Overview:
Brain and spinal cord tumors are masses of abnormal cells in the brain or spinal cord that have grown out of control. Although brain tumors rarely spread to other parts of the body, most of them can spread through the brain tissue. The main concerns with brain and spinal cord tumors are how readily they spread through the rest of the brain or spinal cord and whether they can be removed and not come back. Signs and symptoms of adult brain and spinal cord tumors can include headache, nausea, vomiting, blurry vision, balance problems, seizures, and drowsiness. Headaches that tend to get worse over time are a common symptom of brain tumors, occurring in about half of patients.
Who treats brain and spinal cord tumors?
Neurologists, radiation oncologists, medical oncologists, and endocrinologists.
Treatment options:
- Surgery
- Radiation therapy
- Proton therapy
- Chemotherapy
- Laser interstitial thermal therapy
- Targeted therapies
To learn more about brain and spinal tumors, click here.
Source: The MD Anderson Center, The University of Texas
