Words to know: Brain tumors
- Astrocytoma
- A glioma that starts in star-shaped support cells of the brain.
- Biopsy
- Removing a small piece of tissue to look at under a microscope.
- Brain metastases
- Cancer that spread to the brain from another part of the body.
- Chemotherapy
- Medicines that kill fast-growing cells, like cancer cells.
- Contrast
- A dye given by IV that makes tumors show up more clearly on scans.
- Dexamethasone
- A steroid medicine used to lower swelling in the brain.
- Edema
- Swelling caused by extra fluid. In the brain, it can cause headaches and other symptoms.
- Glioblastoma
- A fast-growing grade 4 glioma without an IDH gene change.
- Glioma
- A tumor that starts in the glial (support) cells of the brain or spinal cord.
- Grade
- A number from 1 to 4 that shows how fast a brain tumor is likely to grow.
- IDH
- A gene. A change in it is found in many slower-growing gliomas.
- Maximal safe resection
- Surgery that removes as much tumor as possible without harming important brain areas.
- Meningioma
- A tumor of the covering of the brain. Most are not cancer.
- MGMT
- A gene that repairs DNA. When it is switched off, temozolomide tends to work better.
- MRI
- A scan that uses magnets to make detailed pictures of the brain.
- Neuro-oncologist
- A doctor who specializes in treating brain and spinal cord tumors.
- Neurosurgeon
- A surgeon who operates on the brain and spine.
- Oligodendroglioma
- A glioma with both an IDH change and a 1p/19q codeletion. It often responds well to treatment.
- Palliative care
- Care that eases symptoms and improves quality of life at any stage of illness.
- Pseudoprogression
- When a scan after radiation looks worse, but the change is from treatment, not tumor growth.
- Seizure
- A burst of abnormal electrical activity in the brain. It can cause shaking, staring, or odd feelings.
- Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS)
- Very precise, high-dose radiation given in one or a few sessions. No cutting is involved.
- Temozolomide
- A chemotherapy pill often used for gliomas.
- Tumor treating fields
- A device worn on the scalp that uses mild electric fields to slow tumor cell growth.
- Clinical trial
- A research study that tests new treatments in people.
Last updated: 2026-10-27. Medically reviewed by Veli Bakalov, MD, medical oncologist (October 2026). General education from Step by Step, the patient portal of HemeOncBuddy.