Brain cancer starts in the tissue of the brain. A mass of abnormal cells growing in the brain is a brain tumor. Primary brain tumors start in the brain. Metastatic brain tumors start in the body and travel to the brain. Lung, breast, colon and melanoma often spread to the brain.

Two types of brain tumors:

• Benign brain tumors are made up of slow growing cells, have distinct borders and seldom spread. A benign brain tumor may be considered life-threatening depending on the location in the brain.
• Malignant brain tumors are made up of cells that grow quickly, do not have distinct borders and are invasive. Malignant brain tumors are life-threatening and can spread throughout the brain and to the spinal cord by way of the cerebrospinal fluid.

Tumor grading

The World Health Organization (WHO) has developed a grading system to gauge the seriousness of the tumor.

• Grade I tumors - least malignant tumors that grow slowly and usually have the highest long-term survival rate.
• Grade II tumors - slightly abnormal cells that grow slowly and can invade surrounding normal tissue. Sometimes these tumors develop into a higher grade.
• Grade III tumors - malignant cells that rapidly reproduce abnormal cells and invade surrounding normal tissue. These tumors often develop into a higher grade.
• Grade IV tumors - malignant cells that rapidly reproduce abnormal cells and widely invade normal tissue. These tumors form new blood vessels to maintain their rapid growth.

Most tumors contain several types of cell grades. The highest grade or most malignant cells are determined when viewed under a microscope.

Signs and symptoms include:

• Headaches that come and go, generally worse in the morning
• Seizures
• Problems with memory, speech, concentration and confusion
• Changes in behavior, temperament and personality

Treatments for brain cancer include:

• Surgery
• Radiation therapy
• Chemotherapy

Surgery is most often the treatment of choice to remove the tumor combined with chemotherapy or radiation.

Information

For more information about the University of Florida Shands Cancer Center or to schedule a new patient appointment, please call (800) 749-7424 or (352) 265-8000.

Shands at UF Cancer Services were ranked 45th in the country by U.S.News&World Report.

Shands at UF Cancer Services Navigation

History

University of Florida Shands Cancer Center 2010 Annual Report (PDF file)

University of Florida Cancer Survivor Program

Types of Cancer

Brain Cancer

Breast Cancer

Colon Cancer

Gastrointestinal Cancers

Gynecological Cancer

Head and Neck Cancer

Larynx Cancer

Leukemia

Lung Cancer

Lymphoma

Myelodysplastic Syndromes

Oropharyngeal Cancer

Prostate Cancer

Skin Cancer

Urologic Cancers

Cancer Treatment

Bone Marrow Transplant

Brachytherapy

Chemotherapy

Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy

NanoKnife Procedure

Radiation Therapy

Stereotactic Radiosurgery

Surgery

Make an Appointment

To make a new patient appointment or find out more information about cancer services offered at Shands at the University of Florida, please call 352.265.0943 .

You may also email our Consultation Center (consult@shands.ufl.edu) or use our secure online form.