| The growth of abnormal cells in the tissues of the | | | | • Difficulty with balance |
| brain. Brain tumors can be benign (non-cancerous) or | | | | • Speech difficulties |
| malignant (cancerous). | | | | • Confusion in everyday matter. |
| Brain tumors are classified depending on the exact | | | | Diagnosis |
| site of the tumor, the type of tissue involved, benign | | | | Computed tomography (CT Scan): A computerized |
| or malignant tendencies of the tumor, and other | | | | x-ray machine is used to take a series of detailed |
| factors. Primary brain tumors can arise from the brain | | | | pictures from many different angles. Dye may be |
| cells, the meninges (membranes around the brain), | | | | injected to help to clarify organs and tissues. |
| nerves, or glands. | | | | Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): Powerful |
| Causes of Brain Tumor | | | | magnets waves are used to make a series of |
| The cause of primary brain tumors is unknown. This | | | | detailed pictures. Patients are injected with a |
| is because they are rare, there are many types, and | | | | substance called gadolinium to highlight possible cancer |
| there are many possible risk factors that could play a | | | | cells. |
| role. Exposure to some types of radiation, head | | | | Angiogram. This imaging test uses a dye to visualize |
| injuries, and hormone replacement therapy may be | | | | all the blood vessels in the brain to detect certain |
| risk factors, as well as many others. The risk of using | | | | types of tumors. |
| cell phones is hotly debated. | | | | Lumbar puncture/spinal tap. For this procedure, a |
| Genetic mutations and deletions of tumor suppressor | | | | special needle is placed into the lower back and into |
| genes (i.e., genes that suppress the development of | | | | the spinal canal around the spinal cord. A small amount |
| malignant cells) increase the risk for some types of | | | | of cerebrospinal fluid, which surrounds the brain and |
| brain cancer. Inherited diseases that are associated | | | | spinal cord, can be removed and sent for testing. |
| with brain tumors include the following: | | | | Treatment |
| • Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 | | | | Surgery is required to determine whether a brain |
| (pituitary adenoma) | | | | tumor exists and what type of tumor it is. A small |
| • Neurofibromatosis type 2 (brain and spinal | | | | sample of tumor tissue may be surgically removed |
| cord tumors) | | | | and examined under a microscope. This is called a |
| • Retinoblastoma (malignant retinal glioma) | | | | biopsy. Sometimes a biopsy is done by making a |
| • Tuberous sclerosis (primary brain tumors) | | | | small hole in the skull and using a needle to extract a |
| • Von Hippel-Lindau disease (retinal tumor, | | | | sample of the tumor. |
| CNS tumors) | | | | Radiation therapy is a cancer treatment that uses |
| Signs and Symptoms of Brain Tumor | | | | high-energy x-rays or other types of radiation to kill |
| Signs and symptoms can include the following: | | | | cancer cells. There are two types of radiation |
| • New onset or change in pattern of | | | | therapy. External radiation therapy uses a machine |
| headaches | | | | outside the body to send radiation toward the |
| • Headaches that gradually become more | | | | cancer. Internal radiation therapy uses a radioactive |
| frequent and more severe | | | | substance sealed in needles, seeds, wires, or |
| • Unexplained nausea or vomiting | | | | catheters that are placed directly into or near the |
| • Vision problems, such as blurred vision, | | | | cancer. The way the radiation therapy is given |
| double vision or loss of peripheral vision | | | | depends on the type and stage of the cancer being |
| • Gradual loss of sensation or movement in | | | | treated. |
| an arm or a leg | | | | |