Brain Cancer
A brain cancer is any growth of abnormal cells or uncontrolled proliferation of cells in the brain. Primary brain cancer involves any such growth that originates in the brain, rather than spreading to the brain from another part of the body. In adults, most tumors in the brain have spread there from other parts of the body. When this happens, the disease is not brain cancer. This tumor in the brain is a secondary tumor.
A primary brain cancer should have prompt treatment. Early treatment improves the chance of a good outcome for brain cancer. Brain cancer treatment varies with the size and type of the brain cancer and the general health of the person. The goals of treatment may be cure of the disorder, relief of symptoms and improvement of function or comfort.
Surgery is indicated for most primary brain cancer. Some may be completely excised (removed). Brain cancer that is deep or infiltrates brain tissue may be debulked (removal of much of the mass of the tumor to reduce its size) rather than removed.
Learn more about brain cancer at the Comprehensive Cancer Center of Wake Forest University. As a national leader in cancer care & research and ranked among the best treatment facilities in the country, it is one of only 38 cancer centers in the nation designated by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) as a Comprehensive Cancer Center. NCI designation is an assurance of excellent care and comprehensive treatment options, including access to the latest clinical trials.
Brain Cancer information courtesy of the National Cancer Institute
Copyright: Wake Forest University School of Medicine
and North Carolina Baptist Hospital. All rights reserved.
Medical Center Boulevard
Winston-Salem, NC 27157
(336) 716-2011