Primary brain tumors include any tumor that starts in the brain. Tumors may be confined to a small area, invasive (spread to nearby areas), benign (not cancerous), or malignant (cancerous).
Tumors can directly destroy brain cells. They can also indirectly damage cells by producing inflammation, compressing other parts of the brain as the tumor grows, causing swelling in the brain, and increasing pressure within the skull.
Brain tumors are classified depending on the exact site of the tumor, the type of tissue involved, benign or malignant tendencies of the tumor, and other factors. Primary brain tumors can arise from the brain cells, the meninges (membranes around the brain), nerves, or glands.
The cause of primary brain tumors is unknown. This is because they are rare, there are many types, and there are many possible risk factors that could play a role. Exposure to some types of radiation, head injuries, and hormone replacement therapy may be risk factors, as well as many others. The risk of using cell phones is hotly debated.
Tumors may occur at any age, but many specific tumors have a particular age group in which they are most common. In adults, gliomas and meningiomas are most common.
Brain tumor - children (2 images)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
A primary brain tumor is a group(mass) of abnormal cells that start in the brain. This article focuses on primary brain tumors in children.Glioblastoma multiforme- children; Ependymoma- children; Glioma- children; Astrocytoma- children; Medullobla...Reviewer: James R. Mason, MD, Oncologist, Director, Blood and Marrow Transplantation Program and Stem Cell Processing Lab, Scripps Clinic, Torrey Pines, California. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 06/10/2008
Metastatic brain tumor (1 image)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
A metastatic brain tumor is brain cancer that has spread from another part of the body.Brain tumor- metastatic(secondary); Cancer- brain tumor(metastatic).Many tumor or cancer types can spread to the brain, the most common being lung cancer, breas...Reviewer: James R. Mason, MD, Oncologist, Director, Blood and Marrow Transplantation Program and Stem Cell Processing Lab, Scripps Clinic, Torrey Pines, California. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 06/10/2008
Cranial CT scan(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Depending on the study being done, you may need to lie on your stomach, back, or side.A cranial CT scan produces images from your upper neck to the top of your head.You must be still during the exam, because movement causes blurred images. If you ...Reviewer: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; and Daniel B. Hoch, PhD, MD, Assistant Professor of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc. Date: 12/22/2008
Head MRI (3 images)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
A magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) scan of the head is a noninvasive method to create detailed pictures of the brain and surrounding nerve tissues.Unlike x-rays and computed tomographic( CT) scans, which use radiation, MRI uses powerful magnets and...Reviewer: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; and Daniel B. Hoch, PhD, MD, Assistant Professor of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc. Date: 12/22/2008
Cancer - resources(Doctor-Reviewed information)
The following organizations are good resources for information on cancer: American Cancer Society - www.cancer.org; Cancer Care - www.cancercare.org; National Cancer Institute - www.cancer.gov. Reviewer: Jennifer K. Mannheim, CPNP, private practice, Seattle, Washington. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 10/18/2008
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