|
Welcome to the Brain Tumor Awareness Organization |
Web This Site
|
Facts About Brain Tumors
Brain Tumor Q&A
What is a brain tumor? A brain tumor is an abnormal mass of tissue in which cells multiply uncontrollably. Why are brain tumors complex and unique? Brain tumors are located in the control center for thought, emotion, and movement and can lead to the impairment of an individual's intellectual and physical abilities. Brain tumors pose significant research and treatment challenges because of their diversity, location, tendency to recur and the difficulty of delivering effective therapies across the blood-brain barrier. What is the difference between a benign and a malignant tumor? The terms benign and malignant are used to describe the characteristics of a brain tumor. With other tumors, the word "benign" generally means a tumor composed of benign cells; they appear to be normal, are slow growing, and have distinct borders. The word "malignant" refers to tumors composed of cancer cells; they usually grow more quickly than benign tumors and typically invade and spread beyond their original location. With brain tumors, these terms can take on additional meanings. A brain tumor composed of benign cells but located in a vital area, or a benign tumor that does not respond to treatment, can also be called malignant. In addition, a benign brain tumor can, on occasion, undergo malignant transformation. What is the difference between primary and metastatic brain tumors? A primary brain tumor originates in the brain, whereas metastatic brain tumors are malignant tumors that are formed from cancer cells that travel to the brain from another part of the body. Cancers that frequently metastasize to the brain are lung cancer, breast cancer, colon cancer, kidney cancer, and melanoma. What causes a brain tumor? Much research is underway to understand the causes of brain tumors. Among the several areas of research is the role of environmental factors in the development of brain tumors. Who is at risk for developing a brain tumor?
Brain tumors do not discriminate. Each year, more than 190,000 people in the U.S. and 10,000 people in Canada are diagnosed with a primary or metastatic brain tumor. Brain tumors are the leading cause of solid tumor cancer death in children under the age of 20 now surpassing acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), and are the third leading cause of cancer death in young adults ages 20-39. The greatest increase in brain tumors has been among people 75 years of age or older.
What are the symptoms and warning signs of a brain tumor? The symptoms often associated with brain tumors include headache, nausea, and vomiting; new onset of seizures; loss of movement, coordination, or sensation; imbalance; visual disturbance; hearing loss in adults; speech difficulty; changes in behavior or personality; and difficulty with memory. In children, symptoms may include morning nausea and vomiting; growth and development irregularities; and the apparent onset of emotional problems. How is a brain tumor diagnosed? A number of techniques are used to diagnose a brain tumor. A neurological examination is a crucial first step. Tests to pinpoint a brain tumor include an eye exam; hearing assessment; and an exam for sensation, body movement, balance, reflexes, and coordination. Computerized tomography (CT) scan, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and surgery, including a biopsy, are often utilized in diagnosing a brain tumor. Is there a cure for brain tumors? Currently, there is no cure for most malignant brain tumors. Treatments exist that may cause remission in some tumors, and some individuals may live for years after diagnosis and treatment. What does it mean for a brain tumor to be in remission? Remission occurs when the tumor has regressed or stopped growing. Even for people with brain tumors whose disease has gone into remission, the tumor may still recur. What treatments are effective in the fight against brain tumors? Surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy are the three most common treatments - used individually or in combination - for brain tumors.
Are there any upcoming treatments that show promise for brain tumor patients? There are a number of new approaches to the treatment of brain tumors. Several target the biological processes that cause a normal cell to multiply abnormally. Basic and clinical research is being conducted on a wide range of promising therapies including angiogenesis inhibitors, differentiating agents, gene therapy, immunotherapy, and invasion inhibitors. CANADA
In the previous pages we have given you ideas about what you can do to raise awareness of brain tumors. Canadians have been members of the North American Brain Tumor Coalition since its inception. Many of the suggestions in this Guide can be used in Canada but there are some differences across the border and we wanted to highlight these here. The Canadian Alliance of Brain Tumour Organizations (CABTO) went to Parliament Hill in Ottawa to meet with their legislators in April of 2005. The position papers that they presented included: coverage for oral chemotherapy, better collection of brain tumor data and the need for increased funding for brain tumor research. Interested persons should contact Susan Marshall at exec.director@btfc.org. To find the name of your Member of Parliament go to the following website: www.canada.gc.ca. Your help is needed to influence policy and legislation affecting the brain tumor community. Canadians celebrate Brain Tumour Action Month (BTAM) each year in October. CABTO, support groups, cancer centres and hospitals talk about brain tumours and host events to raise awareness across Canada. “Imagine a Cure” An awareness month wristband is distributed by members of CABTO and expresses their message of hope…Imagine a Cure! Please help us spread the word and wear a wristband during October. Visit www.braintumour.ca to learn more. Put up a display at your local mall, library, church or health care facility to spread the word during October. For more information contact info@btfc.org, or, in Canada, call 1-800-265-5106. Like the United States, Canada also has a hat display called the Hat Tribute. This becomes a traveling display during the month of October to increase awareness across the country.
Canadian Alliance of Brain Tumour Organizations (CABTO) Member List www.cabto.ca · Acoustic Neuroma Association of Canada · Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada · Canadian Association of Neuroscience Nurses · Canadian Von Hippel-Landau (VHL) Family Alliance · Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation Canada · Crolla Family Brain Tumour Research Centre · Gerry and Nancy Pencer Brain Trust · Montreal Neurological Hospital, Centre for Treatment and Study of Brain Tumours |
|
Brain Tumor Facts |
|
View to learn more about brain tumors. Featured in Duke’s Learning Center.
The Virtual Body By Trident Health Systems
Take a Virtual Tour of the Brain at the and learn great facts about how to nourish your brain. |
|
Each year more than 200,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with a primary or metastatic brain tumor. Primary brain tumors comprise approximately 40,000 of these diagnoses.(1) Brain tumors are the leading cause of solid tumor cancer death in children under the age of 20, now surpassing acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). They are the second leading cause of cancer death in male adults ages 20-29 and the fifth leading cause of cancer death in female adults ages 20-39.(2,5) Metastatic brain tumors, cancer that spreads from other parts of the body to the brain, are the most common types of brain tumors. They occur in 10-15% of people with cancer. Primary brain tumors generally do not metastasize to other parts of the body.(3) There are over 120 different types of brain tumors, which make effective treatment complicated. They can be malignant or non-malignant (benign), and in either case, can be just as injurious or life threatening. At present, the standard treatments for brain tumors include surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. These may be used either individually or in combination. Brain tumors in children are different from those in adults, and consequently, are treated differently. As many as 69% of children will survive, but they are often left with long-term side effects.(5) There are currently no known causes of brain tumors, however, epidemiological studies are ongoing. Complete and accurate data on all primary brain tumors is needed to provide the foundation for investigations of its causes and research leading to improved diagnosis and treatment. Brain tumors have no socio-economic boundaries and do not discriminate among gender or ethnicity. At this time, brain tumor research is underfunded and the public remains unaware of the magnitude of this disease. The cure rate for most brain tumors is significantly lower than that for many other types of cancer.
Source– The Brain Tumor Society “Facts About Brain Tumors” |