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Primary brain tumors

Primary brain tumors originate in your brain. They can develop from your:

• brain cells
• the membranes that surround your brain, which are called meninges
• nerve cells
• glands

Primary tumors can be benign or cancerous. In adults, the most common types of brain tumors are gliomas and meningiomas.

Gliomas

Gliomas are tumors that develop from glial cells. These cells normally:

• support the structure of your central nervous system
• provide nutrition to your central nervous system
• clean cellular waste
• break down dead neurons

Gliomas can develop from different types of glial cells.

The types of tumors that begin in glial cells are:

• astrocytic tumors such as astrocytomas, which originate in the cerebrum
• oligodendroglial tumors, which are often found in the frontal temporal lobes
• glioblastomas, which originate in the supportive brain tissue and are the most aggressive type

Other primary brain tumors

Other primary brain tumors include:

• pituitary tumors, which are usually benign
• pineal gland tumors, which can be benign or malignant
• ependymomas, which are usually benign
• craniopharyngiomas, which occur mostly in children and are benign but can have clinical symptoms like changes in vision and premature puberty
• primary central nervous system (CNS) lymphomas, which are malignant
• primary germ cell tumors of the brain, which can be benign or malignant
• meningiomas, which originate in the meninges
• schwannomas, which originate in cells that produce the protective cover of your nerves (myelin sheath) called Schwann cells

Most meningiomas and schwannomas occur in people between the ages of 40 and 70. Meningiomas are more common in women than men. Schwannomas occur equally in both men and women. These tumors are usually benign, but they can cause complications because of their size and location. Cancerous meningiomas and schwannomas are rare but can be very aggressive.

Secondary brain tumors

Secondary brain tumors make up the majority of brain cancers. They start in one part of the body and spread, or metastasize, to the brain. The following can metastasize to the brain:

• lung cancer
• breast cancer
• kidney cancer
• skin cancer

Secondary brain tumors are always malignant. Benign tumors don’t spread from one part of your body to another.

Risk factors for brain tumors include:

Family history

Only about 5 to 10 percent of all cancers are genetically inherited, or hereditary. It’s rare for a brain tumor to be genetically inherited. Talk to your doctor if several people in your family have been diagnosed with a brain tumor. Your doctor can recommend a genetic counselor for you.

Age

Risk for most types of brain tumors increases with age.

Race

Brain tumors in general are more common among Caucasians. However, African-American people are more likely to get meningiomas.

Chemical exposure

Being exposed to certain chemicals, such as those you might find in a work environment, can increase your risk for brain cancer. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and HealthTrusted Source keeps a list of potential cancer-causing chemicals found in work places.

Exposure to radiation

People who have been exposed to ionizing radiation have an increased risk of brain tumors. You can be exposed to ionizing radiation through high-radiation cancer therapies. You can also be exposed to radiation from nuclear fallout. The nuclear power plant incidents in Fukushima and Chernobyl are examples of how people can be exposed to ionizing radiation.

No history of chicken pox

According tothe American Brain Tumor Association, people with a history of childhood chicken pox have a decreased risk of getting brain tumors.