Causes of Brain Tumors

Brain tumor causes mostly are associated with a genetic mutation resulting in uncontrolled cell growth. Metastatic cancers spread to the brain from other body parts through the blood stream and lymphatic system.

At Houston Methodist Hospital we offer patients world-class, personalized treatment of brain and pituitary tumors. Our approach to healing takes advantage of recent advances in medical science, such as using a variety of new technologies to study each tumor and optimizing treatment for each individual based on the genetic profile of the patient and/or their tumor. We are committed to creating a compassionate environment for our patients. Many of our doctors are active researchers and educators, tackling big issues in brain, spine and pituitary cancers, and training the next generation of specialists in these areas.

 

In classifying brain tumors, the first distinction is whether the tumor originated in the brain or started in another area of the body and spread to the brain.

Primary brain tumors, such as glioblastomas and anaplastic astrocytomas, are among the types of tumor that originate in the brain. Secondary, or metastatic, brain tumors originate in other parts of the body and spread to the brain.

Primary Brain Tumors