BRAIN CANCER
(The cure we're racing for.)

What is brain cancer?

Brain cancer is the growth of abnormal cells in the tissues of the brain. Brain tumors can be benign (not cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). Brain tumors include all tumors inside the cranium or in the central spinal canal. Brain tumors can be primary or secondary. A primary tumor is one that has started in the brain, as opposed to a secondary (metastatic) tumor, which is something that has spread to the brain from another part of the body.

The most common primary brain tumors are:
  • Gliomas (50.4%)
  • Meningiomas (20.8%)
  • Pituitary adenomas (15%)
  • Nerve sheath tumors (8%)



    Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common and aggressive malignant primary brain tumor in humans. It is also the type of brain tumor that Jenny has. Currently, the prognosis for anybody diagnosed with a glioblastoma is extremely poor, with a survival time of approximately 12-14 months. This diagnosis is almost invariably fatal.

Facts and Statistics

Brain tumors do not discriminate. Primary brain tumors - those that begin in the brain - occur in people of all ages, but are statistically more frequent in children and older adults. Metastatic brain tumors occur more frequently in adults. 

Brain tumors are the:
  • second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in children (male and female) under age 20
  • second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in males ages 20-39
  • fifth leading cause of cancer-related deaths in females ages 20-39
In 2013, an estimated 69,720 new cases of primary brain tumors are expected to be diagnosed. 24,620 of these will be malignant brain tumors. 

In 2013, approximately 4,300 children younger than age 20 will be diagnosed with primary brain tumors. 3,050 will be under age 15.

For every 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 221 are living with the diagnosis of a brain tumor. 



Adapted from www.abta.org/
Video from CNN.com