Frequently Asked Questions
What is brain cancer?
How common is brain cancer?
What are the symptoms of brain cancer?
What are the risk factors for brain cancer?
How is brain cancer treated?
Are there clinical trials available for primary brain tumors?
What is a glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) and what are the risk factors?
How is glioblastoma multiforme treated?
What is the difference between an astrocytoma and a GBM?
What is brain cancer?
Brain cancer is an abnormal growth of cells in the brain. While benign tumors generally do not invade other tissues and usually have a distinguishable edge, malignant (cancerous) tumors contain fast-growing cells that can spread to surrounding healthy brain tissue. Benign tumors tend to cause symptoms by putting pressure on surrounding structures, while malignant tumors tend to invade and destroy adjacent structures. There are two types of brain cancer: primary, which originates in the brain, and metastatic, cancer that begins elsewhere in the body and spreads to the brain. Read our brain cancer fact sheet to learn more.
How common is brain cancer?
The likelihood of an individual being diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor is less than 1 percent. According to the American Cancer Society, in 2012, approximately 22,910 new cases of malignant tumors of the brain or spinal cord will be diagnosed in the United States. In Texas, approximately 1,582 new cases of brain or spinal cord cancer will be diagnosed in 2012.
What are the symptoms of brain cancer?
Brain cancer varies with each individual. People with these symptoms should consult their physician:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Headaches
- Changes in speech, vision or hearing
- Memory loss
- Gradual movement or sensation loss in an extremity
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- Seizures
- Problems walking or changes in balance
- Changes in behavior or personality
- Disorientation and confusion
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What are the risk factors for brain cancer?
Most brain tumors have no known causes and known risk factors are few.
- Radiation: Exposure to radiation therapy to the head increases the risk of developing a brain tumor.
- Immune System Disorders: People with compromised immune systems have a higher chance of developing lymphomas of the brain, including people with AIDS, Epstein-Barr virus, or who have had an organ transplant.
- Family History: A small percentage of brain tumors develop in people with a family history of brain tumors, or genetic syndromes.
How is brain cancer treated?
Treatment for brain cancer is determined by the type, size, and location of the tumor, and your overall health. Brain tumors are also characterized by grade. Because brain tumors can be difficult to treat, many patients require a team of physicians to monitor their care. The team may include a neurosurgeon, neurologist, radiation oncologist, medical oncologist, neuro-oncologist, and endocrinologist.
Surgery is the main treatment for brain tumors located within the membranes covering the brain or in an area where removal would not damage neurological function. Surgery may not be an option for tumors that have spread into brain tissue or are near sensitive areas. Even if the entire tumor cannot be removed, surgery can relieve some symptoms caused by the tumor.
Several other treatments may be used such as radiation therapy, radiosurgery, chemotherapy or targeted drug therapy. A combination of treatments may be used to provide the best chance of disease control. Learn more about treatments in our brain cancer overview.
Are there clinical trials available for primary brain tumors?
We offer patients access to innovative clinical trials, which are research studies that examine how patients respond to different medical approaches for various types of cancers. Studies address scientific challenges and identify better ways to treat, diagnose and prevent cancer-related diseases. Contact your physician for more details about clinical trials.
What is a glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) and what are the risk factors?
A glioblastoma multiforme or GBM is the most common and most malignant form of brain cancer. Few clear risk factors have been identified. However, there are some genetic syndromes that can increase the risk of gliomas, including neurofibromatosis, Li-Fraumeni syndrome and Turcot syndrome. Exposure to ionizing radiation directed to the head is a known risk factor. There appears to be no link between smoking or other known carcinogens for the development of GBM. While DNA from several viruses has been found in the DNA of GBM cells, more research is needed to determine its significance. Learn more about gliomas in our brain cancer overview.
Treatment of brain cancer depends on location, size, and stage of the tumor as well as the patient’s overall health. Treatment can include a combination of surgery to remove the tumor as safely and completely possible, external beam radiation combined with chemotherapy, followed by chemotherapy. Sometimes steroids are used to decrease brain swelling. Learn more about treatments in our brain cancer overview.
What is the difference between an astrocytoma from a GBM?
A glioblastoma is the most aggressive type of astrocytoma. Astrocytic brain tumors are classified by grades 1-4. Grade 1 and grade 2 astrocytomas are considered benign. Grade 3 astrocytomas (anaplastic astrocytomas) and grade 4 astrocytomas or GBMs are considered malignant tumors. Historically, astrocytomas are also categorized graded based on their appearance under the microscope. The grade of the tumor is important because it gives insight in to its behavior and prognosis, and informs treatment planning. More recently, we are using molecular and genetic information from the tumor tissue to determine tumor types and prognosis.