A brain tumor is a mass or growth of abnormal cells in the brain or close to the brain.
Many different types of brain tumors exist. Some brain tumors are benign, and some brain tumors malignant. Brain tumors can begin in the brain (primary brain tumors), or cancer can begin in other parts of the body and spread to the brain (secondary, or metastatic, brain tumors).
How quickly a brain tumor grows can vary greatly. The growth rate as well as location of a brain tumor determines how it will affect the function of the nervous system.
Brain tumor treatment options depend on the type of brain tumor, as well as its size and location.