Brain tumour causes and risk factors
In most cases, experts do not know what causes a primary brain tumour. Research is going on to find out more.
What are risk factors?
In almost all cases, experts do not know what causes a primary brain tumour. There are some things that may increase your risk of developing a brain tumour. These are called risk factors.
It is important to remember that having a risk factor does not mean you will get a brain tumour. Only a small number of people develop a brain tumour because of 1 of these risk factors. Research is going on to find out more.
Age
Brain tumours can develop at any age, but the risk is higher if you are older. A few types of brain tumour are more common in younger adults.
Sex
Some types of brain tumours are more common in men, and others may be more common in women. For example, gliomas are slightly more common in men and meningiomas are more common in women.
Previous radiotherapy treatment
People who had radiotherapy to the head as children have a slightly higher risk of developing a brain tumour later in life.
Genetic conditions
It is very rare for brain tumours to run in families.
A small number of inherited genetic conditions are linked to a higher risk of certain types of brain tumour. These include:
- neurofibromatosis type 1 and type 2 (NF1 and NF2)
- tuberous sclerosis
- Li-Fraumeni syndrome
- von Hippel-Lindau syndrome
- Turcot’s syndrome
- Gorlin syndrome
- Cowden’s disease.
If your family is affected by 1 of these conditions, your GP can explain whether you have a higher risk of developing a brain tumour. They may refer you to a genetics clinic. Genetic Alliance UK also offers information and support about rare inherited conditions.
A weakened immune system
When a type of cancer called lymphoma starts in the brain or spinal cord, this is called primary central nervous system lymphoma. This is a rare type of tumour. It is more likely to develop in people who have a weakened immune system, for example because of:
- HIV infection
- long-term treatment with drugs that lower the immune system (immunosuppressants), for example after an organ transplant.
Unproven causes
Hurting your head or brain in an accident (head injury) has not been shown to cause brain tumours.
Mobile phones, power lines and viruses have all been suggested as possible causes of brain tumours. But research has not found any clear evidence linking these things to brain tumours.
Getting support
If you are worried about brain tumours and would like to talk to someone, we're here. You can:
- Call the Macmillan Support Line for free on 0808 808 00 00.
- Chat to our specialists online.
About our information
This information has been written, revised and edited by Macmillan Cancer Support’s Cancer Information Development team. It has been reviewed by expert medical and health professionals and people living with cancer.
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References
Below is a sample of the sources used in our primary brain tumour information. If you would like more information about the sources we use, please contact us at informationproductionteam@macmillan.org.uk
EANO-ESMO Clinical Practice Guidelines for prophylaxis, diagnosis, treatment and follow-up: Neurological and vascular complications of primary and secondary brain tumours. 2021. Available from www.eano.eu/publications/eano-guidelines/eano-esmo-clinical-practice-guidelines-for-prophylaxis-diagnosis-treatment-and-follow-up-neurological-and-vascular-complications-of-primary-and-secondary-brain-tumours [accessed August 2024].
NICE Guideline NG99. Brain tumours (primary) and brain metastases in over 16s. 2018 (updated 2021). Available from: www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng99 [accessed August 2024].
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