Brain tumors are a group of abnormal growths within the brain or central nervous system. These tumors can be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous) but even benign tumors can be dangerous due to location and pressure on the brain. Brain tumors can vary widely in their impact depending on size, location, and type. They are classified by grade (I–IV); Grade IV tumors like glioblastomas are the most aggressive.
Pediatric vs. Adult tumors: Children often experience different tumor types than adults.
Types of Brain Tumors
There are more than 120 different types of brain tumors, classified based on the cell of origin and behavior:
- Gliomas: Tumors arising from glial cells, including astrocytomas, oligodendrogliomas, and glioblastomas (the most aggressive).
- Meningiomas: Usually benign tumors that develop from the meninges, the protective layers surrounding the brain and spinal cord.
- Pituitary Tumors: Often benign, these affect hormone production and can cause systemic symptoms.
- Schwannomas: Tumors of the nerve sheath cells, such as acoustic neuromas affecting hearing.
- Metastatic Tumors: Secondary tumors that spread from cancers elsewhere in the body.
How Common Are Brain Tumors?
According to the American Brain Tumor Association, approximately 700,000 people in the U.S. are living with a primary brain tumor. Brain tumors represent about 1.4% of all new cancer cases.
Signs and Symptoms
Tumors can disrupt different brain functions:
• Frontal lobe: Affects personality, planning, attention, and can cause disinhibited behavior or hypersexuality.
• Temporal lobe: May cause memory loss or emotional outbursts.
• Occipital lobe: Visual changes.
• Cerebellum: Balance and coordination issues.
• Pituitary Gland: Vision problems, hormonal imbalances, weight changes, general endocrine disruption, infertility, menstrual/erectile dysfunction.
Common symptoms and early signs of brain tumors can include:
- Headaches
- Seizures
- Nausea and vomiting
- Cognitive changes such as memory loss
- Weakness or numbness on one side of the body
- Vision or speech difficulties
- Behavioral or personality changes
Because symptoms overlap with many other conditions, brain tumors can be challenging to diagnose early.
Understanding the variety and complexity of brain tumors is critical. They are not a single disease but a diverse group with varying prognoses and treatments. Early detection and specialized care improve outcomes. If you or someone you love experiences unexplained neurological changes, seek medical advice promptly.
Dr. Velmi, PsyD
(Reference: American Brain Tumor Association, 2024; WHO Classification of CNS Tumors, 2021)