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Gray Ribbon · Awareness month: May

Brain Cancer

A brain cancer diagnosis can bring a lot of questions, often all at once. What does this mean? What caused it? What happens next? This guide explains what brain cancer is, its symptoms and risk factors, how it is diagnosed and treated — and how research is helping us find better answers.

Understand brain cancerNFCR research on brain cancer
New U.S. cases expected (2026)
24,740
Share of new cancer diagnoses
~1%
Diagnosed in adults
9 in 10
Prevention, early detection & screening

Know the risks. Recognize the signs.

Understand risk factors, possible warning signs and when to seek medical advice.

Explore prevention & detection For patients & caregivers

Find guidance for the journey ahead.

Explore information and resources to help you and your loved ones navigate cancer.

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Take the next step, one at a time

Understand your diagnosis, explore what comes next and prepare accordingly.

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About

What Brain Cancer Is

At NFCR, we believe understanding cancer is an important part of fighting it.

The brain controls many of the functions that make us who we are — from movement and speech to memory, vision, emotions and the processes that keep our bodies working. A brain tumor occurs when abnormal cells grow uncontrollably in the brain or nearby structures.

Not every brain tumor is cancerous. Some are benign, meaning they do not invade nearby tissue or spread to other parts of the body. Malignant tumors are cancerous and can grow into surrounding tissue. Tumors can also be primary — beginning in the brain or surrounding structures — or metastatic, beginning elsewhere in the body and spreading to the brain. This distinction matters because different tumors may require very different approaches to treatment.

“Brain cancer” is not one diagnosis. It is a broad group of diseases — each with its own challenges. The type, location, grade and molecular characteristics of a tumor can all affect its behavior, treatment options and outlook.
Plain-language glossary

Two people, one word — very different diagnoses

Types of Brain Tumors

Two people may both be told they have a “brain tumor” but have completely different diagnoses, treatment plans and outlooks. Finding out exactly what type of tumor is present is one of the first important steps toward deciding what comes next.

  • Gliomas

    Benign or malignant

    Tumors that develop from glial cells, which support nerve cells in the brain.

  • Glioblastoma (GBM)

    Malignant

    An aggressive type of malignant brain tumor that can be particularly difficult to treat.

  • Meningiomas

    Many are benign

    Tumors that develop from the protective membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. Many are benign.

  • Schwannomas

    Often benign

    Tumors that develop from cells supporting nerves. Vestibular schwannoma, sometimes called acoustic neuroma, is one example.

  • Other tumors

    Varies by type

    Tumors can also develop in structures such as the pituitary gland and other areas of the central nervous system.

Doctors also look at the grade and molecular characteristics of a tumor. These details can help determine how quickly it may grow and which treatments may be appropriate.

Behind every number is a person

By the numbers

Statistics help us understand the scale of brain cancer, but they can never tell the whole story of an individual patient. Outlook varies significantly by tumor type — and for many tumor types it has steadily improved as research advances.

  • 24,740People expected to be diagnosed this year — each one a reason research matters
  • 18,350Deaths expected from brain and spinal cord cancers
  • ~1%Of new cancers diagnosed in the U.S.
  • 9 in 10Tumors are diagnosed in adults
  • 61 yearsAverage age at diagnosis
  • <1%The lifetime risk of developing a malignant brain or spinal cord tumor

U.S. estimates for 2026 · brain & spinal cord cancers combined · Source: American Cancer Society

What a tumor can cause

Signs & Symptoms

Symptoms often depend on where the tumor is located, how large it is and how quickly it is growing. They may develop gradually or, in some cases, appear suddenly. A tumor’s location influences the symptoms it causes — one affecting areas involved in movement may cause weakness, while one affecting language-related areas may affect speech or understanding.

  • Head & Senses

    Persistent or worsening headaches · nausea or vomiting · blurred or double vision · hearing or other sensory changes

  • Movement & Speech

    Seizures · problems with balance or coordination · weakness or numbness · difficulty speaking or understanding language

  • Thinking & Mood

    Memory or concentration problems · changes in personality, mood or behavior · unusual drowsiness or fatigue

Having one or more of these symptoms does not mean you have brain cancer — many have other, much more common causes. But if symptoms are new, persistent or getting worse, they should be evaluated by a healthcare professional. The goal isn’t to assume the worst — it’s to understand what’s causing the change and get the right care if it’s needed.

What is known, and what is not

Causes & Risk Factors

For most people with a brain tumor, there is no clear explanation for why it developed — and no established way to prevent most of them. Some factors are associated with increased risk:

  • Radiation exposure

    Exposure to high doses of ionizing radiation, particularly radiation directed toward the head, can increase the risk of certain brain tumors.

  • Inherited genetic conditions

    A small number of brain tumors are associated with inherited conditions such as neurofibromatosis, tuberous sclerosis, Von Hippel-Lindau, Li-Fraumeni, Turcot, Cowden and Gorlin syndromes.

  • A weakened immune system

    Certain conditions that weaken the immune system can increase the risk of specific brain tumors, including primary central nervous system lymphoma.

  • What about cell phones?

    The possible relationship between cell phone use and brain tumors has been studied extensively. Current evidence has not established a clear causal relationship, although research continues.

