Brain tumors are rare cancers that can be primary, that is, originate in the brain, or form as secondary metastases of neoplasms in other organs, such as lung or breast cancer.
Primary brain tumors are mainly meningiomas and gliomas: overall, their annual incidence is about 20 new cases per 100,000 population, and their prevalence is increasing, especially in connection with longer life expectancy; the incidence of secondary tumors is also increasing, due to more frequent metastatic forms.
In general, people over 50 years old are mostly affected by brain tumors; in children, primary brain tumors are the second most common form of cancer after blood neoplasms and are a serious clinical concern.
