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Brain Cancer

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Overview

Brain tumors can be cancerous or noncancerous, and they can happen in both children and adults. Even if a tumor isn’t cancer, it can still affect how the brain works if it grows big enough to press on nearby areas. There are different ways to treat brain tumors. 

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What is Brain Cancer?

A brain tumor is a lump or growth of unusual cells in or near the brain. When tumors form in the brain or spine, they are called central nervous system (CNS) tumors. Brain tumors can be cancerous or noncancerous. Some grow fast, while others grow slowly.

Only about one out of every three brain tumors is cancer. But even tumors that aren’t cancer can still affect your brain and health if they get big and press on nearby nerves, blood vessels, or brain tissue. When a tumor starts in the brain, it’s called a primary brain tumor. When it starts in another part of the body and spreads to the brain, it’s called a secondary or metastatic brain tumor. This article talks about primary brain tumors.

Types of Brain Cancer

Doctors and scientists have found over 150 different kinds of brain tumors. These tumors are usually grouped based on where they start and how they behave.

A primary brain tumor can be:

  • Glial: Starts in the brain’s glial cells, which support and protect nerve cells.
  • Non-glial: Starts in other parts of the brain, like nerves, blood vessels, or glands.
  • Benign: Not cancerous and usually grows slowly.
  • Malignant: Cancerous and can grow quickly or spread.

Some of these tumors can also appear in the spinal cord or spine.

Here are some types of brain tumors that are usually benign:

  • Chordomas: Slow-growing tumors found at the base of the skull or lower spine. Most are not cancerous.
  • Craniopharyngiomas: Grow near the pituitary gland deep inside the brain. Even though they are not cancerous, they are hard to remove because of their location.
  • Gangliocytomas, Gangliomas, and Anaplastic Gangliogliomas: Rare tumors that form in nerve cells. Some may be more aggressive than others.
  • Glomus Jugulare: These are found just under the skull, near the top of the neck vein (jugular vein). They are the most common type of glomus tumor.
  • Meningiomas: The most common type of primary brain tumor. They grow slowly in the meninges, the protective layers around the brain and spinal cord. Most are benign, but a small number can be cancerous.
  • Pineocytomas: These slow-growing tumors form in the pineal gland, a small gland deep in the brain that makes melatonin (a sleep-related hormone).
  • Pituitary Adenomas: These tumors start in the pituitary gland at the base of the brain. This gland controls many hormones in the body. These tumors usually grow slowly and can sometimes make too much hormone.
  • Schwannomas: Common in adults, these tumors start in Schwann cells, which help carry nerve signals. The most common type is an acoustic neuroma, which affects the nerve that connects the inner ear to the brain.

About 78% of cancerous brain tumors that start in the brain are gliomas. These come from glial cells, which help nerve cells function properly.

Types of gliomas include:

  • Astrocytoma: The most common glioma. It forms in star-shaped glial cells called astrocytes. These tumors can appear in many parts of the brain but are often found in the cerebrum.
  • Ependymoma: Usually forms near the brain’s ventricles (fluid-filled spaces). These tumors grow from ependymal cells, which help move brain fluid.
  • Glioblastoma (GBM): A very aggressive and fast-growing type of astrocytoma. GBM is one of the most serious brain cancers.
  • Oligodendroglioma: A rare tumor that starts in cells that make myelin — the layer that protects and insulates brain nerves.

Another type of malignant brain tumor is Medulloblastoma:

  • This fast-growing tumor forms near the base of the skull.
  • It is the most common type of brain cancer found in children.

Risk Factors

Several things can raise a person's chances of developing a brain tumor. These risk factors do not mean someone will get a tumor, but they can increase the likelihood.

  • Family History:

     Brain tumors rarely run in families. Only around 5 to 10 percent of all cancers are passed down through genes. Still, if several people in your family have had brain tumors, it’s a good idea to talk to your doctor. They might suggest seeing a genetic counselor to look into it further.

  • Age:

     As people get older, their risk for many types of brain tumors goes up. While brain tumors can happen at any age, they are more common in adults over 50.

  • Chemical Exposure:

     Working around certain chemicals, especially in industrial or factory settings, can increase the risk of brain cancer. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has a list of chemicals found in workplaces that may raise cancer risk.

