Benign brain tumors, although slowly growing and lacking the ability to spread to to other parts of the body, do pose a real danger. The skull, unlike any other body cavity, does not have the ability to expand.
Therefore, when benign brain tumors and the swelling that they cause occupy some of the space in the skull, the brain, cerebellum, brainstem, cranial nerves, or vascular structures are compressed, causing debilitating symptoms. Removing benign brain lesions can also prove to be difficult since these tumors are invariably surrounded by vital, sensitive structures.
“Benign” brain tumors can be devastating when these structures are injured, leaving people with chronic problems such as headaches, dizziness, visual disturbances, weakness, and paralysis. Although benign brain tumors do not metastasize, they can be very “malignant” when these side effects occur.
Even so, with current technological and therapeutic advances, benign brain tumor treatments are becoming safe and more effective, offering much hope to patients. Accepted standard treatments for brain tumors include surgery, radiosurgery, radiation, and chemotherapy.
This article has been contributed by:
Shabbar F. Danish, M.D.
Division of Neurosurgery,Robert Wood Johnson Medical School (RWJMS),New Brunswick, NJ