Overview
Brain cancer comprises malignant neoplasms arising within the brain and its surrounding tissues, encompassing primary tumors that originate from cells of the central nervous system and metastatic tumors that spread to the brain from cancers elsewhere in the body. Primary brain tumors are classified by cell of origin and histological and molecular features, ranging from glial tumors such as glioblastoma to embryonal tumors such as medulloblastoma, and vary widely in their growth, location, and prognosis. Clinically, brain tumors may produce focal neurological deficits, seizures, raised intracranial pressure, and, when they involve regions such as the frontal lobes, prominent neuropsychiatric and behavioral changes that bring neurosurgery into contact with psychiatry. Metastatic disease to the brain is common in systemic cancers, including breast cancer, and is managed with approaches such as whole-brain radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Diagnosis depends on neuroimaging and on histopathological and contemporary molecular characterization of tissue, which is essential to distinguish tumor types, identify second malignancies, and differentiate metastasis from other lesions. Treatment typically combines surgery, radiotherapy, and systemic therapy according to tumor type, location, and extent. Because brain tumors threaten vital neurological function, accurate classification, precise imaging and pathology, and multidisciplinary management are central to guiding therapy and informing prognosis.