Brain tumours - A to Z
This page links to content about brain tumours.
Brain tumours affect around 8,000 people each year in the UK and there are many different types. It is important not to confuse cancers that start in the brain (primary brain tumours) with cancers that spread to the brain from elsewhere in the body.
Brain tumours can develop at any age but are most common in people aged between 50 and 70. Brain and spinal cord tumours can also develop in children. Though rare, they are more likely to affect young children than teenagers and young adults.
We do not know what causes most brain tumours. Ionising radiation and some inherited conditions are the only established causes, but these risk factors do not account for most cases. A weakened immune system can increase the risk of developing a lymphoma in the brain.
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Related categories
Brain tumours is a sub-category of Brain and CNS tumours and Children's cancers
Browse content about Brain tumours
Latest Brain tumours news from Cancer Research UK
- News story: Studies shine light on genetics of childhood brain tumours
30 January 2012 - Press Release: Cancer Research UK launches nine high-tech gene projects
18 November 2011 - News story: 'No link' between using mobile phones and brain tumours
20 October 2011 - Press Release: Cancer Research UK launches trial to treat brain cancer which has returned
7 September 2011 - News story: Gene faults linked to common type of brain tumour
5 August 2011 - News story: Contact allergies 'may be associated with reduced risk of some cancers'
12 July 2011 - Press Release: Cancer Research UK and immatics biotechnologies launch trial for brain cancer
19 October 2010 - News story: Gene could be important drug target for children's brain tumour
19 May 2010 - News story: New guidelines may speed up child brain tumour diagnosis
13 April 2010 - Press Release: Seve Ballesteros looks to beat brain cancer as his charitable foundation comes to the UK
16 December 2009
- News story: Brain scans could diagnose and monitor glioma brain tumours
11 January 2012 - Press Release: 'Glow in the dark' brains aid tumour surgery
1 November 2011 - News story: Virus discovery may aid treatment of children's brain tumour
26 September 2011 - News story: Scientists divide ependymoma brain tumours into two types
25 August 2011 - Press Release: Genetic link to rare brain tumour discovered
31 July 2011 - Press Release: Deaths from cancer in children fall by almost 60 per cent since the '60s
12 November 2010 - Press Release: Relatives of young breast cancer patients could face increased risks of other cancers
29 September 2010 - Press Release: Seve calls for golfers to support his 'Seve Summer' to help beat brain cancer
27 April 2010 - Press Release: Cancer Research UK and immatics Biotechnologies to trial vaccine for brain cancer
16 February 2010 - News story: Mobile phone use 'not linked to brain tumours'
4 December 2009
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