symptoms that may occur with a pituitary tumor:
Most brain tumors increase pressure within the skull and compress brain tissue because of their size and weight.
The following tests may confirm the presence of a brain tumor and identify its location:
Treatment can involve surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. Brain tumors are best treated by a team involving a neurosurgeon, radiation oncologist, oncologist, or neuro-oncologist, and other health care providers, such as neurologists and social workers.
Early treatment often improves the chance of a good outcome. Treatment, however, depends on the size and type of tumor and the general health of the patient. The goals of treatment may be to cure the tumor, relieve symptoms, and improve brain function or the person's comfort.
Surgery is often necessary for most primary brain tumors. Some tumors may be completely removed. Those that are deep inside the brain or that enter brain tissue may be debulked instead of entirely removed. Debulking is a procedure to reduce the tumor's size.
Tumors can be difficult to remove completely by surgery alone, because the tumor invades surrounding brain tissue much like roots from a plant spread through soil. When the tumor cannot be removed, surgery may still help reduce pressure and relieve symptoms.
Radiation therapy is used for certain tumors.
Chemotherapy may be used along with surgery or radiation treatment.
Other medications used to treat primary brain tumors in children may include:
Comfort measures, safety measures, physical therapy, and occupational therapy may be needed to improve quality of life. The patient may need counseling, support groups, and similar measures to help cope with the disorder.
Patients may also consider enrolling in a clinical trial after talking with their treatment team.
Legal advice may be helpful in creating advanced directives such as a power of attorney.
Support GroupsFor additional information, see cancer resources.
ComplicationsCall your health care provider if you develop any new, persistent headaches or other symptoms of a brain tumor.
Call your provider or go to the emergency room if you start having seizures, or suddenly develop stupor (reduced alertness), vision changes, or speech changes.
ReferencesBuckner JC, Brown PD, O'Neill BP, Meyer FB, Wetmore CJ, Uhm JH. Central nervous system tumors. Mayo Clin Proc. 2007;82(10):1271-1286.
Stupp R, Roila F; ESMO Guidelines Working Group. Malignant glioma: ESMO clinical recommendations for diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up. Ann Oncol. 2009;20 Suppl 4:126-128.
Glioblastoma multiforme - adults; Ependymoma - adults; Glioma - adults; Astrocytoma - adults; Medulloblastoma - adults; Neuroglioma - adults; Oligodendroglioma - adults; Lymphoma - adults; Vestibular schwannoma (acoustic neuroma) - adults; Meningioma - adults; Cancer - brain tumor (adults)
DefinitionA primary brain tumor is a group (mass) of abnormal cells that start in the brain. This article focuses on primary brain tumors in adults.
See also:
Primary brain tumors include any tumor that starts in the brain. Primary brain tumors can start from brain cells, the membranes around the brain (meninges), nerves, or glands.
Tumors can directly destroy brain cells. They can also damage cells by producing inflammation, placing pressure on other parts of the brain, and increasing pressure within the skull.
The cause of primary brain tumors is unknown. There are many possible risk factors that could play a role.
SPECIFIC TUMOR TYPES
Brain tumors are classified depending on:
Sometimes, tumors that start out less aggressive can become more aggrssive.
Tumors may occur at any age, but many types of tumors are most common in a certain age group. In adults, gliomas and meningiomas are most common.
Gliomas come from glial cells such as astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, and ependymal cells. The gliomas are divided into three types:
Meningiomas and schwannomas are two other types of brain tumor. These tumors:
Other primary brain tumors in adults are rare. These include:
Some tumors may not cause symptoms until they are very large. Then they can quickly damage a person's health. Other tumors have symptoms that develop slowly.
The symptoms depend on the tumor's size, location, how far it has spread, and whether there is swelling. The most common symptoms are:
Headaches caused by brain tumors may:
Other symptoms may include:
Other symptoms that may occur with a pituitary tumor:
Most brain tumors increase pressure in the skull and press on brain tissue because of their size and weight.
