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BRAIN TUMOUR Section of Cancer Care's Web Site

Some Facts About Brain Tumors:

In 1999 it is estimated that 16,800 people will be diagnosed with brain tumors or other nervous system cancer in the United States, with approximately 9500 new cases for men, and 7,300 new cases for women.

Brain tumors can originate from many different types of brain cells. This is significant because a brain tumor is named for the cell from which it originates. Most malignant brain tumors develop from glial cells; "glioma" is a general term for any tumor originating from glial cells. Brain tumors can also be benign, meaning they are less aggressive. Even so, benign brain tumors can be problematic depending upon the area of the brain they effect.

Certain brain tumors may not only spread in the brain but also into the spinal cord. It is rare for primary brain tumors to spread outside the central nervous system. On the other hand, cancers from other parts of the body often spread (or "metastasize") to the brain. The most common cancers that spread to the brain are lung, breast, kidney and skin. However when this happens, it is not diagnosed as "brain cancer". Instead, it would be diagnosed, for example, as lung cancer with metastases to the brain.Very little is known about the causes of brain tumors. Some connections have been made between certain chemical and environmental agents, but none of these factors has been definitely shown to cause brain tumors.

Clinical Trials Information

Clinical trials, (or "treatment studies"), are research studies designed to find more effective treatments and improved ways to use current treatments. Participation in clinical trials may be something you want to consider. Some people feel frightened about the prospect of a clinical trial, because of the misperception that it is simply an experiment. It is important to remember that, in most cases, the new treatment being tested has already shown promise of being an improvement over the current therapy. In many cases, the best treatment you can receive is probably being improved, right now, through a clinical trial. The links in this section will help you determine if a clinical trial is right for you, and list the clinical trials with their location. As always, the best place to start is with your doctor. Together you can make decisions as to whether any of these treatments make sense for you, and whether you qualify for a particular clinical trial.

Brain Tumors and Children
Having a child who is diagnosed with a serious illness causes families to summon all the courage and strength available to them. Brain tumors are the second most common type of malignancy in children under the age of 10. Brain tumors in children generally carry a different, less grave prognosis than those seen in adults. .

Where To Go for Support
People with cancer and their families are usually confronted with lots of complicated information and difficult decisions to make. All of this occurs in the face of many overwhelming emotions. It often helps to have someone to connect to who can help you sort through all of your concerns. Sometimes this is a professional in the health care field, other times it may be someone who has experienced the same situation you have. Support may also come from reading something inspirational. This section will link you to people and places that can provide you assistance as you move through your journey with cancer.