Brain Tumors: Primary - Highlights

Highlights

Primary Brain Tumors

Primary brain tumors are tumors that start in the brain. There are many types and subtypes of primary brain tumors. They include gliomas, meningomas, medullablastomas, pituitary adenomas, and central nervous system lymphomas.

Causes

The exact causes of primary brain tumors are unknown. Genetic factors and inherited disorders play a role in some types of brain tumors.

Risk Factors

Risk factors for brain tumors vary according to the type of tumor. Some types of tumors are more prevalent in men than in women. Some types of brain tumors usually occur in children, while others are more common in older people.

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Prognosis

Survival rates in people with brain tumors depend on many different variables:

• Type of tumor
• Location and size of tumor (these factors affect whether or not the tumor can be removed surgically)
• Tumor grade
• Patient's age
• Patient's ability to function
• How far the tumor has spread

Symptoms

Brain tumors produce a variety of symptoms, including headache, seizure, and neurological changes. Symptoms may be subtle and gradually become worse or they may occur very rapidly.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of brain tumor involves a neurological exam and various types of imaging tests. Imaging techniques include magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), and positron emission tomography (PET) scan. Biopsies may be performed as part of surgery to remove a tumor, or as a separate diagnostic procedure.

Treatment

The standard approach for treating brain tumors is to reduce the tumor as much as possible using surgery, radiation treatment, or chemotherapy. Such treatments are typically used in combination with each other.

Review Date: 10/21/2010
Reviewed By: Harvey Simon, MD, Editor-in-Chief, Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Physician, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).