Brain Tumours

Over 1400* Australians are diagnosed with brain cancer each year.

Brain tumours consist of cells growing and reproducing in an uncontrolled fashion. A benign brain tumour occurs when abnormal cells form a distinct boundary from the surrounding normal brain and are usually not as harmful as malignant brain tumours. A malignant brain tumour is harmful because it consists of cancerous cells growing into the brain tissue lying next to it, so that it may no longer function normally. The life threatening nature of a malignant brain tumour depends on both the type of cancerous cells that comprise the tumour and the exact location of the tumour in the brain.

Since the brain is contained within a rigid skull, a tumour growing in the brain will eventually cause pressure and subsequent damage on the adjacent normal brain. The symptoms depend on the size and location of tumour, as well as the mass effect caused by the growing tumour. Symptoms may include headaches, nausea and vomiting, seizures, weakness, and confusion or difficulty concentrating. Since these symptoms may be caused by other medical conditions and a brain tumour cannot be seen or felt during a routine medical examination, your doctor may order an imaging examination. The most commonly used tests to detect brain tumours are the CT (or CAT) and MRI scans.

* Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, Cancer in Australia: an overview, 2008. (accessed 16 June 2009)