A collection of abnormal cells in the brain is called Brain tumor. Your skull which encloses your brain is very rigid. Any growth inside such a restricted space can cause problems. Tumors can be malignant (cancerous) or benign (non-cancerous). Brain tumors can also happen near the brain tissues including nerves, the pituitary gland, and the membranes that cover the surface of the brain.

When these tumors grow they can cause the pressure inside your skull to increase which can cause life-threatening condition like brain damage. Primary brain tumors originate in the brain and many of these are benign. Secondary brain tumor are metastatic brain tumor occurs when cancer cells spread to your brain from another organ such as lung or breast.

Symptoms of brain tumors

• Headache
• Vomiting
• Blurred vision
• Confusion
• Seizures
• Weakness of a limb or part of the face
• Dizziness

Risk factors:

Hereditary - 5 to 10 percent of all cancers are genetically inherited, or hereditary. It's rare for a brain tumor to be hereditary. But still doctors need to test if any of the family members had a brain tumor.

Age - Many tumors increases with age.

Chemical exposure - Being exposed to certain chemicals that might found in workplaces.

Exposure to radiation - Exposure to ionizing radiation has an increased risk of brain tumors. You can be exposed to ionizing radiation through high-radiation cancer therapies.

Diagnosis:

Tumors can be diagnosed by these tests:

• CT scan of the head
• MRI if the head
• Angiography
• Skull x-rays
• Biopsy

Types of brain tumors:

There are over 100 types of brain tumors. They are mostly named after the type of cell they develop from. Here are few of them:

• Meningioma - Meningiomas are tumors that start in the membranes around the brain and spinal cord. Meningiomas are usually benign but sometimes they can be malignant.
• Pituitary Adenoma - Brain tumors can begin in and around the pituitary gland. This small gland is located near the base of the brain.
• Neurofibroma - Pituitary tumours can start in or around the pituitary gland. This little gland is situated not far from the brain's base. These types of tumors are benign.
• Glioma - Gliomas are growths of cells that look like glial cells. The glial cells surround and support nerve cells in the brain tissue.
• Nerve Tumors - Nerve tumors happen in and around nerves. Acoustic neuroma are the most common type of nerve tumor that occur in head.