Multidisciplinary, coordinated care for brain tumors
Brain tumors are abnormal growths that can form within the brain tissue itself or in nearby areas, such as nerves, the membranes that protect the brain, or the pituitary gland, which produces and regulates hormones.
Whether malignant (cancerous) or benign (non-cancerous), brain tumors can be life-threatening if not treated. They can invade or put pressure on healthy tissue and disrupt the flow of blood and cerebrospinal fluid.
According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Strokes, there are more than 120 different kinds of brain tumors. Some of the most common types of brain tumors we treat include:
- Metastatic brain tumors. Also known as secondary brain tumors, this form of cancer starts elsewhere in the body and then spreads to the brain. Types of cancer likely to cause metastatic brain tumors include lung cancer, breast cancer, colon cancer, kidney cancer and melanoma. Among adults, these are the most common types of brain tumors.
- Astrocytomas. Astrocytomas are the most common type of primary brain tumor — tumors that originate in the brain. These tumors begin in astrocyte cells, which make up the supportive tissues of the brain. Astrocytomas can be malignant or benign.
- Glioblastomas. Glioblastomas are a highly malignant form of astrocytoma. These tumors tend to grow quickly and may spread to multiple regions in the brain. Glioblastomas are the most common type of malignant brain tumor.
- Meningiomas. These tumors originate in the protective lining (known as the meninges) that surrounds the brain. While meningiomas do not grow within the brain tissue itself, they can cause problems as they get bigger, affecting vision, hearing, memory and other areas of neurological functioning. More than 80 percent of meningiomas are benign and slow-growing.
Symptoms of brain tumors
Brain tumor symptoms vary according to the particular type of tumor and its location in the brain. However, common symptoms include:
- Persistent headaches that may get worse over time
- Persistent feelings of pressure in the head
- Nausea or vomiting
- Sudden vision problems including blurred vision, double vision or loss of vision
- Speech problems
- Difficulty balancing
- Personality and behavior changes
- New seizures
- Confusion and memory problems
- Fatigue
Diagnosing and treating brain tumors
When diagnosing a brain tumor, your doctor may recommend several tests, including:
- A neurological exam
- Medical imaging tests such as MRIs, CT scans or PET scans
- Biopsy
- Spinal tap (lumbar puncture)
- Electroencephalogram (EEG)
- Nerve conduction studies
Learn more about types of neurological testing and evaluation.
Treatment for brain tumors depends on several factors including the type, location and grade of the tumor. A tumor’s grade (based on a scale of 1 to 4) indicates how likely it is to invade healthy tissue and how quickly it may grow.
For many patients, treatment may involve surgical removal of the tumor. MultiCare neurosurgeons have expertise in both open and minimally invasive surgical approaches. The type of approach used to remove a tumor depends on your specific diagnosis and situation.
Treatment for brain tumors may also involve nonsurgical approaches, such as radiation or chemotherapy. Our neurosurgeons collaborate with radiation oncologists to perform some treatments that don’t involve incisions, such as stereotactic radiosurgery, which delivers precise beams of radiation to sensitive areas like the brain.
Following treatment, you may work with specialists, such as physical therapists, occupational therapists or speech therapists to help you recover and regain functioning. Your care team will work closely with you to create a personalized treatment plan that supports your quality of life while helping you achieve the best possible outcome.
Risk factors for brain tumors
The causes of most brain tumors are not known. Some risk factors include:
Exposure to radiation. People who have undergone radiation therapy for another condition may have an increased risk of developing brain tumors.
Age. It’s more common for brain tumors to develop as we age. According to the National Brain Tumor Society, more than 80 percent of primary brain tumors occur in adults. For those 20 and older, rates of primary brain tumors are highest among those 85 and older.
Medical conditions. While brain tumors do not typically run in families, there are some inherited conditions, such as Lynch syndrome, that may increase the risk of developing brain tumors.