The brain tumor constitutes only 1% of the total cancer cases. It is one of the rare types of the cancers. Brain controls all the actions and functions performed by the body. The brain is the soft, spongy mass of tissues which is protected by the bones of the skull and meninges, three thin membranes. It is filled with a fluid called cerebrospinal fluid which flows through spaces between the meninges and ventricles, spaces within the brain.

Brain passes all the messages to the body through a network of nerves. Some of these nerves carry messages from the brain to other organs of the body such as eyes and ears directly. While some of them carries messages from the brain and passes it to rest of the body through the spinal cord. Brain is responsible for all the actions done by the body such as walking, talking, breathing, heart beating and many more. Our senses (smell, taste, hear, sight and touch); memory and emotions are also controlled by the brain. Brain is divided into three parts- cerebrum (topmost and the largest part of the brain), cerebellum (at the back of the brain) and brain stem (connects brain and spinal cord). Different type of activities are controlled by each part of the brain such as cerebrum controls our senses and helps in reading, talking and thinking, cerebellum controls all the complex actions like walking and brain stem controls hunger, body temperature, breathing and thirst. The cancer found in the tissues that make up the brain is known as brain tumor.

The brain tumor can be of two types- primary and secondary. Primary brain tumor is more common among children and is in the form of solid. In adults, it mainly occurs after the age of 55 years. The cancer that spreads from the other cancers such as lung and breast cancers in the nerves of brain is called secondary brain tumor and is common among adults. Brain tumor is of several types depending upon the nerves or cells infected. Most frequent type of brain tumors found are ependymoma, astrocytoma, neuroblastoma, germinoma, choroids plexus carcinoma, retinoblastoma, pinealoma and gaglioneuroma. There is a constant increase in the cases of brain tumor but without any specific reason why they are increasing.

The brain tumor symptoms vary greatly depending upon the size, location and rate of growth of the tumor. The most common symptom of brain tumor ever noticed is frequent headaches. It is severe at nights and in the early mornings. As the tumor increases, there is more pressure on the nerves of the brain which results in the swelling of the brain and fluid get concentrated in the skull. Other potential brain tumor symptoms are vomiting, nausea, double vision and loss of sensation in arms and legs. Difficulty in hearing, breathing and speaking are one of the major consequences of the brain tumor. Disability of brain in making routine decisions leading to confusion and tension can be the negative effects of the brain tumor. Changes in the personality, voice, mood, ability to concentrate and problems with memory are also some of the major brain tumor symptoms. Muscle weakness, incontinence, lack of menstruation in females, loss of control on one side of the body and persistent drowsiness are some additional brain tumor symptoms. Anyone experiencing any of the above mentioned brain tumor symptoms should see a doctor as soon as possible for better treatment.