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Conditions

Brain tumours

A brain tumour is a mass or growth of abnormal cells in the brain, and can be benign (harmless) or malignant (causing cancer). Brain tumours are either primary — a cancer that begins in the brain; or metastatic — a cancer that has formed somewhere else in the body and has spread to the brain.

  • Brain tumours kill more children than any other disease.
  • The most common and aggressive type of brain tumour, glioblastoma multiforme, or GBM, grows very quickly. Sadly, most patients survive less than a year after diagnosis.
  • Brain tumours are more prevalent amongst men and boys than women and girls.

There are approximately 130 different types of brain tumour, categorised by the type of cell the tumour originated from, and its degree of malignancy.

Signs and symptoms

The brain is complex, and brain tumours can result in a variety of different symptoms, depending on which part of the brain is affected. If you suspect you or someone you love might be suffering from a brain tumour, consult your doctor immediately. Some common symptoms include:

  • seizures or fits
  • new onset of headaches that begin in the morning and worsen with activity
  • loss of feeling or movement in one or more limbs
  • changes in speech
  • blurred or double vision
  • instability
  • weakness in one side of the body
  • confusion and dizziness.

Causes and treatment

It is not known what causes brain tumours, and for the vast majority of patients, no external cause can be identified.

For some types of brain tumour, a genetic mutation in the genes that control cell growth may have occurred. This genetic mutation is non-hereditary, meaning it cannot be passed to children.

Treatment depends on what part of the brain is affected by the brain tumour and the type of tumour. The treatment may include surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

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