1. What are Malignant Brain Tumors?
Malignant brain tumors contain cancer cells that are likely to grow rapidly and invade the healthy tissue in the brain surrounding the tumor. According to the U.S. National Cancer Institute, it is very rare for cancer cells to break away from a malignant brain tumor and spread to other parts of the body. When it does spread to other parts of the body, it is called metastasis. Sometimes a malignant tumor doesn't invade the healthy tissue around it and may be contained within a layer of tissue or may be confined by the bones of the skull or another structure in the head. This is called an encapsulated tumor.
2. More About Tumors
Cancers are named after the part of the body where they originate. For example, if the cancer started in the brain, it is brain cancer even if it travels or appears later in another part of the body. Most brain tumors are secondary tumors that started in another part of the body. (For example, a tumor that started in the breast and then moved to the brain would be breast cancer or a secondary tumor found in the brain.) Tumors that begin in brain tissue are called primary tumors. These tumors are named after the type of cells or part of the brain where they started.
3. Symptoms of Brain Cancer
Symptoms may be caused when a tumor presses on a nerve or damages a certain area of the brain. According to the NCI they also may be caused when the brain swells or fluid builds up in the skull. Common symptoms include headaches, nausea or vomiting, changes in speech, vision or hearing, problems balancing or walking, changes in mood, personality or ability to concentrate, memory problems, twitching, numbness or tingling in your arms or legs. NCI cautions that these symptoms are not sure signs of a brain tumor and could be caused by other conditions. Anyone with these symptoms should see a doctor.
4. Can my Cell Phone Cause Brain Cancer?
The National Cancer Institute conducted a study on this very topic because there was some question about whether the radiation emitted from the transmitter in hand-held cellular phones could cause cancer. The study found that cell phones do not pose a cancer risk. For more information, check out the Institute's website at http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/brain-tumors-cell-phones.