The following tests may confirm the presence of a brain tumor and find its location:
Treatment can involve surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. Brain tumors are best treated by a team that includes:
Early treatment often improves the chance of a good outcome. How you are treated depends on the size and type of tumor and your general health. The goals of treatment may be to cure the tumor, relieve symptoms, and improve brain function or comfort.
Surgery is often needed for most primary brain tumors. Some tumors may be completely removed. Those that are deep inside the brain or that enter brain tissue may be debulked instead of removed. Debulking is a procedure to reduce the tumor's size.
Tumors can be hard to remove completely by surgery alone, because the tumor invades surrounding brain tissue much like roots from a plant spread through soil. When the tumor cannot be removed, surgery may still help reduce pressure and relieve symptoms.
Radiation therapy is used for certain tumors.
Chemotherapy may be used with surgery or radiation treatment.
Other medications used to treat primary brain tumors in children may include:
Comfort measures, safety measures, physical therapy, and occupational therapy may be needed to improve quality of life. Counseling, support groups, and similar measures can help people cope with the disorder.
You may consider enrolling in a clinical trial after talking with your treatment team.
Legal advice may be helpful for creating advanced directives such as a power of attorney.
Support GroupsFor additional information, see cancer resources.
ComplicationsCall your health care provider if you develop any new, persistent headaches or other symptoms of a brain tumor.
Call your provider or go to the emergency room if you start having seizures, or suddenly develop stupor (reduced alertness), vision changes, or speech changes.
ReferencesBuckner JC, Brown PD, O'Neill BP, Meyer FB, Wetmore CJ, Uhm JH. Central nervous system tumors. Mayo Clin Proc. 2007;82(10):1271-1286.
Stupp R, Roila F; ESMO Guidelines Working Group. Malignant glioma: ESMO clinical recommendations for diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up. Ann Oncol. 2009;20 Suppl 4:126-128.
National Comprehensive Cancer Network. NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology: Central nervous system cancers. V.2.2009.
Wen PY, Kesari S. Malignant gliomas in adults. N Engl J Med. 2008 Jul 31;359(5):492-507.
Reviewed ByReview Date: 12/01/2011
Luc Jasmin, MD, PhD, Department of Neurosurgery at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, and Department of Anatomy at UCSF, San Francisco, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
Each year, approximately 700,000 people in the United States are living with a primary brain tumor. It is estimated that around 80,000 new cases of primary brain tumors are diagnosed in adults every year. Brain tumors can occur at any age, but they are most common in older adults and children.
It is not. However, if there may be a 'secondary' tumor in the brain (something that has spread to the brain), it would be wise to start with a chest x-ray to look for the 'primary' tumor.
Glioblastoma multiforme accounts for about 15 percent of all brain tumor cases. The tumor is mostly found in adults, who are between the ages of 45 and 70.
Medulloblastoma is a brain tumor that originates in the cerebellum. It is a highly malignant tumor that occurs in children 10 times as often as in adults.
Brain Tumor Society was created in 1989.
Brain Tumor Foundation was created in 1998.
Glioblastoma is a malignant tumor of the brain. It often invasive and agressive form of brain tumor whereas Glioma is often a benign primary brain tumor. Glioblastoma has the tedency to spread locally or to other part of the brain. Treatment of Glioblastoma includes combination of surgery, radiatoin with or without chemotherapy. Gliomas usually do not spread and are treated by resection alone.
Yes if brain tumor or cancers are their specialty then as a doctor they should have a decent if not vast amount of information on brain tumor symptoms and how to cure the brain tumor.
Yes, a brain tumor is very serious affect. It can kill you. Most people that develop a brain tumor can die shortly afterwards.
How does a brain tumor affect the Brain?
A brain tumor is a growth in a person's brain from rapidly multiplying cells that can affect the way your brain or nervous system works.
His cancerous tumor was inside his brain, which caused a few seizures.