What is brain and spinal cord tumor?

What is brain and spinal cord tumor?

A childhood brain or spinal cord tumor is a disease in which abnormal cells form in the tissues of the brain or spinal cord. The brain controls many important body functions. The spinal cord connects the brain with nerves in most parts of the body. Brain and spinal cord tumors are a common type of childhood cancer.

What causes brain and spinal cord tumors?

Brain and spinal cord tumors, like other tumors, are caused by changes in the DNA inside cells. DNA is the chemical that makes up our genes, which control how our cells function. We usually look like our parents because they are the source of our DNA.

What is a tumor of the spinal cord called?

A spinal cord tumor, also called an intradural tumor, is a spinal tumor that that begins within the spinal cord or the covering of the spinal cord (dura). A tumor that affects the bones of the spine (vertebrae) is called a vertebral tumor.

What is brain tumor called?

A brain tumor, known as an intracranial tumor, is an abnormal mass of tissue in which cells grow and multiply uncontrollably, seemingly unchecked by the mechanisms that control normal cells.

What is a tumor?

An abnormal mass of tissue that forms when cells grow and divide more than they should or do not die when they should. Tumors may be benign (not cancer) or malignant (cancer). Benign tumors may grow large but do not spread into, or invade, nearby tissues or other parts of the body.

What connects the brain and the spinal cord?

At the base of the brain, the brain stem connects to the spinal cord and is made up of the midbrain, pons, and medulla oblongata.

Are spinal tumors cancerous?

Spinal tumors can be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). Primary tumors originate in the spine or spinal cord, and metastatic or secondary tumors result from cancer spreading from another site to the spine. Spinal tumors are referred to in two ways. By the region of the spine in which they occur.

What are the types of spinal cord tumors?

The most common types include the following.

  • Ependymoma. An ependymoma is the most common type of spinal cord tumor.
  • Astrocytoma.
  • Hemangioblastoma.
  • Lipoma.
  • Meningioma.
  • Neurofibroma.
  • Schwannoma.
  • Myxopapillary Ependymoma.

What are the 4 types of brain tumor?

Typically Benign Brain Tumors

  • Meningioma. Meningioma is the most common primary brain tumor, accounting for more than 30% of all brain tumors.
  • Pituitary Adenoma.
  • Craniopharyngioma.
  • Schwannoma.
  • Nasopharyngeal Angiofibroma.
  • Choroid Plexus Tumor.
  • Dysembryoplastic Neuroepithelial Tumor.
  • Neurofibroma.

What causes tumor?

In general, tumors occur when cells divide and grow excessively in the body. Normally, the body controls cell growth and division. New cells are created to replace older ones or to perform new functions. Cells that are damaged or no longer needed die to make room for healthy replacements.

What is the worst type of brain tumor?

In a child, the worst brain tumor to have is the fatal diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma. The odds of young patients living longer than five years after diagnosis are far worse than in adults with GBM. GBM. Source: Hellerhoff

What is the prognosis for spinal cord tumors?

The prognosis will depend upon the location of the tumor on the spinal cord, the type of tumor and the size of the tumor at the time of diagnosis. Early diagnosis and treatment are vital to restoring function and preventing permanent damage to the spinal cord.

What tissue makes up the brain and spinal cord?

The spinal cord is a long, thin, tubular structure made up of nervous tissue, that extends from the medulla oblongata in the brainstem to the lumbar region of the vertebral column. It encloses the central canal of the spinal cord that contains cerebrospinal fluid. The brain and spinal cord together make up the central nervous system (CNS).

What is the most common adult brain tumor?

The most common types of adult brain tumors are gliomas as in astrocytic tumors. These tumors form from astrocytes and other types of glial cells, which are cells that help keep nerves healthy. The second most common type of adult brain tumors are meningeal tumors.

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