Neurological Cancer

Neurological Cancer Explained

Brain and neurologic cancers are often referred to as brain tumors. The two types of brain tumors are primary and secondary; primary tumors form in the brain, while secondary brain tumors form in another part of the body and spread, or metastasize, to the brain.

Neurological Cancer Treatment Options

Brain cancer treatment is individualized, meaning each patient has a very different care plan. Neurologic or brain cancer treatment depends on the type and grade of the brain tumor, as well as the patient's medical history and overall health.

Common brain cancer treatment strategies include chemotherapy, radiation and/or surgery. Brain tumors can often be treated using CyberKnife technology.

The Different Types of Neurological Cancers

Brain tumors are often classified by grade, or the way the cancer cells appear microscopically. Low-grade tumors develop slowly, and the cells appear more normally; high-grade tumors grow quicker and appear less normal than low-grade tumors. Brain tumors are also classified by the type of cells, or the part of the brain, in which they originate. The three most common types of brain tumors in adults are:

• Astrocytoma
• Meningioma
• Oligodendroglioma