Malignant brain tumors contain cancer cells. They can grow very quickly, invade and destroy healthy tissues, and may spread to other areas of the brain. Slower growing brain tumors, or tumors that do not contain cancer cells may be referred to as “benign” or “non-malignant.” However, because the brain is inside the hard skull, there is no room for abnormal growths of cells.

Benign brain tumors are slow-growing tumors that can be removed or destroyed if in an accessible location. Malignant tumors (brain cancer) are rapidly growing tumors that invade or infiltrate and destroy normal brain tissue. No one is certain why, but some benign brain tumors may change over time to become malignant. Tumors are graded to indicate how quickly they are growing. Today, most medical institutions use the World Health Organization (WHO) classification system to identify brain tumors.

The most definitive and diagnosis of brain tumors are done by analyzing a fragment of the tumor under the microscope by the pathologist. The surgeon removes a piece of the tumor and sends it to the pathologist. Using special tissue staining methods, the pathologist can tell whether the tumor is classified under a benign or malignant category. However, this is only the first step in a patient's management.

A: Benign tumors are not cancer. They can usually be removed, and in most cases, they do not come back. Most important, the cells in benign tumors do not invade other tissues and do not spread to other parts of the body. Benign breast tumors are not a threat to life...Malignant tumors are cancer. The cancer cells grow and divide out of control. They can invade and damage nearby tissues and organs.

This word is derived from the Latin malignus which meant evil disposed, and is used as the opposite of benign. A malignant brain tumor is life-threatening. Malignant brain tumors possess certain chemicals which enable them to infiltrate into other tissues and spread into other parts of the body. Malignant tumors are almost impossible to remove totally by surgery, unless they are caught early in their course.

Benign probably is derived from the Latin word benigenus which means "a good kind" (bene= well, genus= born of, kind). In theory all benign tumors behave well and do not pose serious danger to the patient. Benign tumors are usually easily separated from normal tissues and therefore they can be removed surgically. However, tumors do not read books, so they are not aware of this sharp definition.

The symptoms depend on the size of the tumor and the location. Symptoms are caused by damage to vital tissue and by pressure from the tumor or swelling, which may happen if the tumor blocks the flow of cerebrospinal fluid.

The causes of brain tumors are not known. Brain tumors are not contagious. They can occur at any age, although they are most common in children 3-12 years old and adults 40-70 years old. Risk factors include working in industries such as oil refining, rubber manufacturing and drug manufacturing; other studies show chemists and embalmers have higher incidence of brain tumors. Researchers also are looking at exposure to viruses as a possible cause.

There are primary and secondary brain tumors. Tumors that begin in brain tissue are known as primary tumors. Secondary tumors are when cancer spreads from another site to the brain, which is called metastasis. Brain tumors are classified by the type of tissue in which they begin. The most common brain tumors are gliomas. Astrocytomas arise from small, star-shaped cells called astrocytes. They may grow anywhere in the brain or spinal cord. In adults, astrocytomas most often arise in the cerebrum.

The doctor develops a treatment plan to fit each patient, depending on the patient’s age and general health and the type, location and size of the tumor. Brain tumors are treated with surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy. Before treatment most patients are given steroids to reduce swelling. They may also be given anticonvulsant medications to prevent seizures. Surgery is the usual treatment for most brain tumors. To remove the tumor, the neurosurgeon makes an opening in the skull.

This is often the case - but, regrettably, not always. The most common benign node in the breast is not a tumour but a cyst (fluid content). Nodes consisting of tissue can be identified well on mammography. Some of them contain very small calcium deposits (microcalcification) - these are a typical sign of specific forms of cancer. The form and structure of the changes also allow the investigator to distinguish between benign and malignant tumours.

A tumor that starts growing in the brain is a primary brain tumor. These tumors may spread within the brain, but rarely travel to other sites in the body. Metastatic brain tumors are formed from cancer cells that originate in other parts of the body, and travel to the brain to form tumors. Cancers of the lung, breast, colon and melanoma often spread to the brain.

Brain tumors are diagnosed through a combination of physical exam and diagnostic tests. A neurological exam assesses both a patient's physical condition?balance, sensory abilities, and muscle movement, for example?and his or her mental status. Next, images of the brain are captured by scanning techniques such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT). In some cases, a physician may order a cerebral angiography, which is an X-ray of the brain's blood vessels.

Many GISTs are overtly malignant (metastatic or invading adjacent organs or structures), while others are of more uncertain malignant potential.

During surgery, a section of the tumor is quick-frozen and then examined by the neurosurgeon. This "frozen-section" method gives the doctor some idea of whether the tumor is cancerous or not, but it is not the definitive word. A detailed pathological report may take up to two days or longer if the sample is sent to another laboratory for further examination.

There are rare cases where brain tumors can occur in families and have a known genetic link. Most brain cancers, however, occur in patients with no known family history of brain cancer. We generally do not recommend screening family members for brain tumors.

Because brain cancers invade the normal brain, it is often very difficult to remove them completely. This is especially true with tumors of higher grade (grades III or IV). Usually, neurosurgeons attempt to remove as much of the tumor as is safely possible. When the tumor infiltrates into a critical brain area, it may not be possible to remove it completely.

That depends on the type and grade of tumor and the patient: Children and young adults generally tend to fare better than older patients, and women better than men. While the diagnosis of a brain tumor is serious, there is hope on several fronts. Of all primary tumors?those that originate in the brain?about half are benign and can be treated successfully.