Brain Cancer

Brain cancer, or primary brain cancer, is a disease in which cancer cells arise in the brain tissue. Cancer cells grow in an unregulated manner to form a mass of cancer tissue called a tumour. Tumours can interfere with brain functions such as muscle control, sensation, memory, and other normal body functions. The functions affected will depend on the location of the tumour.

About this Cancer

Statistics

  • According to estimates for 2024:
  • Around 3,300 Canadians will be diagnosed with brain and spinal cord cancer, and 2,600 Canadians will die from it. Of these, 1,850 men are expected to be diagnosed, with 1,500 deaths, while 1,400 women will be diagnosed, with 1,100 deaths.

Source: Canadian Cancer Society.

Symptoms

Symptoms of brain cancer can include:

  • Headaches that worsen over time
  • Nausea/vomiting
  • Seizures, especially with no history of seizures
  • Vision, speech, or hearing difficulties
  • Personality/behavior changes
  • Memory challenges
  • Fatigue
  • Difficulty with balance
  • Confusion in daily matters

For more information, check out the Mayo Clinic.

Risk Factors

Risk factors for brain cancer include:

  • Age
  • Race
  • Exposure to ionizing radiation
  • Inherited conditions (ex: neurofibromatosis 1 and 2, tuberous sclerosis, Lynch syndrome etc.)

For more information, visit the Mayo Clinic.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis options for brain cancer include:

  • Medical history and physical exam
  • Imaging tests: MRI, CT and PET scans
  • Biopsy
    • Surgical (open) biopsy
    • Stereostatic (closed) biopsy
  • Lumbar puncture
  • Blood tests
  • Urinalysis
  • X-ray
  • Angiography
  • Myelogram

For more information, check out the Canadian Cancer Society.

Treatment

The primary treatment options for brain cancer include the following:

  • Surgery
  • Radiation therapy
  • Chemotherapy

For more information, check out the Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada.

Stories from Survivors

Resources

Brain Cancer Groups

Canada

Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada: “By providing support, education, information and research funding, Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada has been making a difference in the lives of the over 55,000 Canadians currently living with a brain tumour and thousands more before them. Since 1982, more than $10 million in direct funding to research has been raised.” Visit them at Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada.

“Neurological Health Charities Canada (NHCC) is a coalition of organizations that represent people with neurological diseases, disorders and injuries in Canada. NHCC provides leadership in evaluating and advancing new opportunities for collaboration specific to advocacy, education and research to improve the quality of life for people affected by neurological conditions.” Visit them at My Brain Matters.

Brain Canada Foundation: “Exploring the great unknown that is the brain cannot be done alone – it takes courageous partners, imagination and determination. At Brain Canada, we envision a future where scientists across disciplines collaborate to drive innovation. A future where early-career researchers have the resources to explore their boldest ideas. And where people across the country have access to solutions to mysteries like ALS, epilepsy, and brain injury.” Visit them at Brain Canada Foundation.

Brain Tumor Registry: “Our goal is to routinely provide comprehensive data on the incidence, prevalence, mortality and survival rates for all primary brain tumours (malignant and non-malignant) by important patient characteristics (tumour location, histology, sex, age, and region), to better understand the patterns of occurrence and survival.” Visit them at Brain Tumour Registry.