NINDS Brain and Spinal Tumors Information Page

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Brain and Spinal Tumors

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Related NINDS Publications

Brain and Spinal Tumors: Hope Through Research
Brain and spinal cord tumors information sheet compiled by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS).
Headache: Hope Through Research
Information about headaches, including migraines, compiled by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS).
Tumor-Tracking Missiles: Researchers Develop a Possible New Treatment Strategy for Deadly Brain Tumors
December 2002 news summary on a potential new treatment for glioma brain tumors.
Genetic Analysis of Childhood Brain Tumors Improves Diagnosis And Predicts Survival
March 2002 news summary on genetic analysis of childhood brain tumors.
Brain Tumor Progress Review Group
Information about the Brain Tumor Progress Review Group, a joint effort by NINDS and NCI to organize and prioritize a national agenda for brain tumor research

Synonym(s): Spinal Cord Tumors
Condensed from Brain and Spinal Tumors: Hope Through Research

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Table of Contents (click to jump to sections)
What are Brain and Spinal Tumors?
Is there any treatment?
What is the prognosis?
What research is being done?

Organizations
Additional resources from MEDLINEplus

What are Brain and Spinal Tumors?
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.

Is there any treatment?

The three most commonly used treatments are surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. Doctors also may prescribe steroids to reduce the swelling inside the CNS.

What is the prognosis?

Symptoms of brain and spinal cord tumors generally develop slowly and worsen over time unless they are treated. The tumor may be classified as benign or malignant and given a numbered score that reflects how malignant it is. This score can help doctors determine how to treat the tumor and predict the likely outcome, or prognosis, for the patient.

What research is being done?

Researchers are studying brachytherapy (small radioactive pellets implanted directly into the tumor) and advanced drugs and techniques for chemotherapy and radiation therapy. In gene therapy for brain and spinal cord tumors, scientists insert a gene to make the tumor cells sensitive to certain drugs, to program the cells to self-destruct, or to instruct the cells to manufacture substances to slow their growth. Scientists are also investigating why some genes become cancer-causing. Since tumors are more sensitive to heat than normal tissue, research scientists are testing hyperthermia as a treatment by placing special heat-producing antennae into the tumor region after surgery. In immunotherapy, scientists are looking for ways to duplicate or enhance the body's immune response to fight against brain and spinal cord cancer.

Select this link to view a list of studies currently seeking patients.

Organizations

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 3H Watertown, MA 02472-2500 info@tbts.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
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)	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)	National Headache Foundation 820 N. Orleans Suite 217 Chicago, IL 60610-3132 info@headaches.org http://www.headaches.org Tel: 312-274-2650 888-NHF-5552 (643-5552) Fax: 312-640-9049
American Council for Headache Education 19 Mantua Road Mt. Royal, NJ 08061 achehq@talley.com http://www.achenet.org Tel: 856-423-0258 800-255-ACHE (255-2243) Fax: 856-423-0082	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

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Last updated May 09, 2008