Brain tumors full best

The Role of the Brain in the Central Nervous System
The central nervous system consists of the brain and spinal cord. The brain is the vital
organ in the body that controls thought, memory, emotion, touch, motor skills, vision,
respirations, temperature, hunger, and every process that regulates our body.
Each part of the brain has a role in controlling the body. The brain controls breathing, blood
flow, and movement. The brain also allows you to think, handle emotions, and make
judgments.

A high-level map of brain function
The Different Parts of the Brain


The front of the brain is the center for emotions and reasoning. This is where
personality comes from.



The right side of the brain controls the left side of the body. The right side also
directs problem-solving and spatial skills, such as judging distance.



The left side of the brain controls the right side of the body. It also handles verbal
or language skills.



The brainstem handles basic body functions, such as breathing, blood flow, and
swallowing.



The back of the brain controls vision.


A high-level map of brain anatomy
At a high level, the brain can be divided into the cerebrum, brainstem, and cerebellum:


Cerebrum
The cerebrum (located in the front of the brain) is composed of the right and left
hemispheres. Functions of the cerebrum include: initiation of movement,
coordination of movement, temperature, touch, vision, hearing, judgment,
reasoning, problem solving, emotions, and learning.



Brainstem
The brainstem (located in the middle of the brain) includes the midbrain, the pons,
and the medulla. Functions of this area include: movement of the eyes and mouth,
relaying sensory messages (hot, pain, loud, etc.), hunger, respiration, consciousness,
cardiac function, body temperature, involuntary muscle movement, sneezing,
coughing, vomiting and swallowing.



Cerebellum
The cerebellum is at the back of the brain. Its function is to coordinate voluntary
muscle movements and to maintain posture, balance, and equilibrium.

A More Detailed Look at the Brain

A More Detailed Map of Brain Anatomy
Depending on the location of your tumor, you may want to discuss some parts of the brain
in greater detail with your medical team at the Stanford Brain Tumor Center. This section,
which defines the function of more specific areas of the brain, can help you do that.




Pons
The pons contains many of the control areas for facial movements. It is located in a
deep part of the brain in the brainstem.



Medulla
The medulla is the most vital part of the brain and contains important control
centers for the heart and lungs. It is located in the lowest part of the brainstem



Spinal cord
The spinal cord is a large bundle of nerve fibers that carries messages to and from
the brain and the rest of the body. It is located in the spine and extends from the
base of the brain to the lower back.



Frontal lobe
The frontal lobe is involved in personality characteristics and movement. In

addition, recognition of smell usually involves parts of the frontal lobe. The frontal
lobe is the largest section of the brain, located in the front of the head.



Parietal lobe
The parietal lobe helps a person to identify objects and understand spatial
relationships (where one's body is compared to objects around the person). The
parietal lobe is also involved in interpreting pain and touch in the body. It is located
in the middle part of the brain.



Occipital lobe
The occipital lobe is located in the back part of the brain that is involved with
vision.



Temporal lobe
The temporal lobes are involved in memory, speech, musical rhythm, and some
degree of smell recognition. They are located on the sides of the brain.

What Is A Brain Tumor?


Brain anatomy illustrating tumor and tumor cells

A brain tumor is an abnormal growth of tissue in the brain. The tumor can either originate
in the brain itself (primary brain tumor), or come from another part of the body and travel

to the brain (metastatic or secondary tumor). Brain tumors are classified as either benign
(non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous), depending on their location, size and behavior.
A benign tumor does not contain cancer cells and once it is removed it usually does not
recur. Most benign brain tumors have clear borders, meaning they do not invade the
surrounding tissue. These tumors can however cause symptoms similar to cancerous tumors
depending on size and location.
Malignant brain tumors do contain cancer cells. They are usually fast growing and
invade surrounding tissue. Malignant brain tumors very rarely spread to other areas of the
body, but may recur within the brain even after treatment. Sometimes brain tumors that are
not cancerous are called malignant because of their size and location and the damage they
can therefore do to vital functions of the brain.
Metastatic brain tumors are tumors that begin to grow in another part of the body and
then spread to the brain through the lymph nodes and bloodstream. Common types of
cancer that can travel to the brain include lung cancer, breast cancer, nasopharyngeal
cancer, melanoma (a type of skin cancer), and colon cancer. Metastatic cancers are
described and treated based on the specific type of the original cancer. For example, breast
cancer that has spread to the brain is called metastatic breast cancer.
How Common Is Brain Cancer?
Brain Cancer is a brain tumor that has been diagnosed as being malignant.
The American Cancer Society's estimates for malignant brain and spinal cord tumors in the


United States for 2011 are cited here. They include both adults and children. These
statistics are only for tumors that begin in the brain. If they included tumors that migrated
to the brain (metastatic tumors, the numbers would be much higher).
About 22,340 malignant tumors of the brain or spinal cord (12,260 in males and 10,080 in
females) will be diagnosed in 2011. Overall, the chance that a person will develop a
malignant tumor of the brain or spinal cord in his or her lifetime is less than 1% (about 1 in
150 for a man and 1 in 185 for a woman).
Survival rates for malignant brain tumors vary widely. The rates depend on the type of

tumor and many other factors, including where the patient is treated and how experienced
the physicians are who are responsible for treating the patient with neurosurgery, radiation
or chemotherapy. That is why it is important to be seen at the Stanford Brain Tumor Center.
What Causes Brain Tumors?
Patients often want to know if brain tumors are hereditary. They are not. Some hereditary
diseases are linked to brain tumors, but these are very rare diseases.

Brain and spinal tumors are masses of cells that have grown out of control. This
uncontrolled growth results from changes directly in the tumor cell’s genes. Researchers at
Stanford are working hard to figure out what causes these changes in the cell’s DNA
(genetic material). It is know that some causes are environmental while others are genetic.
Most primary brain tumors are not associated with any known risk factors and have no
obvious cause, but there are a few factors, both genetic and environmental, that may raise
the risk of brain tumors. Many researchers at Stanford are studying the cause of primary
brain tumors so that they can develop novel and improved methods of treating brain cancer.
People who work in oil refining, rubber manufacturing, and with chemicals may have a
higher incidence of certain types of tumors. Which chemical toxins may be related to an
increase in tumors not known at this time.
Patients who have received radiation therapy to the head as part of prior treatment for other
malignancies are also at an increased risk for new brain tumors.
What Are the Symptoms of a Brain Tumor?
The following are the most common symptoms of a brain tumor. However, each person
will experience symptoms differently. Symptoms vary depending on the size and location
of the tumor. Many symptoms are related to an increase in pressure in or around the brain.
This is known as intracranial pressure or ICP. There is no spare space in the skull for
anything except the delicate tissues of the brain and its fluid. Any tumor, extra tissue, or
fluid can cause pressure on the brain and result in increased intracranial pressure.
Increased intracranial pressure can cause the following symptoms:


Headache




Vomiting (usually in the morning)



Nausea



Personality changes



Irritability



Drowsiness



Depression



Decreased cardiac and respiratory function and eventually coma, if not treated.

Symptoms of brain tumors in the cerebrum (front of brain) may include:


Increased intracranial pressure



Seizures



Visual changes



Slurred speech



Paralysis or weakness on half of the body or face



Drowsiness and/or confusion



Personality changes/impaired judgment



Short-term memory loss



Problems with walking



Communication problems

Symptoms of brain tumors in the brainstem (base of the brain) may include:


Increased intracranial pressure



Seizures



Endocrine problems (diabetes and/or hormone regulation)



Visual changes or double vision



Headaches




Paralysis of nerves/muscles of the face or in one half of the body



Respiratory changes



Clumsy, uncoordinated walk



Hearing loss



Personality changes

Symptoms of brain tumors in the cerebellum (back of brain) may include:


Increased intracranial pressure



Vomiting (usually occurs in the morning without nausea)



Headache



Uncoordinated muscle movements



Problems with walking

What are the Different Types of Brain Tumors?

There are many different types of brain tumors that originate in the brain. They are
categorized by the type of cell where the tumor begins, or by the area of the brain where
they occur. Some tumors begin outside the brain and spread to the brain. Others begin
locally in the brain. At the Stanford Brain Tumor Clinic, we have a lot of experience
treating both the common tumors and those that are less common.

