A brain tumor is any tumor within the cranium (skull). In adults, primary brain tumors are normally located in the anterior two-thirds of the cerebral hemispheres. In children on the other hand, they are typically found in the posterior cranial fossa, which contains the cerebellum and brainstem. In studies in the United States, brain tumors have made up 1.4% of all cancers, and accounted for 2.4% of all cancer deaths.

Common brain tumor symptoms common include:

Severe headaches

Seizures

Nausea and vomiting

Vision problems

Hearing problems

Weakness in arms, legs and face

Sensations in head or hands

Cognitive and behavioral problems

Primary and secondary brain tumors, and even various types of brain tumors, may present differently.

Brain tumor prognosis varies depending upon many factors: age, the type of brain tumor, its location, treatment methods and their success, the patient's functional status, and other factors.

A benign glioma may have a better prognosis, and patients with benign gliomas may live for many years following diagnosis or the onset of the tumor. On the other hand, survival in patients with glioblastoma multiforme may be limited to a few months without proper and effective treatment.