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What You Need To Know About™ Brain Tumors
    Posted: 04/29/2009




About This Booklet






The Brain






Tumor Grades and Types






Risk Factors






Symptoms






Diagnosis






Treatment






Second Opinion






Nutrition






Supportive Care






Rehabilitation






Follow-up Care






Sources of Support






Taking Part in Cancer Research






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About This Booklet

This National Cancer Institute (NCI) booklet (NIH Publication No. 09-1558) is about tumors* that begin in the brain (primary brain tumors). Each year in the United States, more than 35,000 people are told they have a tumor that started in the brain.

This booklet is only about primary brain tumors. Cancer that spreads to the brain from another part of the body is different from a primary brain tumor.

Lung cancer, breast cancer, kidney cancer, melanoma, and other types of cancer commonly spread to the brain. When this happens, the tumors are called metastatic brain tumors.

People with metastatic brain tumors have different treatment options. Treatment depends mainly on where the cancer started. Instead of this booklet, you may want to read the NCI factsheet Metastatic Cancer. The NCI Cancer Information Service at 1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237) can send you this fact sheet, as well as other information about metastatic brain tumors.

This booklet tells about diagnosis, treatment, and supportive care. Learning about medical care for brain tumors can help you take an active part in making choices about your care.

This booklet has lists of questions that you may want to ask your doctor. Many people find it helpful to take a list of questions to a doctor visit. To help remember what your doctor says, you can take notes or ask whether you may use a tape recorder. You may also want to have a family member or friend go with you when you talk with the doctor--to take notes, ask questions, or just listen.

For the latest information about brain tumors, please visit our Web site at http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/brain. Also, the NCI Cancer Information Service can answer your questions about brain tumors.We can also send you NCI booklets and fact sheets.Call 1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237) or instant message us through the LiveHelp service at http://www.cancer.gov/help.


*Words in italics are in the Dictionary. The Dictionary explains these terms. It also shows how to pronounce them.

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