There are certain risk factors that can increase one's chances of developing a brain tumor. Although most brain tumors are not linked to these factors, some may increase the risk.

• Age

Although brain tumors can appear at any age, the risk of this happening increases with age. However, some types of brain tumor are more common in young adults.

• Sex

Brain tumors are slightly more common in men than in women.

• Genetic conditions

A small number of brain tumors occur in people who have certain genetic (hereditary) disorders such as neurofibromatosis type 1 and 2 or tuberous sclerosis.

People with certain genetic syndromes such as Li-Fraumeni syndrome, von Hippel-Lindau syndrome, Turcot syndrome, or Gorlin syndrome are at a slightly higher risk of developing a brain tumor.

Most brain tumors are not hereditary, that is, they are not caused by a gene that can be passed on to other family members.

• Treatment before radiotherapy

Patients who have had radiotherapy in the area of the head are at a slightly higher risk of developing a brain tumor in the future.