  • Radiation Exposure:

     Being exposed to ionizing radiation, which is a high-energy form of radiation, can raise the risk of brain tumors. This type of radiation can come from cancer treatments or environmental sources like nuclear accidents. (Examples include the nuclear disasters in Chernobyl and Fukushima, where many people were exposed to harmful radiation.)

  • No History of Chickenpox:

     A study published in 2016 found something interesting, people who had chickenpox as children were 21 percent less likely to develop gliomas (a type of brain tumor) later in life. The reason is not fully understood, but the link was strong enough to be noted in research.

Symptoms

Some people with a brain tumor may not feel anything unusual, especially if the tumor is small. But when symptoms do appear, they depend on where the tumor is in the brain, how big it is, and what type it is.

  • Headaches that are worse in the morning or wake you up at night
  • Seizures
  • Trouble thinking, speaking, or understanding words
  • Personality or behavior changes
  • Weakness or numbness on one side of the body
  • Balance problems or dizziness
  • Blurred or double vision
  • Blurred or double vision
  • Hearing loss or ringing in the ears
  • Numbness or tingling in the face
  • Nausea or vomiting, especially in the morning
  • Feeling confused or disoriented
  • If you notice these symptoms, it’s best to check with a doctor. They can figure out what’s going on and recommend the right next steps.

Causes

Doctors know that brain tumors start when certain genes in a brain cell become damaged. These genes are found in your DNA and help control how cells grow, divide, and die.

When the DNA changes, it can give cells the wrong instructions. This can cause brain cells to grow too quickly or live longer than they should. Over time, these abnormal cells form a tumor and begin to crowd out healthy brain tissue.

Why Do These DNA Changes Happen?

In some cases, people are born with changes in their genes. These are inherited and passed down from a parent. In other cases, the changes happen later in life, often due to environmental exposure, like high levels of radiation from X-rays or earlier cancer treatments.

Sometimes, these environmental causes are the only reason for the gene damage.

Genetic Conditions Linked to Brain Tumors

A few rare inherited conditions can raise the risk of brain tumors. These include:

  • Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1 gene)
  • Neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2 gene)
  • Turcot syndrome (APC gene)
  • Gorlin syndrome (PTCH gene)
  • Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC1 and TSC2 genes)
  • Li-Fraumeni syndrome (TP53 gene)

Still, only about 5% to 10% of people with brain tumors have a family history of the condition.

Diagnosis

Figuring out if someone has a brain tumor can take time and usually involves different types of doctors. Sometimes, a tumor is found by accident during a scan for something else.

If you have symptoms that suggest a brain tumor, your doctor will first:

  • Do a physical examination
  • Ask about your symptoms
  • Go over your past and current health issues
  • Review any medications you’re taking
  • Ask about past surgeries or treatments
  • Check your family’s medical history
Neurological Exam

Your doctor may also do a neurological exam. This checks how well your brain and nerves are working. They’ll look at things like:

  • Balance and coordination
  • Memory and thinking
  • Vision and hearing
  • Reflexes

Changes in these areas can help doctors figure out which part of the brain might be affected. If a tumor is suspected, the next step is usually a brain scan, most often an MRI.

Tests Used to Diagnose a Brain Tumor
01
Brain MRI or CT scan
  • An MRI is the most accurate way to see brain tumors.
  • A CT scan is used if an MRI isn’t possible.
  • Before the scan, you may be given a contrast dye through a vein. This helps the tumor show up more clearly.
  • These scans can show the tumor’s size, location, and how it might be affecting nearby brain tissue.
  • Sometimes, doctors also scan other parts of the body (like the lungs, colon, or breasts) to check if the tumor started elsewhere and spread to the brain.
02
Biopsy
To find out what kind of tumor it is and if it’s cancerous, doctors usually need to take a sample of it, called a biopsy. 
  • A neurosurgeon may do this during surgery to remove part or all of the tumor.
  • If the tumor is in a hard-to-reach area, a stereotactic biopsy might be done instead. This involves drilling a small hole in the skull and using a needle to collect tissue.
03
Spinal Tap (Lumbar Puncture)
If doctors think the tumor may have spread to the covering of the brain (the meninges), they might do a spinal tap.
  • A small needle is used to take out a bit of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from the spine.
  • The fluid is sent to a lab to look for cancer cells.
04
Specialized Tests
Doctors may also use other tests, such as:
  • Blood or CSF tests to check for tumor markers (substances released by certain tumors)
  • Genetic tests to look for changes in DNA that are linked to specific types of brain tumors
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Treatments

