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Brain Cancer Risk Factors

Exposure to certain chemicals are environmental risk factors for brain cancer. Vinyl chloride, PCB, benzene, gasoline, and other chemicals are carcinogens, that is, a cancer-causing substances. The products are used in manufacturing and chemical plants to make plastic products such as pipes, wire coatings, furniture, car parts, and housewares. People who work in these plants or live in close proximity to them have an increased risk for brain cancer.

Genetic mutations and deletions of tumor suppressor gene (i.e., genes that suppress the development of malignant cells) increase the risk for some types of brain cancer. Inherited diseases that are associated with brain tumors include Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (pituitary adenoma), Neurofibromatosis type 2 (brain and spinal cord tumors), Retinoblastoma (malignant retinal glioma), Tuberous sclerosis (primary brain tumors) and Von Hippel-Lindau disease (retinal tumor, CNS tumors).