What is a brain tumor? | Afrilatest.be

There are as many as 120 different types of brain tumors. A brain tumor can be benign or malignant, but with this type of tumor the distinction between benign and malignant is less clear than with many other tumors. Brain tumors can occur at any age. They do occur more often with increasing age.

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Benign or malignant

A brain tumor can be benign or malignant.

• In a benign brain tumor, there is a shell around the tumor cells. The cells can divide, but cannot spread outside the shell. This does not mean that a benign tumor is harmless. As a brain tumor grows, it can put pressure on certain parts of the brain. This can cause serious complaints. In the worst case, you can even die.
• A malignant brain tumor has no shell around the tumor cells. The cells can therefore grow undisturbed and affect the tissue around the tumor. The tumor cells can also spread throughout the body. In this way, multiple tumors can develop (metastases). In the case of a malignant tumor, we speak of cancer.

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Types of brain tumors

There are different types of brain tumors. Each type requires its own approach.

• Gliomas. A glioma is a tumor that arises from the supporting cells of the brain. There are different types of gliomas, most of which are malignant. After treatment, the glioma usually returns.
• Meningiomas. A meningioma develops in the meninges. Most meningiomas are benign. They do not spread further in the brain. However, a meningioma is located in important brain areas, which can cause serious complaints.
• Pituitary tumors. A pituitary tumor develops in the pituitary gland. This is the area in the skull, behind your nose. A tumor in the pituitary gland is almost always benign, but can still cause serious complaints because it presses on important parts of the brain.
• Tumors in or near the spinal cord. Tumors that arise in the spinal cord are divided into two groups: primary tumors (arising in the spinal cord) which are rather rare and secondary tumors (metastases of tumors elsewhere in the body to parts around the spinal cord) which occur more often. The pressure on the spinal cord can cause complaints such as pain, reduced sensation and paralysis below the level of the tumor.
• Cerebellopontine angle tumors. A cerebellopontine angle tumor develops in the angle between the brainstem and the cerebellum. This type of tumor usually develops from the eighth cranial nerve, which is called a vestibular schwannoma. A cerebellopontine angle tumor is almost always benign: it grows very slowly and does not metastasize. However, it can cause complaints if it presses against one or more nerves.

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How dangerous is a brain tumor?

How dangerous a brain tumor is exactly, must be considered on a case-by-case basis. In general, tumors that are classified as malignant are more serious than benign tumors.

Whether a brain tumor is benign or malignant, both types can cause serious damage to the body by pressing on healthy parts of the brain and spreading there. In any case, a brain tumor must be treated.

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