Most women who have endometrial cancer would have surgery. The treatment plan you will have around this disease depends on how you feel overall and what type of disease you might have. Other treatments you might have included:

Getting Ready for Treatment (Prehabilitation)
Before treatment begins, it can be helpful to take steps that support your overall health and well-being. This process is known as prehabilitation or prehab. It may include physical activity, a balanced diet, emotional support, and quitting smoking if you smoke. Prehab is designed to help you feel more in control, improve your ability to cope with treatment and support a smoother recovery.
Treatment Options for Brain and Spinal Cord Tumors
The most common treatments for brain and spinal cord tumors include surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. You may receive one or a combination of these treatments depending on your diagnosis. Each option works differently and is chosen based on the tumor type, location, and how it responds to specific therapies.
Surgery for Brain Tumors
Surgery for Brain Tumors
Surgery is often the first step in treating a brain tumor. The goal is to remove as much of the tumor as safely as possible. In some cases, surgery is also used to reduce pressure on the brain by draining fluid buildup, a condition called hydrocephalus. Depending on where the tumor is located, complete removal may or may not be possible, but even partial removal can help reduce symptoms and guide further treatment.
Radiotherapy for Brain Tumors
Radiotherapy for Brain Tumors
Radiotherapy uses high-energy X-rays to destroy tumor cells or stop them from growing. It is commonly used when surgery isn't possible or after surgery to target any remaining tumor cells. Radiotherapy is carefully planned to focus only on the tumor while protecting nearby healthy brain tissue as much as possible.
Chemotherapy for Brain Tumors
Chemotherapy for Brain Tumors
Chemotherapy involves the use of drugs that kill cancer cells or stop them from growing. It is sometimes used for specific types of brain tumors, either on its own or alongside other treatments like radiotherapy. The effectiveness of chemotherapy for brain tumors can vary because of the blood-brain barrier, which limits how well some drugs reach the brain.
Targeted Therapy for Brain Tumors
Managing Brain Tumor Symptoms
In addition to treating the tumor itself, you may need medications to help manage symptoms caused by the tumor. These can include steroids to reduce swelling, anti-seizure medicines, pain relief, and anti-nausea drugs. Managing these symptoms is an important part of care and can help improve your quality of life during treatment.
If the Tumor Comes Back
If the Tumor Comes Back
If your brain tumor returns, your medical team may suggest additional treatment. This could include more surgery, radiotherapy, or chemotherapy depending on your previous treatment and overall health. Your doctor will discuss the best options available to manage the tumor and reduce symptoms.
Follow-Up After Treatment
Follow-Up After Treatment
After treatment ends, you’ll have regular follow-up appointments to check how you’re doing. These visits help your healthcare team monitor your recovery, look out for any signs that the tumor might return, and address any side effects or concerns. Follow-up care is an important part of staying healthy after treatment for a brain tumor.

Side Effects of Treatment

Brain tumors can lead to different side effects that may affect your day-to-day life. Since different areas of the brain control different functions, the side effects you experience depend on the tumor’s size, location, and how fast it’s growing. Below are some common side effects people may face, along with ways others have found helpful in coping with them.

