A Primer of Brain Tumors

The ABTA booklet, the Brain Tumor Primer, is presented here as individual chapters in PDF format. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader, version 5.0 or higher to view. Acrobat is available free at http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html.

Parts of the Brain (Chapter 1) These diagrams and descriptions of each part of the brain will help you understand a little more about this fascinating organ. (632KB PDF)

• Brain Tumor Basics (Chapter 2) Benign or malignant, primary or metastatic, grading or staging? Learn the meaning of the basic terms used to describe brain tumors. (468KB PDF)
• Facts and Statistics (Chapter 3) Are brain tumors really on the rise? Learn about the trends in the incidence, and prevalence, of these tumors. (495KB PDF)
• Causes & Risk Factors (Chapter 4) We answer your questions about possible causes, genetics, and the role of heredity in brain tumors. (441KB PDF)
• Diagnosis & Follow-Up Testing (Chapter 5) Learn more about the neurological exams, scans, and tests used to diagnose these tumors. (486KB PDF)
• Types of Brain and Spinal Cord Tumors (Chapter 6) Symptom and treatment overviews for over 100 types of brain tumors including glioblastoma multiforme, anaplastic astrocytoma, oligodendroglioma, oligoastrocytoma, glioma, medulloblastoma, ependymoma, craniopharyngioma, pituitary adenoma and many more. Note: tumors are listed in alphabetical order. (451KB PDF)
• Seizures (Chapter 7) A brain tumor can cause seizures. This chapter will help you better understand this symptom, ways to manage seizures, how to ready your family for this possibility, and first aid tips. (472KB PDF)
• Comfort & Coping (Chapter 8) Once you learn about your brain tumor diagnosis, how do cope and move forward? Here are suggestions for starting. (451KB PDF)
• Questions to Ask (Chapter 9) We offer a list of question to ask your doctor at diagnosis, when you see a specialist, and about insurance coverage. (436KB PDF)

NOTE:  If you prefer a free copy of the entire Primer booklet, call the ABTA CareLine at 800-886-ABTA (2282), or send an email request to us at ABTAcares@abta.org.  You can also request the Primer using our online Publications and Services Request Form or download your copy by clicking this link.

Last updated December 29, 2011