Abnormal growth of cells inside the brain or skull is commonly known as Brain Tumor. The tumors can either grow from the brain tissue or cancer from elsewhere in the body can spread to the brain. The brain tumor is otherwise known as an intracranial tumor. It is an abnormal mass of tissue in which cells grow and multiply uncontrollably. There are two main groups of brain tumors termed primary and metastatic. The primary brain tumors include the tissues of the brain or the brain’s immediate surroundings. This is classified as glial or non-glial. Metastatic brain tumor refers to cancer which starts somewhere else in the body but spreads to the brain.

What causes brain tumors?
The causes of brain tumors are not certain. As per some researchers, brain tumors can grow, when certain genes on the chromosomes of a cell are no longer functioning properly.

People at risk for brain tumors include those who have:

• Cancerous cells in the body
• Exposure to pesticides
• Exposure to industrial solvents, and chemicals
• Inherited diseases, such as neurofibromatosis

What are the symptoms?
The tumors may usually affect the brain by destroying the normal tissue. It can compress normal tissues by increasing intracranial pressure. The signs and symptoms differ depending on the tumor’s type, size, and location which includes:

• Severe headaches
• Change in the pattern of headaches, which gradually turn into more frequent and more severe ones
• Gradual loss of sensation in arm or leg
• Seizures
• Stumbling
• Difficulty with balance
• Dizziness
• Difficulty in walking
• Speech problems
• Vision problems and abnormal eye movements
• Feebleness on just one side of the body
• Increased intracranial pressure, which causes headaches, nausea, and vomiting
• Sluggish responses
• Confusion in everyday matters
• Hearing problems

How can a brain tumor be diagnosed?
The diagnostic tools include Computed tomography (CT or CAT scan), Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and Intraoperative MRI is also used during surgery to guide tissue biopsies and tumor removal. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) is used to examine the tumor’s chemical profile and find out the nature of the lesions seen on the MRI. Positron emission tomography helps in detecting recurring brain tumors.

What are the types of brain tumor
Primarily, brain tumors can either be benign or malignant:

Benign Brain Tumors
These tumors do not contain cancer cells, can be removed, and they seldom grow back. These tumors usually have a border or edge and their cells seldom invade tissues around them, so they are unable to spread to other parts of the body. Serious health problems can occur as the tumors can press on sensitive areas of the brain. Benign tumors are sometimes life-threatening and may become malignant.

Malignant brain tumors
These tumors contain cancer cells and are also called brain cancer. Malignant brain tumors are usually severe, more serious and always are a threat to life. They grow rapidly and invade the nearby healthy brain tissue. Cancer cells can break away from malignant brain tumors and spread to other parts of the brain or to the spinal cord, but they seldom spread to other organs of the body.