  • Personality Changes: A brain tumor can sometimes lead to noticeable changes in personality. This might include feeling more anxious, confused, or behaving in ways that are out of character. These changes can be distressing for both the person with the tumor and their loved ones. Talking to a mental health professional or joining a support group can help you manage these feelings and better understand what's happening.
  • Memory Difficulties: Memory problems are another common issue. A brain tumor might affect short-term memory, making it harder to remember recent events or keep track of tasks. Some people find it helpful to use notes, reminders on their phone, or ask family members for support. Creating a daily routine can also reduce the mental load and make things easier to manage.
  • Communication Difficulties: Tumors in certain parts of the brain can affect how you understand or use language. This might make speaking, reading, or writing more difficult. Speech therapy can help improve communication skills, and many people find that with practice and patience, they can regain some of their ability over time.
  • Fatigue: Feeling extremely tired is one of the most common side effects of both brain tumors and the treatments used to manage them. This type of fatigue doesn’t always improve with rest. Planning rest breaks, conserving energy during the day, and getting help with everyday tasks can make a big difference.
  • Depression: A brain tumor diagnosis and its impact on daily life can sometimes lead to depression. This might include feelings of sadness, low energy, or losing interest in things you once enjoyed. Talking to your doctor, counselor, or others who have been through a similar experience can provide support and guidance. Medication or therapy might also be helpful.
  • Thinking and Concentration (Cognition): Brain tumors and treatments like surgery or radiation can affect your ability to think, concentrate, or solve problems. This may make tasks like cooking, managing money, or working more difficult. Strategies like breaking tasks into smaller steps, using checklists, and asking for help when needed can be useful.
  • Seizures (Epilepsy): Up to 60% of people with brain tumors will experience a seizure at least once. Seizures can vary in intensity and type. If you’ve had one, your doctor might prescribe anti-seizure medication to help prevent more. It’s also important to take safety precautions in case a seizure happens again, such as avoiding certain activities like driving unless your doctor says it's safe.
  • Learning Difficulties in Children: More than half of children with brain tumors may have some learning difficulties. These can affect reading, writing, attention, or processing information. Extra support at school, such as an individual learning plan or help from a special education teacher, can make a big difference in how a child learns and grows.
  • Vision Problems: About 28% of people with a brain tumor report having problems with their eyesight. This can include blurry vision, double vision, or even loss of part of the visual field. Depending on the cause, glasses, eye exercises, or vision therapy might help. It’s important to let your doctor know if you notice any changes in your vision.

Support

Such news as uterine or endometrial cancer is too heavy on a person's mind. However, in the USA, there are types of help that will provide medical, emotional, financial, and practical needs. These resources can make a huge difference for patients undergoing treatment and recovery.

Family, friends, and support groups can help you feel less alone and more supported during treatment.
Emotional Support
A brain cancer diagnosis can bring many emotions—fear, sadness, stress, or anger. Talking to someone about how you feel can help. This could be a counselor, therapist, or support group. Many people feel better when they connect with others going through similar situations. Sharing your story or just listening can make you feel less alone.
Volunteers, patient advocates, and social workers can help with daily tasks and offer guidance during treatment.
Practical Support
Daily tasks can feel harder during treatment. Social workers, patient navigators, and hospital staff can help with things like setting appointments, understanding paperwork, or finding financial aid. Some services can help with meals, transportation, or home care if needed.
Volunteers, patient advocates, and social workers can help with daily tasks and offer guidance during treatment.
Medical Support
Your healthcare team includes more than just your doctor. Nurses, pain specialists, physical therapists, and others work together to help you manage side effects and stay as comfortable as possible. Some people also benefit from palliative care, which focuses on improving the quality of life during and after treatment. 
Family and friends can be a great source of emotional support.
Family and Friends
Your loved ones often want to help but might not know what to do. Letting them know specific ways they can support you, like driving you to appointments, helping with errands, or simply spending time together can make a big difference. It’s okay to ask for help when you need it. 
Transportation and Accommodating Aid
Spiritual Support
Some people find comfort in their faith or personal beliefs during difficult times. Chaplains and spiritual care providers are available at many hospitals, or you may choose to talk with someone from your community or place of worship. Finding moments of peace and reflection can offer strength. 
Support Groups and Resources
Support Groups and Resources
There are many local and online groups where people with brain cancer, and their families, can share experiences, advice, and encouragement. Organizations also offer information, helplines, and educational resources to help you understand your condition and treatment options. 
Resources for managing daily tasks and offering guidance during treatment.
You’re Not Alone:
No one should go through brain cancer by themselves. Asking for support and accepting help is a sign of strength. With the right care and people around you, it’s possible to feel more in control and better supported through every step of the journey.

