Brain Cancer

Brain Tumor Information

The word, 'Brain Tumor,' describe a number of different forms of tumors which span the range of behaviors of tumors as well; both benign and malignant. There are different ways to classify Brain Tumors too. Perhaps the most common way to classify Brain Tumors is by the cells in which they originate.

Their, 'histology,' or cell type, determines the behavior of the tumor. It also has a great deal of bearing on the prognosis a patient will find themselves facing. There is no one, single classification by cell type that is universally agreed upon by doctors. One other approach to classification is by the location of the tumor. The location of the tumor determines the kinds of symptoms and any neurological deficits a person may experience, and the safety of its respectability. Both means of classifying a tumor are important.

Different Tumor Types

Acoustic Neurinoma: An Acoustic Neurinoma is a tummor affecting the eight cranial nerve, located between the pons and the cerebellum. It is possible that this tumor is associated with Neurobibromatosis. This particular form of tumor is a primary intracranial tumor of the myelin forming cells. These cells are called,'Schwann cells,' or, 'Schwannoma.' Therefore, the use of the term,'Acoustice Neuroma,' is actually a misnomer.

Astrocytoma: An Astrocytoma is a tumor that starts in the astrocyte cells which form part of the human brain's supportive tissues, or,'neuroglial.'

Ependymoma: An Ependymoma is a tumor that begins in teh ependymal cells that are found in and along the ventricles and central canal in the spinal cord.

Glioblastoma Multiforme: A Glioblastoma Multiforme is a Grade IV Astrocytoma that has the ability to spread throughout the brain. These tumors are marked by the presence of dead tumor cells, or,'necrosis.' About twenty-five percent of every primary brain tumor is a Glioblastoma Multiforme tumor.

Meningioma: A Meningioma is a form of bening tumor that starts in the meninges, or the membranes which cover the spinal cord and brain. About twenty-percent of all primary brain tumors are Meningiomas. These tumors usually appear in middle-aged women.

Metastatic Tumor: A Metastatic Tumor is created by cancer cells that metastisize in the brain form somewhere else in the body. This form of tumor can show up anywhere else in the spinal column or in the brain.

Mixed Glioma: A Mixed Glioma containing neuronal elements, astrocytic elements, and oligodendroglial cells. Neuropathologists are often confused by Mixed Gliomas, who may diagnose them as oligodendrogliomas, astrocytomas, or may even diagnose them as ganglioglioneurocytomas.

Oligodendroglioma: Oligodendrogliomas are tumors that start from oligodendrocytes, which are a kind of brain tissue. These tumors many times contain both astrocytes and oligodendrocytes, and are considered to be Mixed Gliomas. They are more common that Oligodendrogliomas, and usually occur most frequently in younger or middle-aged adults.

Pineal Region Tumor: A Pineal Region Tumor is a form of tumor that starts in the pineal gland. There are several types of tumors that can begin in the pineal gland. These tumors include Mixed tumors, pineoblastomas, Teratomas, Pineocytomas,Geminomas, and Astrocytomas. Less than one percent of primary brain tumors are Pineal tumors. Three to eight percent of childhood brain tumors are Pineal brain tumors.

Further Information Regarding Brain Cancer

Chemical Compound may Stop Brain Tumors
Researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine have identified a compound that could be modified to treat one of the most deadly types of cancer, and discovered how a particular gene mutation contributes to tumor growth.

Avastin Effective at Delaying Brain Tumor Progression
The use of Avastin alone to treat a subgroup of recurrent Grade 3 brain tumors showed it was safe and effective at delaying tumor progression, according to a retrospective study of 22 patients conducted by a researcher at the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance.

Glioblastoma Multiforme - Adult Brain Tumor
Glioblastoma Multiforme is a fast-growing type of central nervous system tumor that forms from glial (supportive) tissue of the brain and spinal cord and has cells that look very different from normal cells.

Ependymoblastoma - Child Brain Tumor
Ependymoblastoma is a highly malignant brain tumor of childhood and is usually seen in the very young child or infant. It is rare among brain tumors in general, but these brain tumors are the second most common malignancy in the childhood age group, second only to leukemia.

Astrocytoma - Grade III and IV
Astrocytoma is a tumor that begins in the brain or spinal cord in small, star-shaped cells called astrocytes. Grade III Astrocytomas are moderately malignant.

Brain Cancer is Caused by Tumor
It is possible to have a brain tumor without that tumor being cancerous. Primary brown tumors can be either cancerous or non-cancerous. That is, the cells of the tumor may multiply but then stop or continue to multiply uncontrollably. Both types of primary brown tumors can cause complications including stroke, vision loss and hearing loss.