[Disease]
A brain tumor is a collection, or mass, of abnormal cells in your brain. Your skull, which encloses your brain, is very rigid. Any growth inside such a restricted space can cause problems. Brain tumors can be cancerous (malignant) or noncancerous (benign).
A brain tumor is a collection, or mass, of abnormal cells in your brain. Your skull, which encloses your brain, is very rigid. Any growth inside such a restricted space can cause problems. Brain tumors can be cancerous (malignant) or noncancerous (benign).
When benign or malignant tumors grow, they can cause the pressure inside your skull to increase. This can cause brain damage, and it can be life-threatening.
Brain tumors are categorized as primary or secondary.
A primary brain tumor originates in your brain. Many primary brain tumors are benign.
Primary brain tumors originate in your brain. They can develop from your:
- Brain cells
- The membranes that surround your brain, which are called meninges
- Nerve cells
- Glands
Primary tumors can be benign or cancerous. In adults, the most common types of brain tumors are gliomas and meningiomas.
Secondary brain tumors make up the majority of brain cancers. They start in one part of the body and spread, or metastasize, to the brain. The following can metastasize to the brain:
- Lung cancer
- Breast cancer
- Kidney cancer
- Skin cancer
Secondary brain tumors are always malignant. Benign tumors don’t spread from one part of your body to another.
Brain Tumor: Symptoms and Signs-
- Headaches, which may be severe and worsen with activity or in the early morning.
- Seizures. People may experience different types of seizures. Certain drugs can help prevent or control them.
- Personality or memory changes.
- Nausea or vomiting.
- Fatigue.
- Drowsiness.
- Sleep problems.
- Memory problems.
- A new onset or change in pattern of headaches.
- Headaches that gradually become more frequent and severe
- Nausea and vomiting for no reason
- Changes in speech, vision, or hearing
- Problems balancing or walking
- Changes in mood, personality, or ability to concentrate
- Muscle jerking or twitching (seizures or convulsions)
- Numbness or tingling in the arms or legs
- Gradual loss of sensation or movement in an arm or a leg
- Confusion in everyday matters
- Personality or behavior changes
What are the risk factors of a brain tumor?
Most of the time, the cause of a brain tumor is unknown, but the following factors may raise a person's risk of developing a brain tumor:
- Age.
- Gender.
- Home and work exposures.
- Family history.
- Exposure to infections, viruses, and allergens.
- Electromagnetic fields.
- Race and ethnicity.
- Ionizing radiation.