Brain tumor may be benign or malignant. Benign brain tumors do not contain cancer cells. The usual benign tumors can be removed, and they seldom grow back. On the border or edge of the benign brain tumor can be clearly seen. Cells from benign tumors do not invade tissues around them or spread to other parts of the body. However, benign tumors can press on sensitive areas of the brain and cause serious health problems. With benign tumors in most other parts of the body, benign brain tumors are sometimes life-threatening. Very rare cases of benign brain tumor may become malignant.
Malignant brain tumors contain cancer cells are generally more serious and often life-threatening. Malignant brain tumors can grow rapidly and crowd or invade the surrounding healthy brain tissue. Very rarely, cancer cells detach from May malignant brain tumor and spread to other parts of the brain to the spinal cord, and even to other parts of the body. The spread of cancer is metastasis.
Sometimes, a malignant tumor does not extend to healthy tissues. The tumor may be contained within the layers of tissue. Or the skull bones or other structures in the head may restrict it. This type of tumor is encapsulated.
