|
Neuro-Oncology University of Washington Medical Center |
||
| Back to Table of Contents |
About Brain Tumors
Primary brain tumors are those tumors (abnormal growth of cells) which arise from the brain and brain structures. These are not tumors which have spread, metastasized, to the brain from other parts of the body nor do primary brain tumors metastasize to other parts of the body. In the United States, primary intracranial tumors, tumors occurring within the cranial vault, occur in about 15,000 individuals per year, a rate of 3.7 per 100,000 population. About 50% of these tumors are gliomas. Metastatic brain tumors are tumors that have spread to the brain from a cancer (the primary lesion) somewhere else in the body. Diagnosis and treatment of these lesions must include assessment of the primary lesion and metastases which may be found elsewhere in the body (lungs, liver, etc.).
|