Brain Cancer

Brain cancer is a condition in which cells in the brain begin to grow in an uncontrolled way, forming a mass called a tumor. These tumors can either start in the brain itself or spread to the brain from cancer that began somewhere else in the body.

It’s worth knowing that about two-thirds of all brain tumors are benign, meaning they are not cancerous in the traditional sense. But even a benign tumor can still affect your health — because the brain is enclosed within the skull, any growth that puts pressure on surrounding tissue can cause serious symptoms and needs to be carefully monitored or treated.

Whether a tumor is benign or malignant, the most important thing is getting an accurate diagnosis and connecting with a team that can guide your care. That’s exactly what we’re here for

Brain tumors are generally grouped into two main categories:

Primary Brain Tumors

These are tumors that originate in the brain itself. They can develop from different types of brain cells, which is why they go by several names:

• Gliomas — the most common type of primary brain tumor, arising from the glial cells that support and protect neurons
• Astrocytomas — a type of glioma that grows from star-shaped cells called astrocytes; these can range widely in aggressiveness
• Glioblastoma (GBM) — a Grade 4 astrocytoma and the most aggressive form of primary brain cancer; it grows quickly and requires prompt, intensive treatment

Secondary (Metastatic) Brain Tumors

These are tumors that started elsewhere in the body — most often in the lungs, breast, colon, kidneys, or skin — and then spread to the brain through the bloodstream. Metastatic brain tumors are actually more common than primary brain tumors, and their treatment is closely connected to managing the original cancer site as well.

At El Portal Comprehensive Cancer Centers, our team has experience caring for patients with both primary and metastatic brain tumors, and we coordinate closely to make sure every aspect of your diagnosis is addressed.