Brain Tumor

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.

Tumor cells grow, even though the body does not need them, and unlike normal old cells, they don't die. As this process goes on, the tumor continues to grow as more and more cells are added to the mass.

The brain and spinal column make up the central nervous system (CNS), where all vital functions are controlled. These functions include thought, speech, and body movements. This means that when a tumor grows in the CNS, it can affect a person's thought processes or the way they talk or move.

Primary brain tumors are those tumors that start in the brain. A primary brain tumor is described as low grade or high grade. A low-grade tumor generally grows slowly, but it can turn into a high-grade tumor. A high-grade tumor is more likely to grow faster.

In adults, secondary brain tumors, also called brain metastases, are much more common than primary tumors.

Only about 5 to 10 percent of all cancers are genetically inherited, or hereditary. It’s rare for a brain tumor to be genetically inherited. Talk to your doctor if several people in your family have been diagnosed with a brain tumor. Your doctor can recommend a genetic counsellor for you.

People who have been exposed to ionizing radiation have an increased risk of brain tumors. You can be exposed to ionizing radiation through high-radiation cancer therapies. You can also be exposed to radiation from nuclear fallout. The nuclear power plant incidents in Fukushima and Chernobyl are examples of how people can be exposed to ionizing radiation.