Brain Tumor - Types
Please describe the type of brain tumor you have.
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What are the tumor grades and types?
When most normal cells grow old or get damaged, they die, and new cells take their place. Sometimes, this process goes wrong. New cells form when the body doesn't need them, and old or damaged cells don't die as they should. The buildup of extra cells often forms a mass of tissue called a growth or tumor.
Primary brain tumors can be benign or malignant:
Benign brain tumors do not contain cancer cells:
- Usually, benign tumors can be removed, and they seldom grow back.
- Benign brain tumors usually have an obvious border or edge. Cells from benign tumors rarely invade tissues around them. They don't spread to other parts of the body. However, benign tumors can press on sensitive areas of the brain and cause serious health problems.
- Unlike benign tumors in most other parts of the body, benign brain tumors are sometimes life threatening.
- Benign brain tumors may become malignant.
Malignant brain tumors (also called brain cancer) contain cancer cells:
- Malignant brain tumors are generally more serious and often are a threat to life.
- They are likely to grow rapidly and crowd or invade the nearby healthy brain tissue.
- Cancer cells may break away from malignant brain tumors and spread to other parts of the brain or to the spinal cord. They rarely spread to other parts of the body.
See what others are saying
I am a Brit and have lived in New Zealand since 1999. I have a left petro-clival meningioma which was diagnosed and treated with 28 days radiation treatment in 2009. I also have a mid-line meningioma on the floor of the anterior cranial fossa. Both tumors are now on the annual MRI 'wait and watch' regime. I remain symptomatic for now headaches and nausea wake me in the middle of the night, and I have shooting pains in my left ear which are helped by amitriptyline. The left side of my face and scalp is very tender and I get a prickling sensation on the left side of my upper lip.
My 20 year old son was diagnosed with a pituitary tumor the size of a ping-pong ball nine months ago. The tumor is on his pituitary gland, pressing against his optic nerve. The doctors decided not to operate because of its location (close to the Aorta); they tried to shrink it with medication (Cabergoline, Bromocriptine and Abilify). Nothing worked due to wicked side effects. He has been referred to a radiation therapist, but we are afraid of the side effects since he is very young. We are going to a neurosurgeon (a 3rd. time) in order to discuss surgery. He has a lot of headaches, ringing in the ear, and feels very week. School is over for him. He was going to school of engineering.
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