Brain Tumors: Primary vs Metastatic
Tumors in the brain can be either primary or metastatic.
Primary Brain Tumors
Primary brain tumors arise from the tissues of the brain or its immediate surroundings, such as the meninges. Most of these tumors are malignant (cancerous), though a few are benign (non-cancerous space-occupying lesions).
They occur in approximately 250,000 people globally each year, accounting for less than 2% of all cancers. The median age at diagnosis is around 55 years and shows a bimodal distribution, with peaks in the 1st and 6th decades of life.
The most common primary brain tumors include:
- Gliomas
- Meningiomas
- Pituitary adenomas
- Vestibular schwannomas
- Primary CNS lymphomas
- Primitive neuroectodermal tumors (e.g., medulloblastomas)
In Children
Brain tumors are the second most common cancer after leukemia. The most frequent types are:
- Medulloblastomas
- Low-grade astrocytomas
- Craniopharyngiomas
- Brainstem gliomas
In Adults
The most common types are meningiomas and astrocytomas, such as glioblastoma.
Metastatic Brain Tumors
These tumors originate in other parts of the body—such as the lungs, breast, kidneys, or prostate—and spread to the brain, usually through the bloodstream.
Brain Cancer: Signs, Symptoms, Risk Factors & Prevention
Signs & Symptoms
- Persistent headaches, often worse in the morning
- Nausea or vomiting without any clear cause
- Blurred or double vision, speech difficulties
- Seizures or convulsions, especially new onset
- Memory loss, confusion, or personality changes
- Balance problems or trouble walking
- Weakness or numbness in arms, legs, or face
Risk Factors
- Exposure to high doses of ionizing radiation
- Family history of brain tumors or genetic conditions
- Previous cancer treatments, especially radiation
- Occupational exposure to chemicals or electromagnetic fields
- Weakened immune system (e.g., HIV/AIDS)
- Increasing age and male gender
Prevention
- Avoid unnecessary exposure to radiation and harmful chemicals
- Use protective gear if working with chemicals or radiation
- Maintain a healthy immune system with balanced nutrition and exercise
- Manage existing health conditions and avoid immunosuppressive drugs when possible
- Regular medical check-ups for early detection if at risk
- Practice safe habits to minimize exposure to environmental toxins
Brain Cancer Treatment Options
Brain cancer treatment often involves a combination of chemotherapy, biological therapy, radiation therapy, or even gene therapy. For patients with metastases to the central nervous system from systemic cancer, procedures may include:
- Surgery
- Radiation Therapy
- Radiotherapy
- Steroids (to treat and prevent swelling, especially in the brain)
- Anti-seizure medication (to manage seizures caused by intracranial pressure)
- Bone marrow transplantation
- Palliative care
- Rehabilitation
- Continuous follow-up care
Image-Guided Robotic Radiosurgery (CyberKnife)
Stereotactic radiosurgery is a non-invasive treatment that uses high-dose radiation beams delivered from multiple angles to converge on a specific target. This precise method ensures the tumor receives a concentrated radiation dose while minimizing exposure to surrounding healthy tissue.
The CyberKnife system employs a robotic arm with a linear accelerator to focus these radiation beams on the tumor. It is used to effectively treat both primary and metastatic brain tumors, offering a highly targeted approach without the need for incisions or traditional surgery.
- Genetic mutations
- Radiation exposure
- Family history of brain tumors
- Certain inherited syndromes
- Persistent headaches
- Seizures
- Vision or hearing problems
- Nausea or vomiting
- Difficulty with balance or speech
- Memory loss or personality changes
- Neurological exams
- MRI or CT scans
- Biopsy (sample of tumor tissue)
- Advanced imaging (e.g. PET scan, functional MRI)
- Surgery – to remove as much of the tumor as possible
- Radiation therapy – to destroy cancer cells
- Chemotherapy – to target cancer systemically
- Targeted therapy or Immunotherapy – for specific tumor types
- Rehabilitation – to help regain lost functions
- Avoid unnecessary radiation exposure
- Live a healthy lifestyle
- Get regular checkups if you’re at genetic risk
- Patient counseling
- Family support services
- Palliative care
- Rehabilitation & neuropsychological support
- Survivorship programs
