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Brain Tumors Brain Headache, usually worse in the morning Dizziness Weakness or numbness Nausea and vomiting Trouble thinking, remembering or talking Changes in speech, vision, hearing or personality Paralysis, numbness or weakness in one part or on one side of the body Seizures or convulsions Drowsiness Problems with balance or walking Radiation exposure Inherited syndromes Family history Weakened immune system Prior history of cancer Contact with certain chemicals, such as vinyl chloride, pesticides, and petroleum products Cell phone use Living near power lines Infection with certain viruses

Overview

Brain Tumor Overview

Brain tumors are a collection of abnormal cells in your brain. The tumor may be primary (starting in your brain). Or, the tumor may be metastatic (cancer that started in another place in your body and spread to your brain).

All brain tumors are either:

Benign: slow-growing and not cancerous
Malignant: faster-growing and cancerous

Brain tumors can cause serious damage, even if they are benign. The degree of damage depends upon the type, size and location of the tumor.

Primary Brain Tumors

A primary brain tumor is a type of tumor that starts in the brain. There are many types of primary brain tumors.

Metastatic (Secondary) Brain Tumors

A metastatic brain tumor refers to a cancer that starts in another part of the body and then spreads to the brain. This is the most common type of brain cancer. Lung, breast, kidney, skin and colon cancers spread to the brain most often.