| Types of brain tumors | | | | direct alterations in the genes. These abnormalities |
| First class of categorizing of brain tumors is based on | | | | are a result of cascade of events taking place at |
| whether they are benign or malignant in nature. | | | | molecular and even biological levels. |
| Benign brain tumors do not consist of cancer cells | | | | Certain genetic conditions like neurofibromatosis, |
| and do not metastasize. The malignant brain tumors | | | | Li-Fraumeni syndrome, retinoblastoma, etc. can |
| are composed of cancer cells. They are not limited to | | | | augment the chances of developing tumors in the |
| the tissue of origin and spread fast to the | | | | central nervous system. Genetic abnormalities causing |
| neighboring tissues and metastasize. | | | | brain tumors are rarely inherited. They are caused |
| Brain tumors can also be classified as primary and | | | | mainly due to various environmental factors and also |
| secondary tumors. The primary tumors are those | | | | due to various factors that can affect the genetic |
| that originate within the cells of the brain. They could | | | | materials (like DNA) of the cells. Many chemicals are |
| be cancerous or non cancerous. Secondary tumours | | | | present that can alter the genes involved in |
| are the metastasized cells having spread from some | | | | restraining the development of tumors. Workers |
| other part of the body to the brain and are obviously | | | | working in rubber manufacturing factories, oil |
| cancerous. | | | | refineries or as chemists are precariously exposed to |
| Causes of a brain tumor | | | | such chemicals. |
| Exact and definite causes of brain tumors are still not | | | | Also the patients who have been exposed to some |
| known and their reasons remain ambiguous. It is quite | | | | kind of radiations in the past for treating some other |
| clear though that it is never contagious and a person | | | | malignancies are also capable of developing this |
| cannot "catch it" from some one having a tumor. | | | | condition. |
| Though the exact cause still eludes us, there are | | | | Diagnosis and Treatment |
| certain risk factors that increase the chances of one | | | | They are generally diagnosed because of |
| developing the tumor. Gender is a dominant risk | | | | manifestation of certain symptoms and analysis of |
| factor. They are predominantly detected in males. | | | | the neurological functions. The patient is initially tested |
| Age too is a risk factor. Majority of the cases show | | | | in a neurological exam testing all the basic senses, |
| tumor developing in people at the age of 60 and | | | | balance, coordination and memory. Magnetic |
| above. Also, children below the age of 8 years are | | | | Resonance Imaging (MRI) is the prevalent technology |
| more prone to develop it. Other risk factors include | | | | used to diagnose a brain tumor. They are generally |
| family history and exposure to radiations. | | | | treated upon and efforts are put to reduce them to |
| Usually it develops due to the abnormalities in genes | | | | the maximum extent by surgery, radiotherapy |
| that regulate the cell growth cycle resulting in | | | | (radiation treatment) or chemotherapy. These |
| uncontrolled and abnormal division and growth of cells. | | | | treatments are occasionally applied in combination's to |
| These abnormalities in the genes could be due to | | | | produce maximum effect. |
| some rearrangements in the chromosome or due to | | | | |