Brain Cancer, cancer of the brain

Brain cancer: Each year, more than 17,000 people in the USA are diagnosed with a brain tumor.  Tumors can be either benign or malignant.  Benign or non-cancerous tumors can usually be surgically removed and are not likely to occur again.  Malignant or cancerous tumors crowd and invade healthy brain cells and interfere with vital functions.  They are usually rapid in growth and present a threat to life.

Brain tumors are identified as primary or secondary, terms that refer to their origin.  Brain tumors that are cancerous and whose origin is in the brain, affecting the central nervous system, are referred to as Primary Brain Tumors.  Brain tumors that are cancerous and whose origin is outside of the brain, but have metastasized or spread to the brain, are referred to as Secondary Brain Tumors.  Secondary Brain Tumors are ten times more common than Primary Brain Tumors.

Signs and Symptoms

• Abnormal eye movements or changes in vision
• Changes in personality or memory
• Changes in speech
• Drowsiness
• Headaches that often are worse in the morning
• Nausea or vomiting
• Seizures (convulsions)
• Stumbling or lack of coordination when walking
• Weakness or loss of feeling in the arms or legs