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 include:
  • Headaches that worsen over time
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Seizures, especially with no history of seizures
  • Vision, speech, or hearing difficulties
  • Personality of behavior changes
  • Memory loss or cognitive decline
  • Weakness or paralysis
  • Trouble swallowing or eating
  • Vertigo
  • Difficulty with fine motor skills
  • Confusion in daily matters

For more information, check out Mayo Clinic, the American Cancer Society, or the Canadian Cancer Society.

Risk Factors

  • Risk factors for brain cancer include:
  • Smoking and second-hand smoke.
  • Exposure to radon gas (a naturally occurring gas that can accumulate in homes).
  • Asbestos exposure (shipyards, mines, construction, etc.).
  • Occupational exposure to chemicals (mining, construction, and manufacturing)
  • Exposure to carcinogens (arsenic, nickel, cadmium, and certain petroleum products)
  • Outdoor air pollution
  • Family history of lung cancer
  • Previous radiation therapy or exposure to radiation
  • Chronic lung diseases (such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or tuberculosis)

Check out the Canadian Cancer Society, Mayo Clinic, or the American Cancer Society for more information.

Diagnosis

  • Diagnosis options for brain cancer include:
  • Health history and physical exam
  • Brain MRI
  • Head CT scan
  • PET scan of the brain
  • Collecting a sample of tissue
  • Biopsy
  • Surgical (open) biopsy
  • Stereostatic (closed) biopsy
  • Lumbar puncture (or Spinal tap)
  • Blood tests
  • Urinalysis
  • X-ray
  • Angiography
  • Myelogram

For more information, check out the Canadian Cancer Society, Mayo Clinic, or Cleveland Clinic.

Treatment

  • Treatment options vary widely and include the following:
  • Craniotomy
  • Surgery to drain cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
  • Surgery to place an Ommaya reservoir
  • Laminectomy
  • En bloc resection
  • Stabilization of the spine
  • External radiation therapy
  • 3D-CRT
  • IMRT
  • and more
  • Regional chemotherapy
  • Localized chemotherapy

For more information, check out the Canadian Cancer Society, Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada, or Mayo Clinic,

Stories from Survivors

Resources

Brain Cancer Groups

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 https://www.braintumour.ca/

 

“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 https://mybrainmatters.ca/

“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 https://braincanada.ca/

“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 https://braintumourregistry.ca/