Brain tumor education

Understanding Brain Tumors:
Primary vs. Secondary Brain Tumors

A brain tumor diagnosis can be overwhelming, but understanding your condition is the first step toward making informed decisions. Brain tumors can affect anyone, though certain factors may increase your risk. The type of tumor – such as glioblastomas, metastatic brain tumors or meningiomas – influences treatment options.

What are Primary vs. Secondary Brain Tumors?

Brain tumors are classified into two main types: primary and secondary. Understanding the difference between primary vs. secondary brain tumors is key to choosing the right treatment for you.

Primary Brain Tumors:

Primary brain tumors start in the brain or spinal cord. They grow from brain tissue, the protective membranes around the brain (meninges), or nerve-related cells. These tumors can be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous).

Common types include:

• Gliomas – These are the most common type of primary brain tumor. They start in glial cells, which help support and protect nerve cells. - Glioblastomas are a fast-growing, aggressive form of glioma.
• Meningiomas – These grow in the meninges, the layers of tissue that surround the brain and spinal cord. Most are benign but can still cause serious symptoms due to pressure on nearby areas.
• Pituitary Tumors and Schwannomas – These start in specific brain structures and are usually benign.

Secondary Brain Tumors (Metastatic Tumors):

Secondary brain tumors, also called metastatic brain tumors, begin as cancer in another part of the body—like the lungs, breasts, skin (melanoma), kidneys, or colon—and spread to the brain. These tumors are always cancerous and are the most common type of brain tumor in adults.

People of all ages can be affected, especially those with advanced cancer in another part of the body.

Learn more about the types of brain tumors, including primary vs secondary brain tumors.

Who is Affected by Brain Tumors?

Brain tumors can impact people of all ages and backgrounds. However, some factors may increase risk depending on the tumor type:

• Age – Brain tumors are generally more common in older adults, but this varies by brain tumor type, with some tumor types occurring more often in children than adults.
• Gender – Men have a slightly higher risk of brain tumors overall, while specific types of tumors, like non-cancerous tumors, are more common in women.
• Prior or existing health conditions – Certain genetic disorders or previous radiation exposure can increase the risk.

What Are the Risk Factors for Brain Tumors?

Although the exact causes of brain tumors remain unknown, several factors may increase the risk:

• Genetics – Conditions such as neurofibromatosis or Li-Fraumeni syndrome.
• Radiation exposure – Exposure to previous radiation treatments, especially to the head.
• Immune system suppression – Weakened immune systems may play a role.
• Environmental factors – Research is ongoing to uncover potential links between environmental exposures and brain tumors.

These factors may increase the chances of developing either a primary or secondary brain tumor, depending on your individual medical history.

How Are Brain Tumors Diagnosed?

To determine if you have a primary vs. secondary brain tumor, doctors use several tests and procedures:

• Imaging tests – MRI and CT scans are commonly used to detect tumors and pinpoint their size and location.
• Biopsy – In some cases, a sample of the tumor is taken for analysis to determine the type of tumor.
• Neurological exams – These tests check brain function by assessing vision, coordination, reflexes, and more.

A correct diagnosis is key to planning the right treatment, especially when differentiating primary vs. secondary brain tumors.

Your Treatment Team

Managing primary vs. secondary brain tumors often involves a care team with several specialists:

• Neurosurgeon – Doctor who specializes in brain surgery who is often involved in the removal of brain tumors.
• Radiation Oncologist – Doctor who specializes in treating cancer using radiation therapy.
• Medical Oncologist – Doctor who treats cancer with medications, including chemotherapy, targeted therapies, and immunotherapies
• Neuro-Oncologist – Medical Oncologist who specializes in neurological cancers such as brain tumors
• Neurologist – Doctor with expertise in the nervous system who manages symptoms and complications related to brain tumors.
• Radiologist – Doctor who interprets imaging tests and may also play a role in delivering radiation therapy.

Brain Tumor Treatment

Whether you have a primary or secondary brain tumor, your care team will develop a personalized treatment plan based on your tumor type, size, location, and overall health. Here are some of the common treatment approaches:

• Surgery – Removing as much of the tumor as possible.
• Radiation therapy – Using targeted radiation (such as GammaTile^®* or external beam radiation therapy) to destroy cancer cells.
• Chemotherapy – Medications that kill cancer cells or stop them from growing.
• Targeted therapies – Drugs that focus on specific molecules involved in tumor growth.
• Immunotherapy – Treatments that harness the body’s immune system to fight the cancer.

Tumor Regrowth: Why Timely Treatment Matters

Whether a tumor is primary or secondary, there is always a risk that it may grow back after treatment. This is known as tumor recurrence, or recurrent brain tumors. Some brain tumors – especially fast-growing types like glioblastomas or certain metastatic tumors – can begin to regrow very quickly, even in the short time between surgery and treatments like radiation or chemotherapy.

Unfortunately, any delay in treatment may give remaining tumor cells the chance to spread or grow, making the tumor harder to treat later on. That’s why having a care plan that starts working immediately is essential, especially for aggressive or high-risk tumors.

GammaTile is one option that helps address this issue by delivering targeted radiation at the time of surgery. This means treatment can begin right away—when tumor cells are at their lowest levels.¹

Explore how GammaTile works for primary and secondary brain tumors and whether it may be right for your treatment plan.

Understanding Primary vs. Secondary Brain Tumors

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with a brain tumor, you are not alone. Learning about your condition can help you feel more in control and make informed decisions about your care.

The information on this page is intended to be a helpful resource for understanding primary vs. secondary brain tumors. However, it is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always talk with your doctor or healthcare provider to determine the best treatment plan for your specific condition.

Download our Patient Discussion Guide to help you ask the right questions, understand your diagnosis, and explore your treatment options with your care team. Use it during appointments to feel more confident, prepared, and in control of your care.

Next: Learn more about the types of brain tumors.