Brain cancer is an abnormal growth in or around your brain. A cancerous growth is malignant, which means that it contains cancer cells. Other types of brain growths are benign, which means that they do not have cancer cells. The word tumor is often used when referring to cancer, but the word tumor just means growth. Tumors can be cancerous, but they can also be benign. When the term tumor is used, be sure to ask if is referring to cancer or a noncancerous growth.
Cancers that start in the brain are called primary brain cancers. Cancer that spreads to the brain from another part of the body is called secondary or metastatic brain cancer. Secondary brain cancer most often spreads from the lung, breast, kidney, or skin. It is much more common than primary brain cancer.
Cancerous brain tumors are always serious because, as they grow, they press on or destroy healthy brain tissue. However, noncancerous brain growths can also cause serious problems with the nervous system. This is not because they contain cancer cells, but because they are pushing on the brain and keeping it from working properly. This is why noncancerous brain growths, as well as cancerous tumors, often need to be removed.
The cause of primary brain cancer is not known.
Tumors increase pressure in the skull, causing:
Depending on where the tumor is in the brain, it also may cause:
Your healthcare provider will ask about your symptoms and examine you. You may have a neurological exam. This exam checks things like eye movements, reflexes, balance, taste, and smell. It also checks how well you are thinking and remembering.
You may need special tests to show the size, shape, and specific location of the tumor. Tests may include:
A biopsy may be done to confirm that a tumor is cancer and to find out what type of cells are involved. When you have a biopsy, you will first be given an anesthetic so that you will not feel any pain. Depending on where the tumor is and how big it is, the surgeon may have to drill a small hole in your skull. Through this hole the surgeon will then remove a small part of the tumor for testing. Sometimes the surgeon will need to create a bone flap. The piece of bone stays attached to the scalp. After the surgeon is able to see the tumor and remove a small piece for testing, then the flap can be returned to its normal position and the scalp will often hide the place where you had the biopsy.
If your tumor is near the pituitary gland, which is at the bottom of the brain, just above the back of the nose, the surgeon will do the biopsy with an endoscope. The endoscope is a slim, flexible, lighted tube with a camera. After anesthesia to prevent pain, the surgeon will put the endoscope into the nose and enter the skull through the back of the nose. A small piece of tumor may be taken or in some cases the whole tumor will be removed at that time, whether it is cancerous or not.
Tissue that was removed will be sent to the lab for testing to see if the tumor is benign or malignant. If it’s malignant, then it will be determined whether it is primary brain cancer or cancer that has spread from another place, such as from lung cancer.
If you have a brain biopsy, you usually will need to stay at the hospital at least overnight. You may need to stay in the hospital a few days to make sure there are no complications, such as infection or swelling.
Treatment depends on your diagnosis. It may include:
Surgery is the most common treatment of primary adult brain tumors. To take out the cancer from the brain, a surgeon will cut a part of the bone from the skull to get to the brain. This procedure is called a craniotomy. After the surgeon removes the cancer, the bone will be put back or a piece of metal or a special fabric will be used to cover the opening in the skull.
External-beam radiation therapy uses X-rays to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors with a machine. Another type of radiation therapy is called internal radiation therapy: Thin plastic tubes containing radioactive material are put into the tumor to kill cancer cells from the inside.
Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill cancer cells. Chemotherapy may be taken by pill, or it may be put into the body through a needle in the vein or muscle. Hormone therapy uses hormones to stop the cancer cells from growing. Biological therapy uses drugs to help your body's immune system fight disease.
Other treatments may include the use of electrodes, ultrasound, or electromagnetic radiation to heat and destroy abnormal tissue.
For more information, contact your local chapter of the American Cancer Society or call 800-ACS-2345, or the National Cancer Institute at 800-4-CANCER. You may also visit their Web sites at http://www.cancer.org or http://www.cancer.gov.
