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Brain Tumors
Reviewed by Medicinsk Expert•Last updated: 2026-10-22•Cancers

Brain Tumors

A brain tumor is an abnormal growth of cells in the brain that can be either benign or malignant, originating either in the brain itself or spreading from elsewhere in the body.

Overview

A brain tumor is a growth of abnormal cells in the tissues of the brain. These growths can be benign, containing no cancer cells, or malignant, containing cancer cells that grow quickly. Some are primary brain tumors, which start in the brain, while others are metastatic, meaning they start somewhere else in the body and move to the brain.

Symptoms

Brain tumors can cause a variety of symptoms, including:

  • Headaches, often in the morning
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Changes in your ability to talk, hear, or see
  • Problems with balance or walking
  • Problems with thinking or memory
  • Feeling weak or sleepy
  • Changes in your mood or behavior
  • Seizures

Diagnosis and Treatment

Doctors diagnose brain tumors by performing a neurologic exam and utilizing tests including an MRI, CT scan, and biopsy.

Treatment options include:

  • Watchful waiting
  • Surgery
  • Radiation therapy
  • Chemotherapy
  • Targeted therapy, which uses drugs or other substances that attack cancer cells with less harm to normal cells

Many people receive a combination of these treatments.

Frequently Asked Questions

Most brain tumors are not hereditary and occur without a clear cause. However, a small percentage are linked to inherited genetic syndromes like neurofibromatosis, Li-Fraumeni syndrome, or tuberous sclerosis. Environmental risk factors are largely unconfirmed, though high-dose radiation exposure to the head is a known risk. For most individuals, there are no specific preventable risk factors.
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience a sudden worsening of symptoms, such as a new or severe seizure, sudden loss of consciousness, acute weakness or paralysis, severe confusion, sudden vision loss, or a sudden, excruciating headache unlike any you've had before. These could indicate complications like swelling, bleeding, or rapid tumor growth.
Brain tumor headaches often have specific characteristics, such as being worse in the morning, waking you from sleep, or being accompanied by nausea, vomiting, vision changes, or neurological symptoms like weakness or balance problems. If you experience new, persistent, or worsening headaches, especially with other neurological changes, it's important to consult a doctor for evaluation.
Recovery varies greatly depending on the tumor type, location, and treatments received. It can involve rehabilitation for motor skills, speech, or cognitive function. Many people experience fatigue, mood changes, or memory issues. Long-term follow-up with imaging and neurological exams is crucial to monitor for recurrence or treatment side effects, and support groups can be very helpful.
Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine

MedlinePlus brings together authoritative health information from the National Library of Medicine (NLM), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other government agencies and health-related organizations.

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