Adult Brain Tumors
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Benign Brain Tumors
Medical Author: Charles Davis, MD, PhD
Medical Editor: Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD
 Benign brain tumors are usually defined as a group of similar cells that do
not follow normal cell division and growth patterns and develop into a mass of
cells that microscopically do not have the characteristic appearance of a
cancer. Most benign brain tumors are found by CT or MRI brain scans. These
tumors usually grow slowly, do not invade surrounding tissues or spread to other
organs, and often have a border or edge that can be seen on CT scans. These
tumors rarely develop into metastatic (cancerous or spreading) tumors. Most
benign brain tumors can be removed; the benign tumors usually do not reoccur
after removal. The exact causes of benign brain tumors are not known, but
investigators have suggested that family history, radiation exposure, or
exposure to chemicals (for example, vinyl chloride, formaldehyde) may be risk
factors.
Benign brain tumors, however, can be life threatening because they can
compress brain tissue and other structures inside the skull, so the term
"benign" can be misleading. Terminology is further complicated by some
investigators who classify low-grade cancerous tumors as either "benign" or
"relatively benign." Regardless, compression of brain tissue or its additional
structures (for example, nerves, ventricles) by a tumor mass is a major cause of
the symptoms seen with benign (and malignant) tumors.
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What are adult brain tumors?
Adult brain tumors are diseases in which cancer (malignant) cells begin to
grow in the tissues of the brain. The brain controls memory and learning, senses
(hearing, sight, smell, taste, and touch), and emotion. It also controls other
parts of the body, including muscles, organs, and blood vessels. Tumors that
start in the brain are called primary brain tumors.
What are metastatic brain tumors?
Often, tumors found in the brain have
started somewhere else in the body and spread (metastasized) to the brain. These
are called metastatic brain tumors.
What are the symptoms of an adult brain tumor?
A doctor should be seen if the
following symptoms appear:
- Frequent headaches.
- Vomiting.
- Loss of appetite.
- Changes in mood and personality.
- Changes in ability to think and learn.
- Seizures.
What tests are used to find and diagnose adult brain tumors?
Tests that examine the brain and
spinal cord are used to detect (find) adult brain tumor. The following tests and
procedures may be used:
- CT scan (CAT scan): A
procedure that makes a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body,
taken from different angles. The pictures are made by a computer linked to an
x-ray machine. A dye may be injected into a vein or swallowed to help the
organs or tissues show up more clearly. This procedure is also called computed
tomography, computerized tomography, or computerized axial tomography.
- MRI (magnetic resonance imaging): A procedure that uses a magnet,
radio waves, and a computer to make a series of detailed pictures of the brain
and spinal cord. A substance called gadolinium is injected into the patient
through a vein. The gadolinium collects around the cancer cells so they show up
brighter in the picture. This procedure is also called nuclear magnetic
resonance imaging (NMRI).
Adult brain tumor is diagnosed and removed in surgery.
If a brain tumor is suspected, a biopsy is done by removing part of the skull
and using a needle to remove a sample of the brain tissue. A pathologist views
the tissue under a microscope to look for cancer cells. If cancer cells are
found, the doctor will remove as much tumor as safely possible during the same
surgery. An MRI may then be done to determine if any cancer cells remain after
surgery. Tests are also done to find out the grade of the tumor.
Next: What is the grade of a tumor? »
- CT Scan (Computerized Axial Tomography) - CT Scan (Computerized Axial Tomography, CAT scan) is a procedure that assists in diagnosing tumors, fractures, bony structures, and infections in the organs and tissues of the body.
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