Brain tumors can cause serious problems because of the inherent fragility of the neurons within the brain. Because neurons are generally unable to divide and reproduce, brain cancer generally is caused by abnormal cells that come from other parts of the body, though the cells that support and protect brain cells can also become cancerous.
Metastatic Brain Tumors
Metastatic brain tumors are a form of cancer in which a tumor from elsewhere in the body has had cells break off and relocate to the brain. The American Brain Tumor Association (ABTA) notes that cancers of the breast, lung and colon and melanomas (cancer of the skin) all readily metastasize to the brain.
Primary Tumors
Primary brain tumors begin in the brain. These types of tumors can be termed benign or malignant. When a brain tumor is benign, it grows slowly and, while dangerous, is often described as not cancerous. Malignant tumors, on the other hand, are more commonly referred to as brain cancer because of their ability to rapidly divide and invade the neural tissue.
Types
The National Cancer Institute notes that the most common types of primary brain tumors differ depending on whether the patient is an adult or a child. Astrocytomas---which are derived from astrocytes, a type of cell in the brain that supports neurons---are common in both adults and children. The other most common primary brain tumors in adults originate in the meninges (meningioma) and oligodendrocytes (oligodendroglioma). In children, common primary brain tumors can occur in the cerebellum (medulloblastoma), the brain stem (brain stem glioma) and the cells that line the central nervous system (ependyoma).
Symptoms
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke explains that brain tumors can cause a severe headache and seizures. They may also cause sudden episodes of nausea and vomiting as well as problems with vision or hearing. Other symptoms include problems with cognition, motor control and balance, depending on where in the brain the tumor is located.
Treatment
MedlinePlus notes that surgical removal of the tumor is the most common treatment for primary brain tumors because it represents the best chance of eliminating the cancerous tissue. Patients with brain cancer may also receive chemotherapy and radiation treatment either in addition to or as an alternative to surgery.
