Hypothalamic tumor

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Hypothalamic tumor

Definition:

Hypothalamic tumor is a growth in the hypothalamus, a centrally located part of the brain.

Alternative Names:
Hypothalamic glioma
Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

The exact cause of hypothalamic tumors is not known. It is likely that they result from a combination of genetic and environmental factors.

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In children, most hypothalamic tumors are gliomas. Gliomas are a common type of brain tumor that result from the abnormal growth of glial cells, which are a type of cells that support nerve cells. Gliomas can occur at any age but they are often more aggressive in adults than children.

In adults, tumors in the hypothalamus are more likely to be metastatic (resulting from the spread of cancer from another organ to the hypothalmus) than they are when they occur in children.

People with neurofibromatosis (a hereditary condition) are at increased risk for this type of tumor in particular, and those who've undergone radiation therapy are at increased risk for developing tumors in general.