When diagnosed with brain cancer, patients may hear it described as a primary or secondary tumor. This term relates to the cancer’s origin and has a significant impact on the patient’s treatment journey and prognosis. Centers for Neurosurgery, Spine & Orthopedics (CNSO) is New Jersey’s most comprehensive brain and spine center, offering advanced treatments for brain tumors. Here, the CNSO medical team explores the differences between primary brain cancer and secondary brain cancer.
Quick Facts About Brain Cancer
- Primary brain cancer originates in the brain, while secondary brain cancer spreads there from other parts of the body.
- Secondary brain cancer causes a wider range of symptoms due to tumors that have formed elsewhere in the body.
- Primary and secondary brain cancers require different treatment approaches.
- The prognosis of secondary or metastatic brain cancer depends largely on the origin of the tumor and often has a better prognosis than primary brain cancer. However, treatments continue to be refined and improve patient survival and quality of life.
Primary Brain Cancer vs. Secondary Brain Cancer
Secondary brain cancer or a metastatic malignant brain tumor originates from other parts of the body and spreads to the brain most commonly through the bloodstream. These tumors are fast-growing and invade and damage nearby tissues. Often, metastatic or secondary brain cancer has also spread to other parts of the body, which is what makes it so dangerous.
Primary Brain Cancer
Primary malignant brain cancers are tumors that originate within the brain. They develop following a DNA change, typically in the glial cells, called astrocytoma or oligodendroglioma. Primary brain cancer is aggressive and grows rapidly, invading and damaging nearby tissue. Unlike secondary brain cancer, it rarely metastasizes to other areas of the brain.
Symptoms of primary brain cancer occur when the tumor presses against or invades nearby brain structures. Different patients experience different symptoms depending on where the tumor forms, but common ones include:
- Increasingly severe headaches
- Changes in vision, hearing, or smell
- Clumsiness, muscle weakness, or loss of balance
- Personality or behavior changes
- Cognitive impairment
- Difficulty talking or finding words
- Memory loss
- Nausea and vomiting
- Seizures
Secondary Brain Cancer
Secondary brain tumors, also called metastatic brain tumors, migrate to the brain from other parts of the body. They often start as breast, lung, skin, kidney, or colon cancers. When the cancer turns metastatic, cells spread to form new tumors in the brain and other organs.
Though secondary brain cancer causes symptoms like those of primary brain cancer, it has other warning signs caused by tumors forming elsewhere in the body. Patients typically experience symptoms of their primary cancer and symptoms of brain cancer, and the following general signs of metastatic cancer:
- Weight loss
- Extreme fatigue
- Loss of appetite
- Bone pain
- Night sweats
- Shortness of breath
- Unexpected weight loss
How Diagnosis and Treatment Differ
Because primary and secondary brain cancers develop differently, they must also be handled differently. Primary brain cancer is diagnosed with a combination of a neurological exam and imaging that often includes both computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. Once diagnosed, the various treatment options include:
- Brain tumor surgery
- Radiation therapy
- Chemotherapy
- Targeted therapies
Secondary brain cancer is diagnosed using the same tests, with the addition of blood tests, bone scans, and further imaging tests to evaluate how far the cancer has spread. The treatment of cancer is tailored to the original site of the cancer, or what is called the primary. Treatment typically involves a combination of surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy.
Prognosis and Outlook
The prognosis of primary brain cancer varies with the grade and type of tumor. Grade II astrocytomas have a much better prognosis, whereas grade IV astrocytomas, known as glioblastomas, have a much poorer prognosis. The cell origin of the tumor also affects prognosis, with an oligodendroglioma typically having a more favorable prognosis than an astrocytoma.
The prognosis of secondary brain cancer is dependent on the primary type of cancer. Treatments continue to evolve and improve cancer treatment, substantially advancing prognosis and often providing a cure.
Find Expert Brain Cancer Care Near You in New Jersey
While any brain cancer is frightening, understanding the various types and their treatments can help patients feel more confident in their care. Centers for Neurosurgery, Spine & Orthopedics provides cutting-edge, comprehensive care for both primary and secondary brain tumors at convenient locations near you across New Jersey. Contact CNSO to learn more or schedule an appointment.
FAQ About Brain Cancer
What is primary brain cancer?
Primary brain cancer is cancer that originates in the brain.
What is secondary brain cancer?
Secondary brain cancer is cancer that originates elsewhere in the body, such as the breast, skin, or lungs, and spreads into the brain.
What type of brain cancer is most common?
Primary and secondary brain cancers are nearly equally common in middle-aged and older adults.
What type of brain cancer has a better prognosis?
Primary brain cancer prognosis largely depends on the grade of the brain tumor, with Grade II astrocytomas having a favorable prognosis and Grade IV or glioblastoma having a worse prognosis. The prognosis for secondary brain cancer is highly variable but typically worse than that of low-grade brain cancer.
