About Brain Tumors


	Brain Tumors: What Are They? Where Do They Come From? Presented by Lisa DeAngelis, MD, Chair, Department of Neurology

Most primary cancers of the central nervous system -- those of the brain and spinal cord -- are defined according to the type of cells from which they arise. The two most common primary brain tumors in adults are high-grade, or malignant, gliomas, which arise from the cells that surround and support the brain's nerve cells, and meningiomas, which are low-grade, non-cancerous, tumors that begin in the membranes that line the skull and cover the brain.

For information on spine and pituitary tumors, visit the Spine Tumor and Pituitary sections of this Web site. For information on pediatric brain cancers, visit the Pediatric Cancer Care section of this Web site.

Overview
Meningiomas are the most common nonmalignant brain tumor in adults, and are often curable with surgery. Glioblastomas, the most common malignant brain tumor in adults, are probably the most resistant of all cancers to treatment.
Risk Factors
The only known risk factors for primary brain tumors are environmental, such as ionizing radiation, or immune suppression. People with certain rare genetic disorders also have an increased risk of developing certain brain tumors.
Symptoms
The symptoms of a central nervous system cancer tumor depends upon its location within the brain or spinal cord. These symptoms can include headache, seizures, numbness, weakness, and problems with walking.
Diagnosis
The neurosurgeon, neurologist, radiologist, and neuropathologist work closely together to ensure the most accurate diagnosis of lesions in the central nervous system, and subsequently the best available treatment.
Treatment
Treatment for central nervous system cancers depends upon the specific kind of tumor diagnosed, and includes surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or a combination of treatments.

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