Facts about Brain Cancer
Brain tumors are the leading cause of solid tumor cancer death in children
under the age of 20. 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.
An estimated 44,865 new cases of primary brain tumors are expected to be
diagnosed this year. An additional 100,000 cancer patients per year will
develop brain tumors as a result of metastasis from other forms of cancer.
Metastatic brain tumors, cancer that spreads from other parts of the body
to the brain, are the most common types of brain tumors. As many as 15%
of cancer patients will develop brain tumors as a result of metastasis.
There are over 120 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 treatments may be used either
individually or in combination. Steroids may be used to reduce
inflammation and control brain swelling.
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. The survival rate
for brain tumors is significantly lower than that for many other types of cancer
so the need for public awareness and research dollars is real and urgent.