Brain Tumor (cont.)
What are secondary brain tumors?
When cancer spreads from its original place to another part of the body, the
new tumor has the same kind of abnormal cells and the same name as the
primary tumor. Cancer that spreads to the brain from another part of the
body is different from a primary brain tumor. When cancer cells spread to
the brain from another organ (such as the lung or breast), doctors may call
the tumor in the brain a secondary tumor or metastatic tumor.
Secondary tumors in the brain are far more common than primary brain tumors.
What causes and who is at risk for brain tumors?
No one knows the exact causes of brain tumors. Doctors can seldom explain why
one person develops a brain tumor and another does not. However, it is clear
that brain tumors are not contagious. No one can "catch" the disease from
another person.
Research has shown that people with certain risk factors are more
likely than others to develop a brain tumor. A risk factor is anything that
increases a person's chance of developing a disease.
The following risk factors are associated with an increased chance of
developing a primary brain tumor:
- Being male - In general, brain tumors are more common in males than
females. However, meningiomas are more common in females.
- Race - Brain tumors occur more often among white people than among
people of other races.
- Age - Most brain tumors are detected in people who are 70 years old
or older. However, brain tumors are the second most common cancer in
children. (Leukemia is the most common childhood cancer.) Brain tumors are
more common in children younger than 8 years old than in older children.
- Family history - People with family members who have gliomas may be
more likely to develop this disease.
- Being exposed to radiation or certain chemicals at work:
- Radiation - Workers in the nuclear industry have an increased
risk of developing a brain tumor.
- Formaldehyde - Pathologists and embalmers who work with
formaldehyde have an increased risk of developing
brain cancer.
Scientists have not found an increased risk of brain cancer among other
types of workers exposed to formaldehyde.
- Vinyl chloride - Workers who make plastics may be exposed to
vinyl chloride. This chemical may increase the risk of brain tumors.
- Acrylonitrile - People who make textiles and plastics may be
exposed to acrylonitrile. This exposure may increase the risk of brain
cancer.
Scientists are investigating whether cell phones may cause brain tumors.
Studies thus far have not found an increased risk of brain tumors among people
who use cell phones.
Scientists also continue to study whether head injuries are a risk factor for
brain tumors. So far, these studies have not found an increased risk among
people who have had head injuries.
Most people who have known risk factors do not get brain cancer. On the other
hand, many who do get the disease have none of these risk factors. People who
think they may be at risk should discuss this concern with their doctor. The
doctor may be able to suggest ways to reduce the risk and can plan an
appropriate schedule for checkups.
Next: What are symptoms of brain tumors? »
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