What Are the Causes of a Brain Tumor?

A brain tumor is a mass of abnormal cells that form in the brain. Brain tumors may be benign, or non-cancerous, or malignant, or cancerous. A primary brain tumor is a tumor that begins in the brain. A secondary brain tumor originates in another part of your body, then spreads to the brain. There are many possible causes.

Causes

• A primary brain tumor starts with mutations of brain cells. Mutated brain cells divide and multiply at a faster rate than normal cells, resulting in a mass that crowds out normal cells. Secondary brain tumors are more common than primary ones and result from cancer in another part of your body becoming what is called metastatic or spreading from its tumor origin. Secondary brain tumors may originate from lung, breast, colon, kidney and melanoma cancers.

Effects

• The effects of a tumor in the brain would include frequent headaches, nausea, vomiting, speech impairment, fever, clumsiness, loss of memory and having difficulty standing or walking. Other effects on your overall health would include facial paralysis, difficulty swallowing, drooping of the eyelids, hand tremors and a loss of smell.

Risk Factors

• Certain risk factors increase your risk of developing a brain tumor and include age, race, family history and exposure to radiation or chemicals. Persons who are white and over the age of 45 have shown the most incidences of brain tumors, according to the Mayo Clinic. Exposure to ionizing radiation, which is radiation used in cancer treatment, and to certain chemicals in industries such as electric, health care and oil refineries, are also risk factors.

Considerations

• A brain tumor can cause complications depending on the area being affected. A patient may experience severe headaches, seizures, personality changes, weakness in your arms or legs and vision loss.

Diagnosis

• Doctors perform a neurological exam by checking for alertness, coordination and muscle strength. A CT scan or MRI will reveal a mass or tumor in the brain. A tissue biopsy of the tumor may be performed to determine whether the tumor is malignant or benign. Tissue will be extracted from the tumor with a stereotactic needle and studied in the lab.

Treatment

• Treatment for brain tumors depend on several factors including overall health, type of tumor and where it is located in the brain. Surgery will be an option if the tumor is located in a place that is easily accessible and is away from sensitive brain areas. Radiation therapy shrinks the tumor by using high-energy beams of light directed straight at the tumor. Chemotherapy is the use of drugs to kill tumor cells. Your doctor will advise on the best treatment options.