Brain tumor

Sometimes, cells in the brain grow too much.

This can make a small lump. This lump is called a tumor.

Some lumps start inside the brain. Other lumps come from parts of the body outside the brain.

Some lumps are not cancerous. These are called benign. Other lumps are cancerous. These are called malignant.

A tumor can change how a person feels. It might cause a headache. It may make it hard to see or walk. It can even change how a person acts.

Doctors use special pictures to find a tumor. They use machines to look inside the head. This helps them see where the lump is.

Doctors can use many ways to help. They may use surgery to take the lump out. They may also use medicine. Doctors work hard to help people get well.

A brain tumor happens when cells grow out of control. This creates a mass in the brain.

There are two main types of tumors. Some are benign, which means they are not cancerous. Others are malignant, which means they are cancerous. Some tumors start inside the brain. These are called primary tumors. Other tumors spread from elsewere in the body. These are called secondary tumors.

Symptoms depend on the size and location of the mass. A tumor in the frontal lobe can change how a person thinks. A tumor in the occipital lobe can hurt vision. Other signs include headaches, seizures, or trouble walking.

Doctors find tumors using special scans. They use CT scans or MRI scans to see inside the head. They might also use a biopsy. This is when a doctor takes a tiny piece of the mass to study it.

To help, doctors may use surgery. They might also use radiation or medicine. Some medicines help lower swelling around the tumor. Scientists are also studying ways to use the body's own immune system to help.

A brain tumor is a mass of cells that grow out of control. This happens when cells in the brain do not stop dividing. These masses are often called brain cancer. There are two main kinds of tumors. Benign tumors are not cancerous and usually grow in just one spot. Malignant tumors are cancerous and can be more dangerous. Some tumors are primary, meaning they start inside the brain. Others are secondary, which means they spread from a tumor in a different part of the body.

How a tumor affects a person depends on its size and location. The brain has different parts that do different jobs. For example, the frontal lobe helps with planning and personality. A tumor here might change how someone acts or thinks. The occipital lobe handles vision, so a tumor there could cause sight problems. The cerebellum helps with balance and moving muscles. If a tumor is in the brainstem, it might cause seizures or breathing changes.

Doctors use special tools to find these masses. They often start with a medical exam to check for signs. Then, they use imaging like a CT scan or an MRI scan. These scans create pictures of the inside of the head. A CT scan uses X-rays to see the brain. An MRI uses magnets to make detailed images. Doctors may also perform a biopsy. This is when they take a tiny piece of the mass to study it.

Scientists are still learning why most brain tumors happen. For some people, the cause is unknown. Up to 4% of brain cancers may come from CT scan radiation. Some people are also born with conditions that increase their risk. These include names like neurofibromatosis and von Hippel-Lindau disease. In children under 15, brain tumors are the second most common cancer. This is after a type called acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Treating a tumor can involve many different steps. Doctors might use surgery to remove the mass. They may also use radiation therapy or chemotherapy. Some medicines, like dexamethasone, help decrease swelling around the tumor. If a person has seizures, they might take anticonvulsant medication. Scientists are currently studying ways to use the immune system to fight tumors. Outcomes vary depending on the type of tumor and how far it has spread.

A brain tumor is a mass of cells that grow out of control within the brain. This abnormal growth occurs when cells do not stop dividing like they should. These masses are sometimes called brain cancer. Scientists classify tumors into two main categories: benign and malignant. Benign tumors are non-cancerous and usually grow in only one area. Malignant tumors are cancerous and can be much more dangerous.

Tumors are also categorized by where they first appear. Primary tumors originate directly within the brain tissue. Secondary tumors, also known as brain metastasis, start elsewhere in the body and spread to the brain. In fact, secondary tumors are about four times as common as primary ones. About half of these metastatic tumors come from lung cancer. Globally, primary brain tumors affect roughly 250,000 people every year.

The brain is protected by a three-layered covering called the meninges. These layers include the dura mater, the arachnoid mater, and the pia mater. The arachnoid and pia layers are often called the leptomeninges. Between these layers is the subarachnoid space, which contains cerebrospinal fluid. This fluid supports and protects the brain tissue. Tumors that grow in these protective membranes are called meningiomas. While these are often benign, they can still be life-threatening depending on their size and location.

Inside the brain, cells are divided into two main types: neurons and glia. Neurons carry signals, while glial cells provide structural and metabolic support. Primary tumors that grow from glial cells are called gliomas. These are often malignant by the time doctors find them. The brain is divided into specific regions called lobes, each with a unique job. A tumor's impact depends heavily on which part of the brain it touches.

Symptoms change based on the tumor's location and size. A tumor in the frontal lobe might cause personality changes or poor reasoning. If a tumor is in the temporal lobe, it may affect memory or language comprehension in Wernicke's area. The occipital lobe manages vision, so damage there can cause sight loss. The cerebellum controls balance and muscle movement. Tumors in the brainstem can cause seizures, breathing changes, or even partial paralysis.

Diagnosing a brain tumor is a complex process. Doctors use medical exams to rule out infections first. They then use imaging tools like computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). These scans are vital because they can show if the blood-brain barrier has been disrupted. The blood-brain barrier is a membrane that protects the brain from toxins. Many tracers used in medical imaging cannot reach the brain unless the tumor disrupts this barrier. Doctors often confirm their findings with a biopsy, which involves taking a small tissue sample.

While the cause of most tumors is unknown, some risk factors exist. Ionizing radiation is a known cause, and up to 4% of brain cancers may stem from CT scan radiation. Some people have inherited syndromes, such as neurofibromatosis or von Hippel-Lindau disease, that increase their risk. In children under age 15, brain tumors are the second most common cancer, following acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Treatment plans often combine surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. Doctors may also use dexamethasone or furosemide to reduce swelling around the tumor.