Brain Tumor

A brain tumor is a rapid growth of abnormal cells inside the skull. There are two forms of brain tumors. A tumor that begins its growth in the brain is called a primary brain tumor. A tumor that starts in another part of the body, such as the liver or breast, and spreads to the brain, is a secondary or metastatic tumor.

Not all brain tumors are caused by cancer. Non-cancerous tumors are called benign tumors. These are growths that do not invade tissue or spread to the rest of the body. Benign tumors have well-defined borders.

Brain tumors may cause headaches, seizures, vision or speech problems, irritability or rapid mood changes, dizziness, weakness, difficulty walking or handling objects, nausea, and vomiting. If any of these symptoms occur without apparent cause, seek medical care immediately.

Treatment depends on the type, location, and how advanced the brain tumor is:

• Surgery removes the tumor and relieves pressure in the brain. If a cancerous tumor has spread and cannot be removed, surgery can be used to relieve symptoms.
• Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill the cancer cells.
• Radiation therapy uses high-dose x-rays to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors.
• Hormone therapy uses hormones to stop the cancer cells from growing.
• Biological therapy uses methods to get your body to fight the cancer.

Last Reviewed 2005

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

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