Brain Tumor Facts

Brain tumor is not a term we necessarily want to hear about. However, knowing a few basic facts about this complex condition can help us in the event that we are affected by it in any way.

• Brain tumors can be either cancerous (malignant) or non-cancerous (benign)

• Tumors that start out in the brain are called primary brain tumors. It is estimated that over 35,000 people a year are diagnosed with this type of brain tumor in the United States.

• Tumors that spread to the brain from another part of the body are called metastatic brain tumors. These are more common than the primary type brain tumors.

• Brain tumors are the second most common cause of cancer related deaths in children.

• Some of the more common risk factors are a family history of brain tumors, radiation exposure and age.

• We often hear in news about studies linking cell phone usage with brain tumors. There is currently ongoing research on the risks involved. As of now, there is no conclusive scientific evidence to support giving up our cell phones.

• If either you or a loved one is affected by a brain tumor, there are many good resources for more information and support such as the American Brain Tumor Association.

We at Regional Brain and Spine encourage learning the most you can about the medical care available to you and to be an active participant in researching your treatment options. We work together with oncology to provide you with the optimal solutions and enable you to make informed decisions. In addition to specializing in neurosurgery, we also provide physical rehabilitation and pain management as part of a customized treatment plan. We have three locations in Missouri. You can find us in Cape Girardeau, Perryville and Sikeston.