BRAIN TUMOR FACTS

•   In the year 2000, primary brain tumor survivors in the US numbered almost 360,000. Of that group, 267,000 survived a benign tumor. A “benign” brain tumor can be life-threatening because of its location or behavior. (CBTRUS)

•   Brain tumors are the leading cause of solid tumor cancer death in children under the age of 20, now surpassing acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). They are the second leading cause of cancer death in male adults ages 20-29 and the fifth leading cause of cancer death in female adults ages 20-39. (SEER)

•   Metastatic brain tumors, cancer that spreads from other parts of the body to the brain, are the most common types of brain tumors. They occur in 10-15% of people with cancer. Primary brain tumors generally do not metastasize to other parts of the body.

•   There are over 126 different types of brain tumors, which make effective treatment complicated. They can be malignant or non-malignant (benign), and in either case, can be just as injurious or life threatening. At present, the standard treatments for brain tumors include surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. These may be used either individually or in combination.

•  Only two new treatments for brain tumors have been approved in the past 25 years.

•  Benign brain tumors, however, may, and often do, impose the same costs to society in terms of medical care, case fatality and lost productivity as malignant tumors. A histologically benign tumor may produce devastating effects based on its location, while a malignant tumor may not produce visible symptoms. In addition, as molecular markers have been discovered, it has become clear that certain benign brain tumors may become malignant over time. (CBTRUS)

•   Brain tumors in children are different from those in adults, and consequently, are treated differently. As many as 69% of children will survive, but they are often left with long-term side effects.

•   There are currently no known causes of brain tumors, however, epidemiological studies are ongoing. Complete and accurate data on all primary brain tumors is needed to provide the foundation for investigations of its causes and research leading to improved diagnosis and treatment.

•   Brain tumors have no socio-economic boundaries and do not discriminate among gender or ethnicity.

•   At this time, brain tumor research is under funded and the public remains unaware of the magnitude of this disease. The cure rate for most brain tumors is significantly lower than that for many other types of cancer.

 

A GUIDE TO BRAIN ANATOMY