Tumours

Tumours in the brain usually arise as a result of spread from tumours elsewhere in the body, such as the lung. Only one in eight tumours in the brain actually arise from the cells of the brain itself. Of these, those that arise from the meninges, called meningiomas, are usually benign, though their position may make them difficult to treat.

Tumours arising from the supporting cells - the glial cells - may be only slowly growing, or very aggressive. Depending on the cell type they are called astrocytomas, glioblastomas, ependymomas or medulloblastomas.The symptoms they produce depend on the site and the rate of growth. The brain itself is insensitive to pain, so there is no pain until the lining of the brain is stretched, when there is increasing headache which wakes the patient from sleep. As neurones are affected then there may be other symptoms such as weakness or seizures or difficulty with posture.

Tumours arising from the lining of nerve cells - called neurofibromas are benign, but can cause problems through compression of the nerves from which they arise. If this is the nerve to the ear, for example, there may be deafness, tinnitus and dizziness.

Tumours arising from nerve cells themselves - neuroblastomas - are malignant. Besides causing local symptoms such as pain or seizures, tumours can interfere with the drainage of the fluid that bathes the brain, producing the symptoms of increased pressure inside the skull, or raised intracranial pressure.
 
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