Brain Tumor 

     A tumor is an abnormal overgrowth of cells of a single type.  Tumors within the brain can occur due to overgrowth of a cell native to the brain (primary brain tumor) or cells that spread to the brain from somewhere else (metastatic brain tumor).

     The presenting symptoms of brain tumors include progressive headache, nausea and vomiting, weakness or numbness on one side of the body or seizures.  Diagnosis of brain tumors is typically by CT or MRI scan of the brain.

     The treatment of brain tumors varies by the type of tumor.  Certain tumor types are managed by chemotherapy, especially if they are metastatic tumors.  More commonly, however, brain tumors are managed by radiation therapy.  Surgery may be indicated depending on the nature or location of the tumor.