What is a brain tumor?
A brain tumor is a mass of abnormal cells growing in the brain. Brain tumors can be malignant, which means they are cancerous, or benign, which means they are non-cancerous. A brain tumor can also develop in other areas of the central nervous system (CNS), which makes up the brain and spinal cord.
Whether malignant or benign, a brain tumor can affect memory, thoughts and sensations, as well as your brain’s ability to coordinate bodily functions, such as movement and speech.
Types of brain tumors
Brain tumors, also called brain neoplasms, fall into two general categories: primary and metastatic. A primary brain tumor starts in the brain or surrounding central nervous system. A metastatic brain tumor forms in another part of the body, such as the lungs or the breast, and spreads to the brain through the bloodstream. Metastatic tumors are cancerous.
More than 150 different types of brain tumors exist. Some of the most common include:
Brain tumor symptoms
Symptoms of brain tumors vary greatly depending on several factors, including the tumor’s size, location in the brain and speed of growth. Small brain tumors may not cause noticeable symptoms. As they grow, signs and symptoms of brain tumors include:
- Abnormal eye movements
- Changes in behavior or personality
- Confusion or disorientation
- Difficulty walking
- Dizziness or balance issues
- Drooping on one side of the face
- Fatigue
- Headaches
- Loss of appetite
- Memory loss
- Nausea or vomiting
- Numbness, weakness or loss of movement in one area or on one side of the body
- Seizures
- Trouble speaking or finding words
- Trouble swallowing
When to see a doctor
Make an appointment with your doctor if you experience symptoms that concern you. Your provider can perform a physical exam and order additional tests to determine if your symptoms are related to a brain tumor or other health problems.
However, some brain tumor symptoms may be signs of an emergency.
Call 911 if you suddenly have any of the following symptoms:
- Dizziness or difficulty walking
- A first-time seizure
- A seizure that lasts longer than five minutes
- A terrible headache that you would describe as the worst headache of your life
- Trouble talking or understanding speech
- Vision problems in one or both eyes
- Weakness or numbness in the arm, leg or face
What causes brain tumors?
Brain tumors form when cells grow and multiply quickly and uncontrollably, forming an abnormal mass of cells. Experts do not fully understand what causes this to happen.
In general, changes in cell DNA lead to the development of cancer. In the case of brain tumors, these changes could happen in brain cells due to rare inherited conditions, but most occur because of gene changes during a person’s lifetime. Researchers have not determined what causes these gene changes.
Brain tumor risk factors
Researchers believe that most brain tumors develop randomly without a known outside cause. However, there are a few known risk factors:
- Having a weakened immune system
- Having an inherited syndrome that causes DNA changes in cells, such as:
- Neurofibromatosis 1 and 2
- Tuberous sclerosis
- Lynch syndrome
- Li-Fraumeni syndrome
- Von Hippel-Lindau disease
- Familial adenomatous polyposis
- Cowden syndrome
- Gorlin syndrome
- Exposure to radiation
How are brain tumors diagnosed?
If you have symptoms that could be signs of a brain tumor, your doctor will perform exams and tests to either rule out a brain tumor or determine a diagnosis. Often, brain tumors are diagnosed using a combination of physical and neurological exams, brain imaging and biopsies.
Brain tumor treatment
Your treatment will depend on the type of brain tumor you have. Your doctor will discuss your options and the benefits and risks of each to help determine the best course of treatment for you.
Often, your neuro-oncologist or neurosurgeon will combine different treatments to effectively treat a brain tumor.
Consultations and second opinions
Getting a second opinion can help make sure you have the right diagnosis and treatment options. If you've already been diagnosed with a brain tumor, you can receive a second opinion from our neuro-oncologists.
To request a second opinion, ask your healthcare provider to send a summary of your brain tumor diagnosis and pathology slides to our team.
Locations
We offer several locations for your care, including centers in North and Central Texas.
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