Risk Factors for Brain Tumors
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A risk factor is something that increases your chances of getting a disease or condition.
It is possible to develop brain tumors with or without the risk factors listed below. However, the more risk factors you have, the greater your likelihood of developing brain tumors. If you have a number of risk factors, ask your doctor what you can do to reduce your risk.
There are few known risk factors for brain tumors, mostly because little is known about the causes. Some metastatic cancers that move to the brain from lung , breast , skin (melanoma ), and a few other sites have identifiable risk factors.
Environmental Exposures
- Ionizing radiation
-
Possibly environmental and/or industrial toxins
- Oil refining
- Rubber manufacturing
Age
Older individuals (who are at greater risk for cancer overall) get more metastatic brain tumors, which start somewhere else in the body and then spread to the brain. Brain tumors in children are one of the most common kinds of pediatric cancers.
Genetic Factors
Several uncommon hereditary diseases can predispose a person to brain tumors.
- Von Hippel-Lindau syndrome
- Li-Fraumeni syndrome
- Werner's syndrome
- Von Recklinghausen's disease
- Tuberous sclerosis
- Turcot syndrome
Lifestyle Factors Related to Secondary Brain Tumor
References:
Harrison TR, Fauci AS. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. 14th ed. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill; 1998.
Goetz CG, Pappert EJ. Textbook of Clinical Neurology . Philadelphia, PA: WB Saunders; 1999.
Last reviewed February 2009 by Rimas Lukas, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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