Risks for brain and spinal cord tumours
Some things can affect your risk, or chance, of developing cancer. Certain behaviours, substances or conditions can increase or decrease the risk. Most cancers are the result of many risks. But sometimes cancer develops in people who don’t have any risks.
In general, brain and spinal cord tumours are most common in children and older adults. Some types of brain and spinal cord tumours are more common in adults and others are more common in children. Find out more about childhood brain and spinal cord tumours.
Most types of brain and spinal cord tumours are more common in men. But some types, such as meningiomas, are more common in women. We need more research and can't say at this time what the risk is for transgender, non-binary and gender-diverse people.
If you have a genetic condition that increases your risk for brain and spinal cord tumours, you may need to visit your doctor more often. Talk to your doctor about your risk, and if you need to have certain tests to check for brain and spinal cord cancer.
The following can increase your risk for brain and spinal cord tumours.
Previous radiation therapy
People who have had radiation therapy to the head to treat cancer or another health condition have a higher risk of developing brain tumours.
Certain genetic conditions
A genetic condition is a disease caused by a change (mutation) in one or more
genes. Having certain genetic conditions increases the risk of developing brain
and spinal cord tumours. The following are
Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) affects the nervous system. It affects the development and growth of neurons (nerve cells), causes tumours to grow on nerves (neurofibromas) and may produce other abnormalities in muscles, bones and skin. Some cancerous tumours, called malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumours, may grow along the nerves.
Neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) causes non-cancerous (benign) growths called schwannomas in the cranial nerves or other parts of the central nervous system.
Both NF1 and NF2 can increase the risk for brain and spinal cord tumours, but these cancers are found more often in people with NF1.
Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) syndrome affects blood vessels in the eyes, brain, spinal cord, adrenal glands and other parts of the body, making them grow abnormally. VHL syndrome increases the risk of brain, kidney, pancreatic and adrenal gland cancers.
Li-Fraumeni syndrome increases the risk of developing different types of cancer, including brain tumours. Most people with Li-Fraumeni syndrome will develop cancer before the age of 60.
Tuberous sclerosis is a condition in which non-cancerous tumours develop in the brain and spinal cord, or in the skin, heart or kidneys.
Turcot syndrome causes many growths, called polyps, to form in the colon. It also increases the risk of brain and spinal cord tumours, and colorectal cancer.
Basal cell nevus syndrome is also called Gorlin syndrome or nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome. It causes problems with several organs and increases the risk of developing different types of tumours, including brain and spinal cord tumours.
Cowden syndrome causes many non-cancerous (benign) growths (hamartomas) to form in the skin, breast, thyroid, colon and intestines, and inside the mouth.
Family history of brain tumours
A family history of brain tumours means that one or more close blood relatives have or have had a brain tumour. Some families have more cases of brain tumours than would be expected by chance. Sometimes it isn’t clear if the family’s pattern of brain tumours is due to chance, shared lifestyle factors or an inherited risk that has been passed from parents to children – or if it’s a combination of all these factors.
Weak immune system
Having a weak immune system (immunosuppression) increases your risk for brain and spinal cord tumours. You may have a weak immune system for different reasons including if you have HIV or AIDS, or if you have had an organ transplant and must take medicines to suppress your immune system.
Possible risk factors
The following have been linked with brain and spinal cord tumours, but more research is needed to know for sure that they are risks:
- cell phones
- being tall
No link to brain and spinal cord tumours
Significant research shows that there is no link between brain and spinal cord tumours and polio vaccines or alcohol.
Understanding your cancer risk
To make the decisions that are right for you, ask your healthcare team questions about risks. Learn how cancer can be prevented and what you can do to reduce your risk.
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