Facts about Brain Cancer
* Brain tumors are the leading cause of solid tumor cancer death in children under the age of 20. They are the second leading cause of cancer death in male adults ages 20-29 and the fifth leading cause of cancer death in female adults ages 20-39.
* This year more than 200,000 people in the US will be diagnosed with a primary or metastatic brain tumor.
* Metastatic brain tumors, cancer that spreads from other parts of the body to the brain, are the most common types of brain tumors. As many as 15% of cancer patients will develop brain tumors as a result of metastasis.
* There are over 120 different types of brain tumors, which make effective treatment complicated. Tumors whether malignant or non-malignant (benign), can be as injurious or life threatening.
* At present, the standard treatments for brain tumors include surgery,
radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. These treatments may be used either individually or in combination. Steroids may be used to reduce inflammation and control brain swelling.
* There are currently no known causes of brain tumors, however, epidemiological studies are ongoing. Complete and accurate data on all
primary brain tumors is needed to provide the foundation for investigations of its causes and research leading to improved diagnosis and treatment.
* Brain tumors have no socio-economic boundaries and do not discriminate among gender or ethnicity.
* At this time, brain tumor research is under-funded. The survival rate for brain tumors is significantly lower than that for many other types of cancer so the need for public awareness and research dollars is real and urgent.
