Brain Cancer

The American Cancer Society estimates that about 22,070 new malignant tumors of the brain or spinal cord were diagnosed in 2009, and that 12,920 people died from brain or spinal cord tumors in the same time period. About 80% of malignant brain tumors arise in glial cells, the cells that support nerve cells within the brain. These types of cancers, known as gliomas, include glioblastoma. Unlike many other cancers, which may spread to distant parts of the body, brain cancers rarely spread beyond the brain. Unless completely removed or destroyed, most brain and spinal tumors will continue growing, eventually leading to death. The 5-year survival rate for glioblastoma ranges from 14% for patients between the ages of 20 and 44 years, to just 1% for people ages 55 to 64.

Exposure to radiation is the primary environmental risk factor for brain tumors. This exposure usually results from radiation therapy used to treat other medical conditions, most typically other cancers. Familial cases of brain tumors are uncommon, but may arise due to changes in specific genes.

Glioblastoma can be treated with a variety of methods, depending on the size and type of the tumor and its location within the brain. Treatment approaches include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and targeted therapies. Other medical therapies may also be used to relieve symptoms of brain cancer, such as headaches and seizures. For many brain cancers, surgery is used to remove as much of the brain tumor as possible, with other therapies used after surgery to kill any remaining tumor cells. Tumors that are not amenable to surgery are usually treated with radiation, often in combination with chemotherapy. 

Adapted from the American Cancer Society’s “Detailed Guide: Brain/CNS Tumors in Adults”

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