Brain cancers and abnormalities
Overview
A brain tumour is a mass or growth of abnormal cells in the brain.
There are different types of brain tumours:
- Non-cancerous (benign)
- Cancerous (malignant)
Brain tumours can begin in the brain (primary brain tumour) or the cancer can start in another part of the body and spread to the brain (secondary or metastatic tumour).
In adults, primary brain tumours are less common than secondary (metastatic) brain tumours that have spread from other parts of the body.
Primary brain tumours
01.
Gliomas
Gliomas can affect the brain or spinal cord. They begin in the glial cells that are supportive cells which surround nerve cells. Three types of glial cells can produce tumours – astrocytomas, ependymomas or oligodendrogliomas.
02.
Meningiomas
Meningiomas arise from the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. Most are noncancerous.
03.
Medulloblastomas
Medulloblastomas are the most common cancerous brain tumours in children. The tumour starts in the lower back part of the brain (cerebellum) and spreads through the spinal fluid to other parts of the brain. These tumours are less common in adults.
04.
Germ cell tumours
Germ cells are special types of cells in a foetus. In rare cases they develop into cancer. They usually appear between 10 and 19 years of age. In most cases, the germ cell tumour is found in the testicles of boys or the ovaries of girls. When it develops in the brain it is called a Central Nervous System Germ Cell Tumour.
05.
Craniopharyngiomas
Craniopharyngiomas are rare non-cancerous tumours. They start near the pituitary gland, which secretes hormones that control many body functions. These tumours can occur at any age but are most often seen in children and older adults.
06.
Pituitary adenomas
A pituitary adenoma is a non-cancerous growth or tumour on the pituitary gland.
Secondary (metastatic) brain tumours
Secondary (metastatic) brain tumours result from cancer that starts elsewhere in the body and then spreads (metastasizes) to the brain.
Most often, they occur in people with a history of cancer.
Although rare, a metastatic brain tumour might be the first sign of cancer that began in another part of the body.
- Breast cancer
- Colon cancer
- Kidney cancer
- Lung cancer
- Melanoma
Why is treatment important?
Untreated tumours place pressure on other structures in the brain. This can be harmful as the tumour:
- Forces the brain against the skull
- Damages the brain which in turn
- Hampers its ability to function correctly.
