Brain tumors can occur at any age. However, they most commonly occur in adults 40 to 70 years old, and children between the ages of three and 12 years. However, as with most all types of cancer, an early diagnosis improves the odds that treatment will be more effective. Patients usually develop symptoms that suggest the possibility of a brain tumor. Other tests, including angiograms and X-rays, may also be used in diagnosis.
Symptoms vary based on the location and size of the tumor, as well as the patient's age.
If you should experience any of these symptoms, see your primary-care physician, who can make an evaluation. Treatment for brain tumors is usually very complex and highly individualized. The standard treatments include surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. Prior to treatment of the tumor, patients may be given treatments to reduce swelling or prevent or control seizures. Individuals with fluid build-up in the brain, called hydrocephalus, may need to have a narrow tube, called a shunt, inserted in the ventricles to allow excess fluid to drain away from the brain.