Brain cancer (tumour) is the abnormal growth of cells in the brain. As this growth of cells expands it can put pressure on the brain thus with the potential to affect normal functions. A person with a brain tumour may experience headache, dizziness, seizures, vision problems and muscle weakness. The good news is that not all brain tumours are malignant – about half of all brain cancers are benign.
In contrast to malignant brain cancer, benign brain cancers do not spread to other parts of the body and grow more slowly. Benign tumours can still be dangerous if they grow on important parts of the brain and nerves, but they can normally be treated quite successfully.
Malignant tumours on the other hand, grow faster and can spread to other parts of the body. However, it is rare for a malignant brain tumour to spread to organs outside of the central nervous system, which primarily consists of the brain and the spinal cord.
There are many different cells that make up the central nervous system, and because of this there are different types and subtypes of brain cancers. There are more than 40 major types of brain tumours. About 80% of brain tumours are known as gliomas, which are made up of glial cells. Glial cells are the building blocks of connective and supportive tissue in the central nervous system.
There are different subtypes of gliomas, the most common ones are:
- Astrocytoma, is subtype of glioma which accounts for 60% of all malignant brain tumours. Astrocytomas are made up of astrocytes (star shaped glial cells).
- Ependymoma, mainly form on the lower part of the brain and the central canal of the spinal cord. They are the most common type of brain tumour in children.
In addition to gliomas, Meningioma is another type of brain tumour, it affects the membrane that surrounds the brain and spinal cord. In 90% of cases, meningiomas are benign and they account for 25% of all benign brain tumours. Meningioma tend to affect women more than men.
Brain cancer is not that common. It accounts for 2% of all cancers with more than 1400 new cases each year in Australia. With more than 1000 brain tumour-related deaths each year, the average survival rate is less than 30%, however this number can vary greatly depending on the type of brain cancer involved. The risk of being diagnosed by age 85 is 1 in 109 for men and 1 in 156 for women.
