Brain Tumour

The Condition
Cells within the brain normally grow in an orderly and controlled way, but if for some reason this order is disrupted, the cells continue to divide and form a lump or tumour. A tumour may be either benign or malignant (cancerous).
Brain tumours can be primary or secondary

Primary brain tumours start in the brain. It is extremely rare for them to spread elsewhere in the body. Primary brain tumours may be benign or malignant
Secondary brain tumours are tumours that have occurred because cancer cells have spread into the brain from cancer in another part of the body. They are always malignant

How common is a Brain Tumour?
Primary brain tumours are rare. About 4,300 people in the UK are diagnosed with a primary brain tumour each year. Secondary brain tumours are more common as some types of cancer are more likely to spread to the brain.

Brain tumours can occur at any age, but are more common in children under 12 and adults over 40. Brain tumours can develop at any age

Types of Primary Brain Tumours
There are many types of primary brain tumours. They are generally named after the type of brain cells that they contain

The most common type is gliomas which is a tumour that grows from glial cells. Over half of all primary brain tumours in adults are gliomas

Primary brain tumours are graded according to how quickly they grow. Low grade tumours are the slowest growing. High grade tumours grow rapidly

There are many different types of brain tumours. A hospital Consultant, GP or Health Care Team are the best people to provide information about individual cases and treatment options

Risk Factors/causes of Brain Tumours
The cause of most primary brain tumours is unknown. Brain tumours, like other cancers, are not infectious and cannot be passed on to other people. They are slightly more common in men than in women

As with many cancers, people are more likely to develop them as they get older. Some types of brain tumours are more common in younger adults

Genetic conditions
Brain tumours are not caused by an inherited faulty gene that can be passed on to other family members

A small number of brain tumours occur in people who have certain genetic conditions. A patient's health care team should be contacted for advice

Previous radiotherapy treatment
People who have been exposed to radiation to their head, such as children who had radiotherapy for leukemia, are at a slightly higher risk of developing a brain tumour than other people

Other unproven causes
Other factors such as mobile phones, certain viruses or power lines have all been suggested as possible of brain tumours. So far, there is no evidence that confirms these cause brain tumours.

Brain Tumour UK
Tower House Latimer Park Chesham Bucks HP5 1TU
Tel: 0845 4500 386
Email:enquiries@braintumouruk.org.uk
Web: www.braintumouruk.org.uk

Brain and Spine Foundation
Queen Victoria Road, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 4LP
Tel : 0191 233 6161
Email : helpline@brainandspine.org.ukWeb : www.brainandspine.org.uk

Spinal Injuries Association
SIA House
2 Trueman Place
Oldbrook
Milton Keynes
MK6 2HH
Tel: 01908 604 191
Email:sia@spinal.co.uk
Web: www.spinal.co.uk