INTRODUCTION: Brain cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in patients younger than age 35. Primary brain cancer starts in the brain while Metastatic brain cancer starts somewhere else in the body and moves to the brain. Primary brain cancer rarely spreads beyond the central nervous system, and death results from uncontrolled tumor growth within the limited space of the skull. Metastatic (spreading) brain cancer indicates advanced disease and has a poor prognosis.

In the United States, the annual incidence of this disease is around 15 tO 20 cases per 100,000 people. Primary brain tumors account for 50 percent of intracranial tumors and secondary brain cancer accounts for the remaining cases. The annual incidence of primary brain cancer in children is approximately 3 per 100,000. Secondary brain cancer occurs in 20% to 30% of persons with metastatic disease and incidences increases with age. In the US, about 100,000 cases of secondary brain cancer are diagnosed each year.

SYMPTOMS: The symptoms of a brain tumor can vary greatly from person to person. They usually come about over time and their characteristics depend on the location and size of the tumor. Symptoms produced by a tumor of the meninges (meningioma) depend on which section of the brain is being compressed. They include headaches, as well as vision problems. Symptoms of growing intracranial pressure may also be seen and Nausea,Vomiting, and Headaches are also very common.

TYPES: As previously stated above there are two types of brain tumors: primary brain tumors that originate in the brain and metastatic (secondary) brain tumors that originate from cancer cells that have migrated from other parts of the body to the brain. Both types take up space in the brain and may cause serious symptoms.

RISKS: Those with a history of melanoma, lung, breast, colon, or kidney cancer are at great risk for secondary brain cancer. Exposure to vinyl chloride is an environmental risk factor for the disease. People who work in these plants or live nearby to them have an increased risk for brain cancer. Persons who have received radiation therapy to the head as part of a previous treatment for other malignancies are also at an increased risk for new tumors.

Life carries some risk, and no data can ever be perfect. It is simply not possible to rule out every potential risk. Also, small risks that require millions of people to be exposed or years of exposure cannot be studied until after a product is in the marketplace and is actually being used by millions of people.

TREATMENT: A histologic examination is neccessary for determining the right treatment and the correct prognosis. Treatment depends age, the stage of the cancer, the type and position of the tumor , and whether the cancer is a primary tumor or brain metastases.

Treatment involves various combinations of surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. Surgery is the recommended treatment for accessible primary brain tumors, if the patient is in good health. The primary treatment option for single metastatic tumors is surgical removal, followed by radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy. The treatment plan is developed by a team of oncologist and the patient. The more information you have, the easier it is to make decisions about your cancer treatment.

CONCLUSION: Brain cancer has a wide variety of symptoms including seizures, sleepiness, confusion, and behavioral changes. There are two main types of brain cancer. Drastic and sometimes life-threatening complications can develop. Symptoms of brain and spinal cord tumors generally develop slowly and worsen over time unless they are treated.

Statistics suggest that brain cancer is not rare and will probably develop in about 20,000 people OR more each year. Those with risk factors such as having a job in an oil refinery, as a chemist, embalmer, or rubber-industry worker show higher occurences of the disease. Some families have several members with the disease, but heredity as a cause has not been proven. Other risk factors such as smoking, radiation exposure, and viral infection (HIV) have been suggested but not proven as a cause for brain cancer. There is no scientific evidence that brain cancer is contagious, caused by head trauma, or by the use cell phone (Yet).