Home > Encyclopedia of Cancer > Central Nervous System Carcinoma

Definition

A central nervous system carcinoma is a malignant tumor arising in the cells of the brain or spinal cord.

Description

The central nervous system (CNS) is comprised of the brain and spinal cord. The CNS takes its name from the crucial role it plays in maintaining physical and mental well-being (homeostasis). The brain controls and monitors the body's activity; the spinal cord conveys information to the body from the brain, and vice versa. Consequently, a tumor in the CNS disrupts motor (e.g., standing, walking, writing) and sensory (e.g., seeing, tasting, hearing) activities.

The two major components of brain tissue are...