Brain Tumor Facts

~Each year in the U.S. more than 200,000 people are diagnosed with either a primary or metastatic brain tumor. Primary brain tumors are ones that develop in the brain, and comprise over 40,000 of these diagnoses. Metastatic brain tumors, cancer that spreads from other parts of the body to the brain, are the most common types of brain tumors. They occur in 10-15% of people with cancer. Primary brain tumors generally do not metastasize to other parts of the body.

~There are over 120 different types of brain tumors, which makes effective treatment complicated. They can be malignant or non-malignant (benign), and in either case, can be just as injurious or life-threatening. At present, the standard treatments for brain tumors include surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. These may be used either individually or in combination.

~Currently, there is no known causes or cures for brain tumors.

~Brain tumors are the leading cause of solid tumor cancer death in children under the age of 20.

~Brain tumors are the second leading cause of cancer deaths in young adults ages 20 to 39.

~"Benign" brain tumors may be just as debilitating as those that are malignant. Benign brain tumors may recur and may result in death.

~Because of their location at the control center for thought, emotion and physical function, brain tumors are difficult to treat, and often severely compromise the quality of life.

~The cure rate for most brain tumors is significantly lower than that for most other types of cancer.

~Only two new treatments for brain tumors have been approved in the past 25 years.