Health Indicator Report of Cancer of the Brain and Central Nervous System

The brain and spinal cord make up the central nervous system (CNS). Brain and spinal cord tumors can occur in both adults and children, and some are more common in children. There are many different types of brain and CNS tumors, including both benign (noncancerous) and malignant (cancerous) tumors, but the data presented here only include malignant tumors. The exact causes of brain and CNS tumors are not known. Possible causes include viruses, defective genes, exposure to certain chemicals and other hazardous materials, and immune system disorders. Brain tumors occur more often in males than females and are most common in middle to older age persons^1^. Symptoms can vary depending upon the tumor type, location, size, and how fast it grows. This can make it difficult to detect brain and CNS tumors.[[br]] [[br]] ---- 1. [https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/brain-and-spinal-cord-tumors]