Research

Research on brain cancer is helping doctors better understand this complex disease and find new ways to treat it. Scientists around the world are working to discover what causes brain tumors, how they grow, and how to treat them more safely and effectively. These efforts are giving hope to patients and families and leading to better care in the future.

01
Understanding Brain Cancer Better
Researchers are working hard to learn more about how brain cancer starts and grows. They study what causes healthy brain cells to turn into cancer, how tumors behave, and why some types grow faster than others. By understanding this, doctors can create better ways to find and treat brain tumors early.
02
Improving Diagnosis
New imaging tools and lab tests are being developed to help doctors spot brain tumors more accurately and quickly. Some researchers are also studying blood tests and genetic markers that may help detect brain cancer without needing surgery or scans. Early diagnosis often leads to better treatment results.
03
Better Treatment Options
Many research studies focus on improving treatments. This includes finding new chemotherapy drugs, using radiation more precisely, and testing advanced surgery techniques. Scientists are also working on treatments that target only cancer cells, leaving healthy brain tissue safe. These are called targeted therapies.
04
Immunotherapy and Gene Therapy
Researchers are exploring how to use the body’s immune system to fight brain cancer. This is called immunotherapy. Gene therapy is another area being studied, where scientists try to fix or replace the damaged genes that lead to cancer. Both of these methods could change how brain cancer is treated in the future.
05
Clinical Trials
Clinical trials are studies that test new treatments in real patients. These trials are an important part of brain cancer research. They help doctors learn which treatments work best and are safe. Patients who join trials may get access to new treatments before they are widely available.
06
Quality of Life Studies
Researchers also study how brain cancer and its treatment affect daily life. This includes memory, thinking skills, emotions, and energy levels. These studies help doctors find ways to reduce side effects and improve how patients feel during and after treatment.
07
Working Together Worldwide
Brain cancer research is a team effort. Scientists, doctors, and medical centers around the world share what they learn. By working together, they can make progress faster and bring hope to people living with brain tumors.

Prevention

There’s no sure way to prevent a brain tumor. But you can lower your chances by avoiding things that may increase your risk, like smoking or being exposed to high levels of radiation. 

 If someone in your close family, like a parent or sibling, has had a brain tumor, let your doctor know. They might suggest genetic counseling to check if you have any inherited conditions linked to brain tumors. 

Questions to Ask your Healthcare Provider about Brain Cancer

Getting diagnosed with a brain tumor or cancer can be overwhelming. You’re not just trying to process the diagnosis, you’re also trying to understand the treatment choices, manage emotions, and figure out the next steps. Asking the right questions can help you feel more in control and better prepared. Here are some helpful questions you might want to ask your doctor, broken down by stage of the treatment journey.

Understanding your diagnosis and the plan ahead is key. These questions can help guide the conversation with your care team:

  • Q1. What type, stage, and grade of tumor do I have?
  • Q2. Why is surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation recommended in my case?
  • Q3. What are the possible risks and benefits of the treatment?
  • Q4. Will I need more than one type of treatment? If so, in what order will I receive them?
  • Q5. How will the treatment be given, and what should I expect during it?
  • Q6. How long will treatment last—how many weeks or sessions?
  • Q7. Am I in good enough health to go through this treatment?
  • Q8. What’s the likelihood that the treatment will be successful?
Questions to Ask

As you begin treatment, daily routines and side effects become a concern. Ask your doctor:

  • Q1. Can I drive myself to treatment sessions?
  • Q2. Will I be able to continue with work or other normal activities?
  • Q3. What side effects might I experience, and how are they treated?
  • Q4. How will I likely feel during and after chemotherapy or radiation?
  • Q5. Should I follow a specific diet?
  • Q6. Is it okay to exercise?
  • Q7. Can I still have sex?
  • Q8. Is it safe to smoke or drink alcohol?
Question to ask

Once treatment finishes, follow-up and life after cancer become the focus. Here’s what to ask:

  • Q1. How will we know if the treatment worked or if I’m in remission?
  • Q2. What are the chances the cancer will come back?
  • Q3. How soon can I go back to work, exercise, or other everyday activities?
  • Q4. How often do I need to come in for checkups?
  • Q5. Will I need more scans or blood tests in the future?
Questions to Ask