There are several different types of brain tumours, categorized on the basis of the area of origin and the nature of the cells. These are:

• Primary brain tumours - These are tumours that originate from the brain cells and tissues. These can affect any part of the brain and do not generally have a known cause.
• Secondary brain tumours - Also referred to as metastatic brain tumours, these are a result of the metastasis of cancer cells to the brain from some other part of the body.
• Malignant brain tumours - These refer to the tumours that are made up of cancerous cells. These are usually aggressive and progress over time.
• Benign brain tumours - These are non-cancerous tumours that grow at a very slow pace and usually stop growing after a certain point

Patients with brain tumours can experience a variety of different symptoms. The most common of these include:

• Severe and chronic headaches
• Fatigue and weakness
• Speech and vision-related problems
• Problems with hearing
• Weakness in limbs
• Loss of coordination
• Impaired balance and movement
• Unexplained seizures or fits
• Nausea and drowsiness
• Sudden behavioural changes

Brain tumours are a result of certain mutations in the brain cells that affect their ability to grow and multiply at a normal pace. These cells tend to spread rapidly in an uncontrollable manner, eventually resulting in the formation of a lump known as a tumour. Although the underlying cause of these genetic changes is not known, several factors are known to play a role in it. These include:

• Inherited genetic abnormalities
• Family history of brain tumours
• Exposure to harmful radiation
• Exposure to chemicals and toxins
• Being overweight or obese