What are brain tumours?
A brain tumour is a group of abnormal cells in the brain. Primary brain tumours start in the brain and can be either benign or malignant (Cancerous tumours that have started in another part of the body and have spread to the brain are called secondary brain tumours. They may also be called metastatic brain tumours or brain metastases.). In most parts of the body, a benign tumour is not as serious as a malignant tumour. In the brain, both benign and malignant tumours can be serious and possibly life-threatening.
Benign brain tumours do not contain cancer cells. They don’t invade nearby tissues, but they can press on certain parts of the brain, causing serious health problems.
Primary malignant brain tumours contain cancer cells. They tend to grow quickly, increasing pressure in the brain. They can also spread to other parts of the brain or to the spinal cord. These tumours are very serious and are often life-threatening.
The brain
The brain is a soft, spongy mass of tissue. It is the control centre of your body. Three main parts of the brain control the different activities you do:
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You use the cerebrum to see, feel, think, speak and move. The cerebrum receives messages from your senses to tell you what is going on and how to respond. It also controls thinking and memory. The cerebrum is the largest part of the brain. It is made up of two halves, called hemispheres. The right side of the brain controls the left side of your body and the left side of the brain controls the right side of your body. Each hemisphere is divided into sections, or lobes.
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The cerebellum is found under the cerebrum at the back of the brain. The cerebellum controls balance and coordination.
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The brain stem is at the bottom of the brain and connects the brain to the spinal cord. It controls the basic body functions necessary for living, including blood pressure, heartbeat, breathing and reflexes.
The brain is wrapped in three thin membranes called meninges. A watery fluid called cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) fills the spaces between the meninges and cushions the brain. The brain is protected by the skull.
The brain is made up of two types of cells: nerve cells (neurons) and glial cells. The nerve cells form a network that carries messages back and forth between the brain and the rest of the body. Glial cells surround the nerve cells and hold them in place. There are many different types of brain tumours, but most adult brain tumours start in the glial cells. These types of tumours are called gliomas.
More information on brain tumours For information about benign brain tumours, secondary (metastatic) brain cancer and brain tumours in children, please e-mail us or call our Cancer Information Service at 1 888 939-3333. |
Last modified on:
11 February 2010
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