There are few risk factors for brain tumors but the following may increase the risk of developing certain type of brain tumors:

• Exposition to vinyl chloride may increase the risk of glioma;
• Previous radiation therapy to the scalp or brain may increase the risk of meningioma;
• Epstein-Barr virus infection, AIDS, organ transplant may increase the risk of primary CNS lymphoma;
• Certain genetic syndromes may increase the risk of developing brain tumors;
• HIV may increase the risk of cerebral lymphomas.

For most of the childhood brain and spinal cord tumors, the cause is unknown.

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