There are numerous types of brain tumours and they all behave differently and so require different combinations of treatment. Following is a brief account of the more commonly encountered tumours and our current thoughts on treatment.
Basic definitions.
What is a tumour?
Tumour – abnormal growth of cells. The word tumour is not synonymous with cancer.
What does Benign mean?
Benign – slow growing tumour that usually does not infiltrate and spread and so can be controlled well.
What does Malignant mean?
Malignant – rapidly growing, aggressive tumour that does infiltrate and spread and so is difficult to control.
What’s the difference between primary and secondary tumours?
Primary Tumour – A tumour that arises from the tissue of the affected organ.
Secondary (Metastatic) Tumour – A tumour that has arisen from a distant site and spread to the affected organ.