Attention, chocolate lovers: You may not be able to help yourselves. Swiss and British scientists have linked the widespread love of chocolate to a chemical "signature" that may be programmed into our metabolic systems.
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Brain Tumor
- Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
- Symptoms & Signs
- Diagnosis & Tests
- Prevention & Expectations
- Treatment & Monitoring
- Attribution
- View All
Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
Brain tumors are masses of cells that grow within the brain. Slow-growing cells may form a benign, or noncancerous, tumor. Abnormal cells that grow rapidly may form a cancerous tumor.
What is going on in the body?
The brain is tightly contained within the closed cavity of the skull. There is very little extra room within the bony skull cavity. A growing brain tumor can destroy brain cells directly. Or, it may put pressure on the nearby tissue and destroy cells. These effects can occur with either a benign or a cancerous tumor.
A brain tumor that starts within the brain is known as a primary brain tumor. Often, a brain tumor grows from cells that metastasize, or spread, from a cancer elsewhere in the body. Some of the cancers that often metastasize the brain are as follows:
What are the causes and risks of the condition?
The people most at risk for brain tumors include:
Many other risk factors have been reported to increase the risk of brain tumors. Research findings have been either unconvincing or conflicting. Additional factors that need further study include: