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Brain tumors - primary

Description

An in-depth report on the causes, diagnosis, and treatment of brain tumors.

Alternative Names

Gliomas; Medulloblastoma

Prognosis

About 13,100 people die from cancerous brain tumors each year. Recent advances in surgical and radiation treatments have significantly extended average survival times and can reduce the size and progression of malignant gliomas. In general, survival rates are highest in younger people and lowest in the elderly.

Five Year Survival Rates by Age Group
Age	Survival Rates
0 - 19 years	63.1%
20 - 44 years	50.4%
45 - 64 years	14.2%
Over 65	4.9%
Data From: 2002 - 2003 Primary Brain Tumors in the United States Statistical Report. Fact Sheet (197 3- 1999 data). Brain Tumor Registry of the United States http://www.cbtrus.org/factsheet/factsheet.html .

In general, studies are reporting that patients who survive the first 2 years after a diagnosis of a brain tumor have at least a 70% chance of surviving for at least 5 years. The best recent progress has been made for:

• Medulloblastomas in both children and adults. Long-term survival rates are now about 60% in children after treatment for medulloblastomas, the most common malignant brain tumor in this age group. (New treatments, however, may significantly improve these rates.)
• Nonmalignant astrocytomas and oligodendrogliomas in adults.

Unfortunately, the majority of primary brain tumors, notably anaplastic astrocytomas and glioblastoma multiforme, are only rarely curable.

Specific Effects of Tumors on Function

The specific effects of tumors on the brain can cause seizures, mental changes, and mood, personality, and emotional changes. Such effects can be devastating to the patient and the caregivers. Numerous treatments are available that help alleviate these complications, and patients and family members should discuss these with their doctors.

• Review Date: 10/19/2006
• Reviewed By: Harvey Simon, M.D., Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Physician, Massachusetts General Hospital.

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