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Contents Quick Facts Information About Brain Tumors – Tumor Types – Symptoms – Treatment and Prognosis Get Involved – Volunteer – Donate About Us – Mission – Contact

Quick Facts

Currently there are over 600,000 people in the US living with a primary brain tumor.* Each year approximately 210,000 people in the United States will be diagnosed with a primary or metastatic brain tumor. That's over 575 people a day. Brain tumors are the leading cause of cancer death in children under age 20 now surpassing acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), and are the third leading cause of cancer death in young adults ages ** Brain tumor patients, including those with certain "benign" brain tumors, have poorer survival rates than breast cancer patients. Metastatic brain tumors (cancer that spreads from other parts of the body to the brain) occur at some point in 20 to 40% of persons with cancer and are the most common type of brain tumor.*** * CBTRUS (2008). Statistical Report: Primary Brain Tumors in the United States, Published by the Central Brain Tumor Registry of the United States. **CA A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, 2007, Cancer Statistics, 2007, Volume 57, Number 1, January/February 2007 ***Soffietti R, Ruda R, Mutani R. Management of Brain Metastases. October Vol. 249, No. 10. Journal of Neurology. Steinkopff. Pages

Information About Brain Tumors

Anatomy of the Brain The brain is a highly specialized organ. It serves as the control center for functions of the body and allows us to cope with our environment. Words, actions, thoughts, and feelings are centered in the brain. It is so complex that some theorists believe we will never be able to fully understand it. We do, however, know that each part of the brain has a specific, important function, often a profoundly important function, and each part contributes to the healthy functioning of our body. The location of tumors in the brain is one of the factors that determines how a brain tumor affects an individual's functioning and what symptoms the tumor causes.

Anatomy of the Brain Cerebrum is the largest part of the brain and is associated with conscious thought, movement and sensation. It consists of two halves, each controlling the opposite side of the body. The halves are connected by the corpus callosum, which delivers messages between them. Four lobes make up the cerebrum: the frontal, temporal, parietal, and occipital lobes. – Frontal Lobe is one of the four lobes of the cerebral hemisphere. It controls attention, behavior, abstract thinking, problem solving, creative thought, emotion, intellect, initiative, judgment, coordinated movements, muscle movements, smell, physical reactions, and personality. – Parietal Lobe is one of the four lobes of the cerebral hemisphere. It controls tactile sensation, response to internal stimuli, sensory comprehension, some language, reading, and some visual functions. Sensory cortex is located in the front part of the parietal lobe, or in other words, the middle area of the brain. The sensory cortex receives information from the spinal cord about the sense of touch, pressure, pain, and the perception of the position of body parts and their movements. Motor cortex is an area located in the middle, top part of the brain that helps control movement in various parts of the body. – Temporal lobe is one of the four lobes of the cerebral hemisphere of the cerebral hemisphere. It controls auditory and visual memories, language, some hearing and speech, language, plus some behavior. Wernicke's Area is part of the temporal lobe that surrounds the auditory cortex and is thought to be essential for understanding and formulating speech. Damage in Wernicke's area causes deficits in understanding spoken language. – Occipital Lobe is one of the four lobes of the cerebral hemisphere. It is located in the back of the head and controls vision. Broca's Area is located in the opercular and triangular sections of the inferior frontal gyrus. The function of this area is the understanding of language, speech, and the control of facial neurons. Brain Stem is located at the bottom of the brain and connects the cerebrum to the spinal cord. The brain stem controls many vitally important functions including motor and sensory pathways, cardiac and respiratory functions, and reflexes.

