According to the A.D.A.M. Medical Encyclopedia, a brain tumor is any growth of abnormal cells or uncontrolled proliferation of cells in the brain. Primary brain tumors involve any such growth that originates in the brain, rather than spreading to the brain from another part of the body. Metastatic, or secondary brain tumors, involve masses of cancerous cells in the brain that have spread from another part of the body.

• American Brain Tumor Association - This organization offers excellent resources and support for patients and families dealing with various types of brain tumors in both children and adults. In addition to brain tumor information, the site explains how the brain works and what happens when a brain tumor is found. Choices in treatment and information about specific types of tumors are also provided. Excellent pamphlets can be ordered from ABTA.
• Cancer.gov: Brain Tumors - Provides access to authoritative documents from the National Cancer Institute, including information about treatment, supportive care and clinical trials.
• MedlinePlus: Brain Cancer - Developed at the Developed at the National Library of Medicine specifically for consumers, this site is a portal for both government-sponsored and privately developed health information for the lay public. Look for links to familiar places like the National Institutes of Health.
• National Brain Tumor Foundation (NBTF) - The NBTF is a national not-for-profit health organization dedicated to providing information and support for brain tumor patients, family members and healthcare professionals. The Web site also includes an interactive brain anatomy page.
• Neuro-Oncology Branch of NIH - The Neuro-Oncology Branch is a trans-institute program of the National Cancer Institute and the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). It is dedicated to the development of novel experimental therapeutics for children and adults with tumors of the central nervous system.
• NINDS Brain and Spinal Tumor Information Page - The National Institute of Neurologic Disease and Stroke (NINDS) provides this resource to give a brief overview of tumors, current research priorities and contact information for a variety of support opportunities for both children and adults.

• 100 Questions and Answers about Brain Tumors. Stark-Vance V. 2004.
• Everyone's Guide to Cancer Therapy. Dollinger M. 2002.
• Human Diseases and Conditions. Izenberg N. 2000.

• Innovation in the Management of Brain Metastases. Oncology (Huntington). 21(4):473-81; discussion 482, 484, 489. Rao R., et al. April 2007.
• Glioma Therapy in Adults. Neurologist. 12(6):279-92. Norden A., et al. November 2006.
• Medical Management of Patients with Brain Tumors. Journal of Neuro-Oncology. 80(3):313-32. Wen P., et al. December 2006.
• New Approaches to Primary Brain Tumor Treatment. Anti-Cancer Drugs. 17(9):1003-16. Sathornsumetee S., et al. October 2006.

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