Patient Education: Diseases Conditions Treatments & Procedures

Brain tumour

Introduction

A brain tumour is an abnormal mass of tissue in which some cells grow and multiply uncontrollably, apparently unregulated by the mechanisms that control normal cells. The growth of a tumor takes up space within the skull and interferes with normal brain activity. A tumour can cause damage by increasing pressure in the brain, by shifting the brain or pushing against the skull, and by invading and damaging nerves and healthy brain tissue. The location of a brain tumour influences the type of symptoms that occur. This is because different functions are controlled by different parts of the brain.

Brain tumours rarely metastasize (spread) to other parts of the body outside of the central nervous system (CNS). The CNS includes the brain and spinal cord.