A brain metastasis is a
brain tumor that develops from an abnormal growth of malignant or cancerous cells. There are two basic groups of malignant growths: brain tumors that start in the brain tissue itself (primary brain tumors) and tumors that spread from another in the body (metastatic brain tumors). Metastatic brain tumors are described by their tissue of origin (lung, breast, kidney, etc.). Malignant primary brain tumors are described by their cell type and histology, appearance, both of which will determine the rate of growth of the tumor.
General types of brain tumors include: glioma, meningioma, adenoma and carcinoma. More than 40,000 Americans are diagnosed with a brain tumor each year. About half of these tumors are primary, half are metastatic.
Learn more about:
Brain Tumor Symptoms and Diagnosis
Brain Tumor Treatment