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What is a brain tumor? |
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How is a brain tumor recognized? |
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How is a definitive diagnosis of a brain tumor made? |
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What
is a benign brain tumor? |
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What
is a malignant brain tumor? |
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Who
decides what is benign and what is malignant? |
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How
many types of brain tumors are there? |
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What
are the most common brain tumors? |
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Why
are brain tumors called glioma or astrocytoma? |
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What
are the differences among gliomas? |
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What
determines whether astrocytomas or gliomas can be
treated with surgery? |
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What
factors affect prognosis or chances for survival
for patients with gliomas? |
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What
are metastatic tumors? |
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What
is a brain tumor? |
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A brain tumor is a tumor that grows in the brain. Brain tumors, like other tumors, result from uncontrolled cell growth. The most common adult brain tumors are either metastatic tumors (tumors spreading from other parts of the body like the breast or lung) or primary brain tumors. Primary brain tumors can be benign (non-cancerous) and malignant (cancerous). |
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How is a brain tumor recognized? |
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As brain tumors grow, they compress normal tissue which causes the development of new neurologic symptoms. Some of the symptoms include change of mental status, headaches, nausea/vomiting, seizures, visual loss, or weakness or upper or lower extremities. Today, more and more tumors are being recognized incidentally, before they create complaints, with the help of advanced radiological studies. Both CT scans and MRI scans have revolutionized the ability to visualize and diagnose brain tumors. |
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How is a definitive diagnosis of a brain tumor made? |
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A definitive diagnosis of a brain tumor requires a surgical procedure. By removing a part or all of the tumor, the surgeon can send the tissue to a pathologist. A pathologist, by looking at the behavior of the cells under the microscope, then makes the final diagnosis as to whether the tumor is benign or malignant. |
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What is a benign brain tumor? |
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A benign brain tumor is usually a favorable brain tumor. The word benign is derived from the Latin word benigenus, which means "a good kind" (bene= well, genus= born of, kind). In theory, all benign tumors behave well. However, due to the unique structure and function of the brain, even a benign tumor can be dangerous and cause death. Just as in life, there is a spectrum of tumors, from benign to malignant. |
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What is a malignant brain tumor? |
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A malignant brain tumor is life-threatening. Malignant brain tumors are very aggressive and often do not respond well to surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy |
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Who decides what is benign and what is malignant? |
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The pathologist, by examining the tissue provided by the surgeon, determines whether or not the tumor is benign or malignant. This is usually done by looking at the behavior of the individual cells under the microscope and determining whether or not they exhibit aggressive behavior or not. In many ways, this is the most important point for treatment of patients with brain tumors because correct treatment depends on correct diagnosis. |
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How many types of brain tumors are there? |
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In addition to metastatic tumors (tumors originating in other parts of the body and traveling to the brain), there are approximately one hundred different kinds of primary brain tumors. Some of them are benign, others are malignant, all require specialized neuro-oncologic care. |
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What are the most common brain tumors? |
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The most common adult tumors are:
1. Metastatic brain tumors from lung, breast, melanoma, and other cancers
2. Glioblastoma multiforme and anaplastic astrocytoma.
3. Meningioma |
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The most common pediatrics tumors are:
1. Astrocytomas
2. Primitive neuroectodermal tumors (PNETs)
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Why are brain tumors called glioma or astrocytoma? |
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The brain contains two major cell types: neurons and glia. While the neurons control the function of the brain, glia are the supporting cells that keep the framework of the brain together and nourish the neurons. One of these supporting cell, the astrocyte, gives rise to tumors called astrocytomas, or gliomas. |
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What are the differences among gliomas? |
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Gliomas represent a spectrum of tumors, ranging from benign tumors to malignant and highly aggressive tumors. The differentiation of gliomas belongs to pathologists who look at the tumor under the microscope and determine the behavior of the individual cells. |
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What determines whether astrocytomas or gliomas can be treated with surgery? |
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Gliomas that are located in a superficial area of the brain are easier to remove than tumors which are deep in the brain. Similarly, gliomas which are located in the critical areas of the brain, such as speech and language areas, are more difficult to remove surgically than tumors in other locations. Finally, many gliomas tend to be infiltrative in nature and can interweave within normal brain tissue. |
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What factors affect prognosis or chances for survival for patients with gliomas? |
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Several key factors affect the prognosis: tumor location, size, and histologic grade. In general, small tumors located in a superficial location which are low grade have a more favorable prognosis than large, deep seated, high grade tumors in more functional areas of the brain. |
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What are metastatic tumors? |
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Metastatic brain tumors are malignant tumors that have spread from one area of the body to the brain. The most common types of cancers to metastasize to the brain come from the lungs, breasts and colon. Metastatic tumors can be single or multiple. |
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