Brain Cancer is the abnormal growth of cells around your brain, or may be due to metastatic cancer that originates from another part, reaching the brain. Together, brain and spinal cord tumors are called Central nervous system tumors.
Only about one-third of the brain tumors are harmful. Brain tumors, either cancerous or non-cancerous, can significantly impact your health and interfere with normal brain functioning as they grow larger and affect the nearby tissues, nerves, and blood vessels. Brain tumors can be life-changing, but early diagnosis and advanced treatment options offer hope and improved outcomes.
Brain tumors are broadly classified into Benign (noncancerous) and malignant (cancerous), and within these are specific types of tumors depending upon their origin and Location. These include:
Some of the brain cancer symptoms include
Here are some of the causes. Include these:
DNA change (genetic mutation)
Changes in genes can lead to uncontrolled cell growth in the brain. Some brain tumors are linked to inherited genetic conditions (like neurofibromatosis and Li-Fraumeni syndrome).
Family history
Usually rare (5-10%), but people with a family history of brain tumors may have a higher risk.
Radiation Exposure
High doses of ionizing radiation (like from radiation therapy or nuclear accidents) can increase risk. Example: people treated with radiation in the past.
Age and Gender
Some brain tumors are more common in certain age groups; e.g., meningiomas are more common in women, gliomas in adults, and Medulloblastomas in children.
Immune Disorders
People with weakened immune systems (HIV/AIDS or organ transplant recipients) are at higher risk, especially for primary CNS lymphoma.
Environmental or Occupational Exposures
Although less proven, exposure to certain chemicals or electromagnetic fields (e.g., long-term mobile phone use) is still being studied, but has not been conclusively proven.
Earlier Cancers:
People who have had cancer in the past are at slightly higher risk of developing brain tumors, especially if they had prior chemotherapy or radiotherapy.
Brain tumors are classified into grades (1-4) based on their appearance under a microscope and how quickly they grow and spread. These are
Cells look nearly normal and grow very slowly, are usually non-cancerous, and may be cured with surgery alone.
Grade III (High-Grade/Malignant)
Cells look abnormal and grow faster. Tumors are cancerous and usually require aggressive treatment (surgery, radiation, chemotherapy). Likely to recur
Cells look very abnormal and multiply quickly. Tumors are highly cancerous, invasive, and hard to treat, showing rapid progression with poor prognosis. Ex-Glioblastoma multiforme(one of the aggressive cancer forms).
Diagnosis of a brain tumor is a complex process that requires proper attention by a specialist.
If you are experiencing any symptoms, they will ask you about your
Imaging Tests:
MRI and CT: A contrast may be used (for an MRI scan) that is taken intravenously to enhance the images for better examination, or a CT scan, compared to an MRI, helps detect bleeding, swelling, or large tumors.
Blood Tests: Not used to directly detect brain tumors, but may help rule out other conditions or check for tumor markers in rare cases.
Biopsy: A small sample of tumor tissue is taken and examined under a microscope. Confirms type, grade, and whether it’s benign or malignant.
Molecular Testing/Genetic Testing (Advanced): Helps identify specific mutations or biomarkers to guide treatment (like targeted therapy or immunotherapy).
Lumbar Puncture (Spinal Tap): Your healthcare provider takes cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) to examine the cancer cells, especially in cases like medulloblastoma or CNS lymphoma and meningioma.
The Brain cancer treatment depends upon several factors, such as Tumor size and type ,and location
Treatment includes:
Craniotomy (brain surgery): This involves the removal of the part of the tumor from the brain very carefully, or when you are awake, to check for normal brain activity.
Radiation therapy: It uses high doses of radiation to kill Brain tumor cells.
Brachytherapy: It is a type of radiation therapy in which small capsules or implants are placed near a tumor that gives off the radiation for a shorter time, which shrinks or destroys the tumor.
Chemotherapy: It uses high-dose anticancer drugs to kill cancerous cells. It is usually given after surgery to kill cancerous cells.
Immunotherapy- An Advanced treatment technique that enhances immunity and specifically targets and kills cancerous cells without harming the normal cells
Here are some of the tips that can help reduce the risk of this cancer.
Avoid radiation exposure.
Avoid exposure to high-dose ionizing radiation.
Harmful chemicals
Minimize exposure to industrial solvents, pesticides, and other toxic substances if you work in high-risk environments.
Healthy lifestyle
Eat a balanced diet, exercise regularly, and get enough sleep to support overall brain and immune health.
Monitor genetic risk.
If you have a family history of brain tumors or inherited syndromes (like neurofibromatosis), talk to a genetic counselor for screening and regular checkups.
Immune health
A strong immune system may help lower the risk of certain rare brain tumors (like CNS lymphoma), especially in immunocompromised individuals.
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| Field | Global | India |
|---|---|---|
|
cases |
~322,000 new CNS tumors; 3 per 100k annually; ~51% malignant |
Estimated ~28,000-50,000 new cases per year of primary malignant brain tumors (NCRP data) |
|
Deaths |
~251,329 CNS cancer deaths |
~24,000 deaths/year; rural mortality higher than urban |
|
Age & Gender |
Median age ~58 (range 0–85+); more in males (M:F ~1.3:1) |
Median age ~40–50; male:female ~1.3:1; children <15 account for ~20–26% of all childhood cancers in India |
|
Hotspots |
Higher incidence in high-income countries (USA, Nordic) |
Urban centers (Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata) report more cases; rural under-reporting noted |
|
Rural vs Urban |
Rural brain tumour mortality > urban |
Urban patients get diagnosed/treated more, but rural diagnoses are often made via verbal autopsy |
|
5-yr Survival |
~20% average for malignant CNS tumours; ~6–10% for glioblastoma |
India: Childhood brain tumour 5‑yr survival ~26.8%; adult malignant survival is still low |
|
Subtypes |
Gliomas are ~81% of malignant brain tumors; glioblastoma is ~48% of gliomas; meningioma is the most benign (~37% of all CNS tumors). |
GBM is ~38% of malignant cases; aggressive and hard to treat |
Depending on your age, type, and location of the tumor. The survival rate for almost all types of cancer is around 58.6%, and for cancer, it can be approximately 37%
Unfortunately, it cannot be prevented, but its risk can be reduced by adopting a healthy lifestyle through diet, regular exercise, and healthy habits, which can lower the chance of getting a brain tumor.
Some brain tumors are curable, particularly if diagnosed early and thoroughly removed. Although high-grade or aggressive brain tumors are not curable, they can often be managed with treatment to improve quality of life and survival time.
Grade IV brain tumors are considered the most aggressive and dangerous. They grow rapidly, are hard to treat, and often have a poor prognosis compared to lower-grade tumors.
No, not all brain tumors are cancerous. Benign brain tumors grow slowly and usually don’t spread, while malignant brain tumors are aggressive and can invade nearby brain tissue.
There is no exact cause of brain tumors, but risk factors include genetic mutations, radiation exposure, family history of brain tumors, and environmental or occupational exposures.
Yes, lifelong monitoring with periodic MRI or CT scans is essential to check for tumor recurrence or manage late effects of treatment.
Some types, such as medulloblastomas, are more common in children. Early diagnosis and specialized treatment are essential.
The growth rate depends on the type and grade. Benign tumors grow slowly, while high-grade tumors like glioblastoma may grow rapidly.
Yes, depending on the tumor’s location, patients may experience memory problems, mood swings, personality changes, or difficulty concentrating. Are they all correct?