Most people who develop a brain tumor did not cause it through something they did or failed to do. For most tumors, we still don’t know exactly why they develop — that uncertainty is one of the reasons continued research is so important.

How brain cancer is found — step by step

Diagnosis

If symptoms or other findings raise concern about a brain tumor, doctors use a combination of examinations, imaging and laboratory tests to understand what is happening. There is currently no widely recommended routine screening test for brain tumors in people without symptoms. Most are found after symptoms lead to further evaluation. The more doctors understand about a tumor, the better they can tailor treatment to the person who has it.

  1. Neurological examination

    Tests vision, hearing, balance, coordination, strength, reflexes and other brain functions.

  2. CT scan

    Uses X-rays to create images of the brain and can help identify abnormalities.

  3. MRI

    Provides detailed images of the brain and is commonly used to identify and evaluate brain tumors.

  4. Biopsy

    A sample of tumor tissue may be examined under a microscope to determine what type of tumor is present.

  5. Molecular testing

    Tests tumor cells for specific genetic or molecular changes that can help guide treatment.

Why diagnosis can take time. Finding a mass is only part of the process. Doctors also need to understand what the tumor is, how aggressive it may be and what characteristics it carries.

No single treatment works for every tumor

Treatment

Treatment depends on the tumor’s type, size, location, grade and molecular characteristics — and on a person’s overall health and goals. Often, more than one treatment is used, guided by a multidisciplinary team.

Treatment depends onType of tumorSize and locationGradeMolecular characteristicsWhether the tumor has spreadOverall healthIndividual treatment goals

  • Surgery

    When possible, removes some or all of a tumor — as much as possible while protecting healthy brain tissue and preserving important neurological functions.

  • Radiation therapy

    High-energy beams damage tumor cells — after surgery, instead of surgery in certain situations, or when a tumor returns.

  • Chemotherapy

    Medicines destroy or slow the growth of cancer cells; the drugs used depend on the specific tumor.

  • Targeted therapy

    Some tumors contain specific molecular changes that can be targeted with specialized medicines, identified through molecular testing.

  • Tumor Treating Fields

    Low-intensity electrical fields delivered through a device worn on the scalp interfere with cancer cell growth.

  • Clinical trials

    Tests new treatments and approaches — for some patients, it provides access to therapies still being studied while helping researchers learn what works better.

Treatment is personal. Brain tumors can occur near areas responsible for movement, speech, memory and vision — so treatment often balances controlling the tumor with preserving quality of life and neurological function.

You don’t need to understand everything at once

What Happens After Diagnosis?

Hearing that you or someone you love has a brain tumor can be overwhelming. There is no single “right” way to respond. Take it one step at a time. Ask questions. Lean on your care team and the people around you.

Brain Cancer — A few steps can help

A few steps can help

  • Learn the specific type of tumor.
  • Ask what the tumor’s grade and molecular characteristics mean.
  • Understand the recommended treatment options.
  • Ask about the potential benefits and side effects of each treatment.
  • Ask whether a clinical trial may be appropriate.
  • Consider bringing a trusted family member or friend to appointments.
  • Give yourself time to process the information and ask questions.

NFCR · redesign.nfcr.org

Researchers in a lab examining a sample
NFCR research on brain cancerFounding member · GBM AGILE

The Future of Brain Cancer Research

Despite advances in diagnosis and treatment, many brain tumors remain difficult to treat. Researchers are still working to understand why some tumors grow aggressively, why others return after treatment and why some patients respond to a treatment while others do not. These are difficult questions. But every answer begins with research.

What NFCR Is Doing

As a founding member of GBM AGILE, an adaptive clinical-trial platform for glioblastoma, NFCR helps evaluate multiple therapies in parallel so effective options can be identified more efficiently.

Trial sites worldwide
40+
Patients enrolled
2,000+
Therapies tested in parallel
Multiple
Learn about GBM AGILEMeet Dr. Rakesh K. Jain – NFCR-supported GBM researcher

The scientists working on this cancer

NFCR-supported researchers are working to uncover new insights into brain cancer and develop better ways to prevent, detect and treat it. Explore the scientists and the research helping move the field forward.

Rakesh K. Jain, Ph.D.

Massachusetts General Hospital & Harvard Medical School

Improving CAR-T cell immunotherapy for GBM by taming the tumor microenvironment.

View his research

Paul Fisher, M.Ph., Ph.D.

Virginia Commonwealth University

Develops gene and immune-based strategies to attack brain tumors.

View his research

Webster K. Cavenee, Ph.D.

Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research

Pioneer of glioblastoma genetics — how GBM arises, resists and can be targeted.

View his research

Cesare Spadoni, Ph.D.

University of London

Accelerating better treatments for childhood cancers, including pediatric brain tumors.

View his research

W. K. Alfred Yung, M.D.

University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center

Neuro-oncologist advancing targeted therapies for glioma patients.

View his research

Research makes cures possible

Every new discovery has the potential to change what we know about cancer — how it begins, how it spreads, how it can be detected, and how it can be treated.

Your support helps fund scientists working across cancer types to turn promising discoveries into life-saving options for patients.

Prefer to speak with someone? Call us to donate — 1-800-321-CURE.

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