risk

Risk of brain tumor

The following risk factors are associated with an increased chance of developing a primary brain tumor:

• Being male - In general, brain tumors are more common in males than females. However, meningiomas are more common in females.
  
  
• Race - Brain tumors occur more often among white people than among people of other races.
  
  
• Age - Most brain tumors are detected in people who are 70 years old or older. However, brain tumors are the second most common cancer in children. (Leukemia is the most common childhood cancer.) Brain tumors are more common in children younger than 8 years old than in older children.
  
  
• Family history - People with family members who have gliomas may be more likely to develop this disease.
  
  
• Being exposed to radiation or certain chemicals at work:
  
  • Radiation - Workers in the nuclear industry have an increased risk of developing a brain tumor.
    
    
  • Formaldehyde - Pathologists and embalmers who work with formaldehyde have an increased risk of developing brain cancer. Scientists have not found an increased risk of brain cancer among other types of workers exposed to formaldehyde.
    
    
  • Vinyl chloride - Workers who make plastics may be exposed to vinyl chloride. This chemical may increase the risk of brain tumors.