Brain Tumor Causes: Can They Be Explained?

For a brain tumor patient, knowing the cause of his condition can go a long way in helping him understand and come to terms with his condition. For researchers, specialists and doctors, knowing the causes can help in the search for effective treatments and possibly even a cure. What does current research have to tell us about the causes of brain tumors?

Primary and Secondary

Before looking into the possible causes of brain tumors, it is important to first take a look at the categories of brain tumors. Brain tumors are either secondary or primary. Secondary tumors are those that begin when cancer cells from another part of the body metastasize or spread to the brain. Cancer cells that originate from the breast, lungs, skin, kidney and colon are more likely to spread to the brain than cancer cells from other body parts or organs. This therefore explains the causes behind secondary brain tumors. Primary brain tumor causes are a little harder to explain.

Primary Causes

Brain tumors develop when the genes that regulate cell growth suddenly malfunction or become abnormal. If these genes are not fully functional, cells in the brain may begin to grow and divide at a fast and uncontrolled rate. It is the exact cause or triggers of these mutations that cannot be determined at present.

Studies have shown though that several factors make some people more prone to brain tumors than others. These are what are known as risk factors. It is important to note though that these factors are not absolute determiners. Some people who have some risk factors do not always develop brain tumor and vice versa. Here are some possible brain tumor risk factors:

• Men are more commonly afflicted with brain tumor than women. There are also more cases of brain tumors among white-skinned people.

• People who are 65 years old or more have higher chances of developing brain tumor than younger people. Among children however, those below eight years old are at higher risk than older kids.

• Certain genetic disorders, inherited conditions and some diseases increase a person’s risk of brain tumor. Some of these conditions are: retinoblastoma, tuberous sclerosis, neurofibromatosis, pituitary adenoma, von Hippel-Landau disease and Li-Fraumeni syndrome.

• It is generally suspected that frequent radiation exposure among those working in high radiation environments may put a person at risk of brain tumor development.

• Aside from radiation, exposure to certain chemicals is also commonly seen as a possible cancer risk factor. Some possibly harmful chemicals include vinyl chloride, formaldehyde and acrylonitrile. People in work environments with these chemicals may be at risk although further studies are necessary to strengthen the link between brain tumors and chemicals.

Controversy

In recent years, there has been some controversy over cellphone and aspartame (artificial sweetener) use as possible cancer risk factors. At present, no research generated data points to the fact that cellphones and aspartame really do cause brain tumors. There is perhaps a need to conduct more in-depth and comprehensive studies on these possible risk factors.