Anatomy of the Brain Cerebellum is located at the lower back of the head and is connected to the brain stem. It is the second largest structure of the brain and is made up of two hemispheres. The cerebellum controls complex motor functions such as walking, balance, posture, and general motor coordination. Cerebrospinal Fluid, also called CSF, is a clear substance that circulates through the brain and spinal cord. It provides nutrients and serves to cushion the brain and therefore protect it from injury. As this fluid gets absorbed, more is produced from the choroid plexus, a structure located in the ventricles. A brain tumor can cause a build-up or blockage of CSF. Four Ventricles of the brain are connected cavities within the brain, where cerebrospinal fluid is produced. Hypothalamus is a region of the brain in partnership with the pituitary gland that controls the hormonal processes of the body as well as temperature, mood, hunger, and thirst. Optic Chiasm is located beneath the hypothalamus and is where the optic nerve crosses over to the opposite side of the brain. Pineal Gland controls the response to light and dark. The exact role of the pineal gland is not certain. Pituitary Gland is a small, bean-sized organ that is located at the base of the brain and is connected to the hypothalamus by a stalk. The pituitary gland secretes many essential hormones for growth and sexual maturation. Meninges are the membrane covering the brain and spinal cord. A tumor arising from this tissue is called a meningioma. Thalamus is located near the center of the brain and controls input and output to and from the brain, as well as the sensation of pain and attention.

Tumor Types There are more than 120 types of brain tumors WHO classifies tumors based on least aggressive (benign) to most aggressive (malignant) Malignant tumors are assigned a grade – Grade I (least malignant) to Grade IV (most malignant)

Symptoms  Because brain tumors are located at the control center for thought, emotion and movement, their effects on an individual's physical and cognitive abilities can be devastating. Symptoms of a brain tumor can include headaches (headaches that wake you up in the morning), seizures in a person who does not have a history of seizures, cognitive or personality changes, eye weakness, nausea or vomiting, speech disturbances, or memory loss. While these are the most common symptoms of a brain tumor, they can also indicate other medical problems.

Treatment and Prognosis At present, brain tumors are treated by surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy, used either individually or in combination. Thirty percent of brain tumor patients survive five years following the diagnosis of a primary malignant brain tumor.* Brain tumors in children are different from those in adults and are often treated differently. Although as many as 74 percent of children with brain tumors will survive, they are often left with long-term side effects.** * CBTRUS (2010) Statistical Report: Primary Brain Tumor and Central Nervous System Tumors Diagnosed in the United States, Published by the Central Brain Tumor Registry of the U.S. ** CA A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, 2007, Cancer Statistics, 2007, Volume 57, Number 1, January/February 2007

Get Involved

Volunteer Giving your time, energy, and talent is a way to act on your commitment to improving the lives of those affected by brain tumors. You, along with other volunteers across the country, play an integral role in fulfilling the mission of the National Brain Tumor Society. Offer support and share your experiences with others through our Patient and Caregiver Peer Support Network.Patient and Caregiver Peer Support Network Unite with others. Brain Tumor Walks, Rides, and Races around the country welcome concerned volunteers who will help on event day or join the committee promoting the event.Brain Tumor Walks, Rides, and Races Organize your own event to raise funds for NBTS and promote brain tumor awareness. Organize your own event Visit for more informationwww.braintumor.org

Donate Hope has two sides. Your gift will allow the National Brain Tumor Society to advance research for a cure and to provide much-needed programs and services to meet the needs of patients and families coping with a brain tumor today. Thank you for your generosity and for supporting the two sides of hope – you can count on NBTS to use your donation wisely. Below are several ways for you to give. NBTS is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization and your gift is tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowable by law: – Online donations can be made at – Phone donations can be made by calling – Mail donations to: National Brain Tumor Society East Coast Office 124 Watertown Street, Suite 2D Watertown, MA 02472

About Us

Our Mission National Brain Tumor Society (NBTS) is a leader in the brain tumor community, bringing together the best of research and patient services to be a comprehensive resource for patients, families, caregivers, researchers, and medical professionals. We have a national presence, with offices on both coasts and activities and influence around the United States. We invest wisely and strategically across the research spectrum, seeking new therapeutic targets and improving existing treatments, which will ultimately lead to a cure. Our staff and advisory team encourage research that connects directly to patient care and enhances quality of life for all brain tumor patients. National Brain Tumor Society offers top-notch resources and caring support for everyone affected by brain tumors. We provide education and information to help patients, families, and caregivers make informed decisions and develop strong support systems during every stage of the journey.

Contact Us National Brain Tumor Society East Coast Office 124 Watertown Street, Suite 2D Watertown, MA Phone: West Coast Office 22 Battery Street, Suite 612 San Francisco, CA Phone: Patient Services Toll-free Brain Tumor Walk