Brain Tumors

A brain tumor occurs when cells grow uncontrollably in the brain. A tumor is an abnormal growth of cells. Normally, cells divide in a regulated manner. If cells keep dividing when new cells are not needed, a mass of tissue forms; this is called a tumor. There are two types of tumors: benign and malignant. Benign tumors stay in one place, grow to a certain size, and then (as a general rule) stop. Malignant tumors do not stop growing, and pieces of them travel to other parts of the body, where they also continue to grow. Malignant tumors, called cancers, are nearly all fatal if not treated. Currently, with treatment, about half of all cancers are being cured.