Brain Cancer

What is brain cancer?

Brain cancer is an abnormal growth in or around your brain. The growth, called a tumor, is malignant, which means that it contains cancer cells. Other types of brain tumors may be benign, which means that they do not contain cancer cells.

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 brain cancer, or metastatic brain cancer. This type of cancer is much more common than primary brain cancer. Metastatic brain cancer most often spreads from the lung, breast, kidney, or skin.

Cancerous brain tumors are always serious because, as they grow, they press on or destroy healthy brain tissue.

How does it occur?

The cause of primary brain cancer is not known.

What are the symptoms?

Tumors increase pressure within the skull causing:

• headache (most often during the night)
• nausea and vomiting
• vision problems such as seeing double
• trouble thinking and speaking clearly
• drowsiness.

Depending on where the tumor is in the brain, it also may cause:

• weakness on one side of the body
• dizziness or loss of balance
• mood swings
• seizures.

How is it diagnosed?

Your healthcare provider will examine you and ask about your symptoms. You may have a neurological exam, which involves checking eye movements, reflexes, hearing, balance, coordination, touch, taste, smell, facial muscle movement, tongue movement, head movement, and mental status.

You may need special tests to show the size, shape, and location of the tumor within your brain. Tests may include:

• X-rays
• CT scan (computed tomography)
• PET (positron emission tomography) scan
• MRI (magnetic resonance imaging).

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. Then a surgeon will remove a small sample of tumor tissue from your brain. The tissue will be examined under a microscope.

How is it treated?

Treatment depends on your diagnosis. It may include:

• surgery
• radiation therapy
• chemotherapy, including drugs, hormone therapy, and biological therapy
• other types of treatment.

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.

How can I take care of myself?

• Tell your healthcare provider about headaches, vision problems, or any other symptoms that have started recently or are getting worse.
• Discuss your cancer treatment options with your provider so you understand them.
• Tell your provider if your treatment causes problems. Helpful solutions or alternative treatments may be available.
• If possible, join a support group for cancer patients to help you during your illness.
• Maintain a hopeful and positive outlook throughout your treatment and recovery.

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.