Metastatic tumors – Tumors that spread to the brain
In adults, metastatic brain tumors are the most common type of brain tumors. These are
tumors that begin in another part of the body, and spread to the brain through the
bloodstream. Lung, breast, and colon cancers frequently travel to the brain, as do certain


skin cancers. Metastatic brain tumors may be quite aggressive and may return after surgery,

radiation therapy, and chemotherapy.
Common tumors that originate in the brain
Glioma
The most common type of primary brain tumor is a glioma. Gliomas begin from glial cells,
which are the supportive tissue of the brain. There are several types of gliomas, categorized
by where they are found, and the type of cells that originated the tumor.

Astrocytoma
Astrocytomas are the most common type of primary brain tumor in adults. Astrocytomas
are further classified by their symptoms, treatment, and prognosis, along with the location
of the tumor. In adults, astrocytomas are more common in the cerebral hemispheres
(cerebrum), where they commonly cause increased intracranial pressure (ICP), seizures, or
changes in behavior.
Glioblastoma
High-grade astrocytomas are called glioblastomas. Glioblastomas are the most malignant of
all brain tumors. We routinely treat glioblastomas at the Stanford Brain Tumor Center with
a broad range of treatments that can help to delay the tumor’s impact and growth.
Meningiomas
Meningiomas are usually benign tumors that come from the meninges or dura, which is the
tough outer covering of the brain just under the skull. This type of tumor accounts for
about one third of brain tumors in adults. They are slow growing and may exist for years
before being detected. Meningiomas are most common in older patients, with the highest
rate occurring in people in their 70s and 80s. The tumors can sometimes be removed
entirely during surgery.

Schwannomas and Neuromas
Schwannomas are benign tumors. They are most common on the nerves that control
hearing and balance. When schwannomas involve these nerves, they are called vestibular
schwannomas or acoustic neuromas. Symptoms of these tumors often include problems
with hearing or with weakness on one side of the face. Surgery can be difficult because of

the area of the brain in which they occur, and the vital structures around the tumor.
Occasionally, radiation (or a combination of surgery and radiation) is used to treat these
tumors.


Pituitary Tumors
The pituitary gland is located at the base of the brain. It produces hormones that control
many other glands in the body. Pituitary tumors can lead to problems with thyroid
functioning, impotence, milk production from the breasts, irregular menstrual periods, or
problems regulating the fluid balance in the body. Due to the closeness of the pituitary
gland to the nerves of the eyes, patients with these tumors may have decreased vision.
Tumors in the pituitary are frequently benign. Since the pituitary is at the base of the skull,
removal of a pituitary tumor at Stanford is often done using an advanced technique where
the physicians can access the tumor through the nose without external surgery. Some
pituitary tumors can be treated with medication, to shrink the tumor or stop the growth of
the tumor without surgery.
Primitive neuroectodermal tumors (PNET)
PNET tumors can occur anywhere in the brain, although the most common place is in the
back of the brain near the cerebellum where they are called medulloblastomas. The
symptoms depend on the location in the brain, but usually the patient experiences increased
intracranial pressure. These tumors are fast growing and often malignant, occasional
spreading throughout the brain or spinal cord.
Spinal Tumors
Spinal tumors are primary or metastatic lesions that can involve both the spinal cord and
the vertebrae comprising the bony spinal column. Compression of the spinal cord or
collapse of the spinal column may result in paralysis, loss of bowel and bladder function,
pain, and loss of functional capacity. The cornerstone of treatment for metastatic spinal
lesions has been palliation of pain and preservation of neurological function. Conversely,
the central tenet of treating primary tumors of the spine, such as chondrosarcomas,
sarcomas, and chordomas, along with select oligometastatic lesions, is complete marginfree en bloc resection.

Total en bloc spondylectomy (TES) is a surgical technique aimed at achieving en bloc
resection of these types of spinal tumors. The TES procedure has one primary goal: to
completely and safely remove a spinal tumor and minimize the risk of recurrence. TES
continues to offer promise as a salvage strategy for patients failing treatment with radiation
or radiosurgery. TES is recognized as a very technically challenging surgical procedure that
is available at only a few medical centers in the world, including Stanford Hospital &
Clinics.