A brain tumour forms when cells grow and divide in an uncontrollable way. When this occurs, the tumour takes up space within the skull and can interfere with the brain’s normal activity. A tumour may cause damage by increasing pressure in the brain, by shifting the brain and causing it to push against the skull, and/or by invading and damaging nerve and healthy brain tissue. The location of the tumour influences the types of symptoms that occur because different parts of the brain control different functions.
What are the causes?
For most brain and spinal cord tumours the causes are unknown. However, the following are risk factors for malignant brain tumours:
- Prior radiation to the head
- Genetic predisposition e.g., neurofibromatosis (a disease which causes nerve tissue to grow tumours)
More information
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About Brain Cancer |
Diagnosis & Symptoms |
Treating Brain Cancer |
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Living With Brain Cancer |
Risk & Prevention |
Brain Cancer Research |
