Brain and spinal cord tumors are abnormal growths of tissue found inside the skull or the bony spinal column, which are the primary components of the central nervous system (CNS). Benign tumors are noncancerous, and malignant tumors are cancerous. The CNS is housed within rigid, bony quarters (i.e., the skull and spinal column), so any abnormal growth, whether benign or malignant, can place pressure on sensitive tissues and impair function. Tumors that originate in the brain or spinal cord are called primary tumors. Most primary tumors are caused by out-of-control growth among cells that surround and support neurons. In a small number of individuals, primary tumors may result from specific genetic disease (e.g., neurofibromatosis, tuberous sclerosis) or from exposure to radiation or cancer-causing chemicals. The cause of most primary tumors remains a mystery. They are not contagious and, at this time, not preventable. Symptoms of brain tumors include headaches, seizures, nausea and vomiting, vision or hearing problems, behavioral and cognitive problems, motor problems, and balance problems. Spinal cord tumor symptoms include pain, sensory changes, and motor problems. The first test to diagnose brain and spinal column tumors is a neurological examination. Special imaging techniques (computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging, positron emission tomography) are also employed. Laboratory tests include the EEG and the spinal tap. A biopsy, a surgical procedure in which a sample of tissue is taken from a suspected tumor, helps doctors diagnose the type of tumor.
The three most commonly used treatments are surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. Doctors also may prescribe steroids to reduce
the swelling inside the CNS.
National Cancer Institute (NCI) National Institutes of Health, DHHS 6116 Executive Boulevard, Ste. 3036A, MSC 8322 Bethesda, MD 20892-8322 cancergovstaff@mail.nih.gov http://cancer.gov Tel: 800-4-CANCER (422-6237) 800-332-8615 (TTY) |
American Brain Tumor Association (ABTA) 2720 River Road Suite 146 Des Plaines, IL 60018-4117 info@abta.org http://www.abta.org Tel: 847-827-9910 800-886-2282 Fax: 847-827-9918 |
Brain Tumor Society 124 Watertown Street Suite 2D Watertown, MA 02472-2500 info@braintumor.org http://www.tbts.org Tel: 617-924-9997 800-770-TBTS (8287) Fax: 617-924-9998 |
Childhood Brain Tumor Foundation 20312 Watkins Meadow Drive Germantown, MD 20876 cbtf@childhoodbraintumor.org http://www.childhoodbraintumor.org Tel: 877-217-4166 301-515-2900 |
Children's Brain Tumor Foundation 274 Madison Avenue Suite 1004 New York, NY 10016 info@cbtf.org http://www.cbtf.org Tel: 212-448-9494 866-CBT-HOPE (228-4673) Fax: 212-448-1022 |
Katie's Kids for the Cure/
National Fund for Pediatric Brain Tumor Research 3741 Walnut Street Box 612 Philadelphia, PA 19104 info@katieskids.org http://www.katieskids.org Tel: 877-KTS-KIDS (587-5437) 610-831-9026 Fax: 215-689-1454 |
National Brain Tumor Foundation (NBTF) 22 Battery Street Suite 612 San Francisco, CA 94111-5520 nbtf@braintumor.org http://www.braintumor.org Tel: 415-834-9970 800-934-CURE (2873) Fax: 415-834-9980 |
Musella Foundation for Brain Tumor Research
and Information 1100 Peninsula Blvd. Hewlett, NY 11557 musella@virtualtrials.com http://www.virtualtrials.com Tel: 516-295-4740 888-295-4740 Fax: 516-295-2870 |
American Cancer Society National Home Office 250 Williams Street, NW Atlanta, GA 30303-1002 http://www.cancer.org Tel: 800-ACS-2345 (227-2345) |
International RadioSurgery Association 3002 N. Second Street Harrisburg, PA 17110 office1@irsa.org http://www.irsa.org Tel: 717-260-9808 Fax: 717-260-9809 |
Cushing's Support and Research Foundation 65 East India Row Suite 22B Boston, MA 02110-3389 cushinfo@csrf.net http://csrf.net Tel: 617-723-3674 Fax: same as phone |
Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation 302 Ridgefield Court Asheville, NC 28806 familysupport@pbtfus.org http://www.pbtfus.org Tel: 828-665-6891 800-253-6530 Fax: 828-665-6894 |
Pituitary Network Association P.O. Box 1958 Thousand Oaks, CA 91358 rnr@pituitary.org http://www.pituitary.org Tel: 805-499-9973 Fax: 805-480-0633 |
Preuss Foundation, Inc.
[For Brain Tumor Research] 2223 Avenida de la Playa Suite 220 La Jolla, CA 92037 fari@preuss.org Tel: 858-454-0200 Fax: 858-454-4449 |
Prepared by:
Office of Communications and Public Liaison
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
National Institutes of Health
Bethesda, MD 20892
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Last updated April 24, 2009