Brain tumor

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A brain tumor is an abnormal growth of cells within the brain or inside the skull, which can be cancerous or non-cancerous (benign).

It is defined as any intracranial tumor created by abnormal and uncontrolled cell division, normally either in the brain itself (neurons, glial cells (astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, ependymal cells), lymphatic tissue, blood vessels), in the cranial nerves (myelin-producing Schwann cells), in the brain envelopes (meninges), skull, pituitary and pineal gland, or spread from cancers primarily located in other organs (metastatic tumors).

Primary (true) brain tumors are commonly located in the posterior cranial fossa in children and in the anterior two-thirds of the cerebral hemispheres in adults, although they can affect any part of the brain.

In the United States in the year 2005, it was estimated there were 43,800 new cases of brain tumors (Central Brain Tumor Registry of the United States, Primary Brain Tumors in the United States, Statistical Report, 2005–2006), which accounted for 1.4 percent of all cancers, 2.4 percent of all cancer deaths, and 20–25 percent of pediatric cancers. Ultimately, it is estimated there are 13,000 deaths per year in the United States alone as a result of brain tumors.

For more information about Brain tumor, read the full article at Wikipedia.
This text uses material from Wikipedia and is available under the GNU Free Documentation License.


News tagged with brain cancer

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Tumor-attacking virus strikes with 'one-two punch'

Medicine & Health / Cancer

created Dec 01, 2009 | popularity 5 / 5 (6) | comments 0

Ohio State University cancer researchers have developed a tumor-attacking virus that both kills brain-tumor cells and blocks the growth of new tumor blood vessels.


Discovery makes brain tumor cells more responsive to radiation

Medicine & Health / Cancer

created Dec 02, 2009 | popularity 5 / 5 (2) | comments 0

Duke University Medical Center researchers have figured out how stem cells in the malignant brain cancer glioma may be better able to resist radiation therapy. And using a drug to block a particular signaling pathway in these ...


Cancer metabolism discovery uncovers new role of IDH1 gene mutation in brain cancer

Medicine & Health / Cancer

created Nov 22, 2009 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Agios Pharmaceuticals today announced that its scientists have established, for the first time, that the mutated IDH1 gene has a novel enzyme activity consistent with a cancer-causing gene, or oncogene. This breakthrough ...


St. Jude and UF Proton Therapy Institute to begin proton therapy clinical trial

Medicine & Health / Cancer

created Nov 09, 2009 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and the University of Florida Proton Therapy Institute have formed a collaboration to provide proton therapy for St. Jude patients. The announcement follows the approval of the first ...





Search results for brain cancer


No change in brain tumor incidence during a time when cell phone usage increased

Medicine & Health / Cancer

created Dec 03, 2009 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

There was no substantial change in brain tumor incidence among adults 5 to 10 years after cell phone usage sharply increased, according to a new brief communication published online December 3 in the Journal of the National Ca ...


Funeral industry workers exposed to formaldehyde face higher risk of leukemia

Medicine & Health / Cancer

created Nov 20, 2009 | popularity not rated yet | comments 1

Long durations of exposure to formaldehyde used for embalming in the funeral industry were associated with an increased risk of death from myeloid leukemia, according to a new study published online November 20 in the Journal of ...


Study identifies new way to biopsy brain tumors in real time

Medicine & Health / Neuroscience

created Nov 11, 2009 | popularity 1 / 5 (1) | comments 0

A new miniature, hand-held microscope may allow more precise removal of brain tumors and an easier recognition of tumor locations during surgery.


New hope for diagnosis and treatment of intractable pediatric brain tumors

Medicine & Health / Cancer

created Dec 07, 2009 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Scientists have discovered oncogenes capable of driving growth of normal human brain stem cells in a highly malignant pediatric brain tumor. The research, published by Cell Press in the December issue of the journal Cancer Ce ...


Serotonin Made in Breast Cancer Cells, Researchers Show

Serotonin Made in Breast Cancer Cells, Researchers Show

Medicine & Health / Cancer

created Nov 24, 2009 | popularity 5 / 5 (3) | comments 0

(PhysOrg.com) -- Researchers at the University of Cincinnati have documented that the brain hormone serotonin is made in human breast cancer cells and functions abnormally, contributing to malignant growth.


World's first delivery of intra-arterial Avastin directly into brain tumor

Medicine & Health / Cancer

created Nov 17, 2009 | popularity 5 / 5 (2) | comments 0

Neurosurgeons from NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center performed the world's first intra-arterial cerebral infusion of Avastin (bevacizumab) directly into a patient's malignant brain tumor. This novel ...


Cut out the (estrogen) middleman

Medicine & Health / Neuroscience

created 5 hours ago | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Estrogen seems to act like a middleman in its positive effect on the brain, raising the possibility that future drugs may bypass the carcinogenic hormone altogether while reaping its benefits.


A coating for life: Biodegradable fibers advance stent technology and brain surgery, then disappear

A coating for life: Biodegradable fibers advance stent technology and brain surgery, then disappear

Biology / Biotechnology

created Nov 24, 2009 | popularity 4.8 / 5 (5) | comments 0

Stents that keep weakened and flabby arteries from collapsing have been true life-savers. But after six months, those stents are no longer needed -- once the arteries are strengthened, they become unnecessary. ...


Men leave: Separation and divorce far more common when the wife is the patient

Medicine & Health / Cancer

created Nov 10, 2009 | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 0

A woman is six times more likely to be separated or divorced soon after a diagnosis of cancer or multiple sclerosis than if a man in the relationship is the patient, according to a study that examined the role gender played ...


Videos can help cancer patients choose level of care they prefer

Medicine & Health / Cancer

created Dec 02, 2009 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Patients with terminal brain cancer who watched a brief video illustrating options for end-of-life care were significantly more likely to indicate a preference for comfort measures only than were patients who listened to ...



List of search results for brain cancer