Brain Cancer Overview

Cancer of the brain are the consequence of abnormal growths of the sells in the brain, Brain cancer can arise from primary brain cells, the cells that from other brain components( for example, membranes, blood vessels), or from the growth of cancer cells that develop in other organs and that have spread to the brain by bloodstrea, (metastatic brain cancer)

• Although many growths in the brain are popularly called brain tumors, not all brain tumors are cancerous. Cancer is a term reserved for malignant tumors.
•  Malignant tumors grow and pread aggressiverly, overpowering healthy cells by taking their space, blood, and nutrients. Like all cells of the body, tumor cells need blood and nutrients to survive. This especially a problem in the brain, as added growth within the closed confines of the skull can lead to an increase in intracranial pressure or the distorion or surronding vital sructures, causing their malfunction.

• Tumors that do not grow aggressively are called benign. Almost aall tumors that begin in the brain do not spread to other parts of the body. The major difference between benign and malignant tumors is that malignant tumors can invaded the brain tissues and grow rapidly. This rapid growth in the confines of the skull can quickly cause damage to nearby brain tissue.

• In general, a bes less serious than a malignant tumor. However, a benign tumor can still cause many problems in the brain, but usually the problems progress at a slower rate than malignant tumors.

sometimes people confuse brain aneurysms with brain tumors. Brain aneurysms are not tumors; they are areas in the brain arteries or veins that are abnormally weak and expand to form a ballooning or expansion of the vessel wall. They seldom produce any symptoms unless they begin to leak blood into the surrounding brain tissue.  Aneurysms may be congenital (present at birth ) or expanded or formed in brain vessels after vessel damage (for example, trauma, atherosclerosis, high blood pressure) but are not formed from cancer cells. Unfortunetely, when aneurysms produce symptoms, they can rese,ble those produced by brain tumors.