Brain Tumor: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Achuta Uppu, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor treats Brain Tumor?
A neuro-oncologist, a doctor who treats brain cancers, and a neurosurgeon, a doctor who operates on the brain, usually lead care. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What is Brain Tumor?
A primary brain tumor is a group of abnormal cells that start in the brain. Tumors can be noncancerous, called benign, or cancerous, called malignant. They can start from brain cells, the membranes around the brain, nerves, or glands. Tumors can occur at any age. In adults, the most common types are gliomas and meningiomas.
Tumors can destroy brain cells. They can also damage the brain by causing swelling, pressing on other parts of the brain, and raising the pressure inside the skull.
Symptoms
Some tumors cause no symptoms until they are very large. Symptoms depend on the tumor's size, location, how far it has spread, and whether there is brain swelling. The most common symptoms are:
- Headaches.
- Seizures, especially in older adults. A seizure is a burst of uncontrolled electrical activity in the brain. It can cause convulsions.
- Weakness in one part of the body.
- Changes in mental function.
Headaches from a brain tumor may be worse when you wake up in the morning. They may clear up in a few hours. Other symptoms can include nausea, vomiting, vision changes, personality or memory changes, trouble speaking or understanding speech, numbness or tingling on one side of the body, and loss of balance or coordination.
Causes and who gets it
The cause of primary brain tumors is unknown. Several risk factors could play a role:
- Radiation therapy used to treat brain cancers raises the risk of a brain tumor up to 20 or 30 years later.
- Some inherited conditions raise the risk. These include neurofibromatosis, Von Hippel-Lindau syndrome, Li-Fraumeni syndrome, and Turcot syndrome.
Exposure to radiation at work, head injuries, and smoking have not proven to be risk factors. Cancer that starts elsewhere in the body and spreads to the brain is a different problem, called a metastatic brain tumor, not a primary one.
How doctors diagnose it
Tests that may confirm a brain tumor and find its location include:
- MRI of the head, a scan that uses magnets to make detailed pictures.
- CT scan of the head, an X-ray test that takes detailed pictures.
- EEG, a test that measures the electrical activity of the brain.
- A test that examines tissue taken from the tumor during surgery or a biopsy. It can confirm the type of tumor. A biopsy removes a small sample of tissue.
- Examination of the cerebrospinal fluid, the fluid around the brain and spinal cord.
Treatment
Treatment can involve surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. Brain tumors are best treated by a team. The team includes a neuro-oncologist, a neurosurgeon, a medical oncologist, and a radiation oncologist. Early treatment often improves the chance of a good outcome. Treatment depends on the size and type of tumor and your general health.
Surgery is often needed for most primary brain tumors. Some tumors can be completely removed. Tumors deep inside the brain may be debulked instead, which means reduced in size. Tumors can be hard to remove completely. They spread into surrounding brain tissue like roots through soil. Radiation therapy is used for certain tumors. Chemotherapy may be used with surgery or radiation. Targeted therapies may be used for some tumors.
Other medicines may help. They include drugs to reduce brain swelling and pressure, anticonvulsants to reduce seizures, and pain medicines.
When to see a doctor
Contact your provider if you develop any new, persistent headaches or other symptoms of a brain tumor. Call 911 or go to the emergency room if you start having seizures, or if you suddenly develop reduced alertness, vision changes, or speech changes.
How a direct primary care or concierge doctor fits in
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. Either type can arrange the tests and specialist referrals you need, coordinate your follow-up visits, and help manage long-term care between your many doctors.
Common questions
Are all brain tumors cancer?
No. Some are benign, which means noncancerous. But even benign tumors can cause serious problems, because the skull has no room for extra growth. Malignant tumors are cancerous and can be aggressive.
Do cell phones cause brain tumors?
Research has not proven that. Exposure to radiation at work, or to power lines, cell phones, cordless phones, or wireless devices, has not proven to be a risk factor.
What are the most common types in adults?
Gliomas and meningiomas are the most common in adults. Glioblastomas are the most aggressive type of primary brain tumor. Meningiomas and schwannomas occur most often between ages 40 and 70 and are usually noncancerous.
Can a brain tumor be cured?
A cure is sometimes possible. Goals of treatment may be to cure the tumor, relieve symptoms, and improve brain function or comfort. Some tumors may be completely removed with surgery. A return of tumor growth is a known complication, so ongoing follow-up matters.
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Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
