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Malignant growth

Condition Overview:

"Malignant" is another word for "cancerous." A tumor that has the ability to grow back or spread to other parts of the body is generally considered malignant.

Malignant tumors are life-threatening, invade surrounding normal brain tissue, and usually grow rapidly. These tumors generally do not have distinct borders and may spread to other areas in the brain or spine. A brain tumor may be malignant if it invades surrounding tissue, if it is in a critical area of the brain, or if it is life-threatening. The term malignant can also describe a benign tumor that behaves aggressively, or a benign tumor that is life-threatening because of its location. Primary malignant brain tumors include: glioblastomas, most of the astrocytomas, and some oligodendrogliomas and ependymomas. All metastatic brain tumors are malignant but are considered secondary brain tumors as they have ‘seeded' from other areas of the body.

Brain tumors are usually caused by a change in genetic structure. This change in genetic structure may be inherited, caused by the environment, or both. Only a low percentage (5%) of primary brain tumors are associated with inherited genes alone. However, a study by Bondy et al. (1994) showed that 80% of patients with glioblastoma multiforme had more than one copy of chromosome seven.

Mutated or missing genes result in abnormal cells. If abnormal cells have malignant potential, they will form a tumor when they multiply. High-dose ionizing radiation, used to treat brain tumors, may on rare occasions be associated with the production of secondary brain tumors. This most often occurs from radiation treatments that are given over time. People exposed to certain chemicals, such as petrochemicals, pesticides and formaldehyde, appear to be at higher risk of developing a malignant brain tumor than those who are not exposed. In laboratory experiments, some viruses caused brain tumors in animals. It is unknown whether viruses can cause brain tumors in humans. Electromagnetic fields have been under study for some time as there appears to be a connection to brain tumors. There are many environmental and genetic factors that can cause brain tumors. However, in most cases, we just don't know what causes a brain tumor.