Brain cancer occurs due to abnormal growth of brain cells. Brain cancer can occur in children and adults, but the incidence of brain cancer in both relatively rare. Brain tumorscan be classified into malignant (cancerous) or benign (non cancerous). Cancer tends to be more aggressive than tumors, but both are very serious and possibly fatal.
There are more than 140 types of brain tumors that can form in the brain. Brain tumors can be classified into primary and metastatic, depending on where the emergence of tumors in the body. Primary brain tumors originate in the brain and rarely spread outside the brain.Metastatic tumors originating from other parts of the body and spreads to the brain via the blood or lymphatic tissues. Some types of cancer that can spread to the brain is breast cancer, kidney cancer, melanoma and skin cancer.
Causes of Brain Cancer
We do not know exactly what causes brain tumors, but some research suggests there are some risk factors that play a role in its development. Risk factors are:
- Who has a family history of genetic disorders such as neurofibromatosis, tuberous sclerosis, Von Hippel-Lindau disease and Li-Fraumeni syndrome.
- Immune system and susceptible (associated with central nervous system lymphoma and people infected with AIDS)
- There are several causes and risk factors that are not proven in research. Cell phones and consumption of aspartame are two things that very controversy that is believed by some people may cause brain cancer.
Brain Tumors
Symptoms of Brain Tumors
Symptoms of brain tumors is highly dependent on the location and size of the tumor. The severity of symptoms does not describe the size of existing tumors, because tumors are small in size can also lead to severe symptoms as well.
Headaches are common symptoms of brain tumors, but usually accompanied by other symptoms. Headache in brain tumor has its own characteristics that distinguish it from headaches in general. Contrary to what people believe today, the pain is not an early symptom experienced, is actually a strain or muscle weakness that often occurs in the earlysymptoms of brain tumors.
Other brain tumor symptoms include:
- Nausea and / or vomiting
- Impaired hearing and vision
- Problems with memory
- Slow in the process of thinking
- Weakness on one side of the body
- Fatigue or increased frequency of sleep
- Changes in personality
How to Diagnose Brain Cancer
If the doctor suspects a brain tumor, one of the first step to get an accurate diagnosis is through Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Imaging tests provide a remarkable picture of the brain and this is often the only test needed to identify the possibility of a brain tumor. In some cases, CT scans may be used. PET scan, which helps doctors see brain activity, can help diagnose primary brain cancer, but its use is more on the condition of metastasis.
In the end, ayng biopsy is used to determine the malignancy and the type of brain tumor. If the tumor has been diagnosed with MRI and the type of cancer had metastatic properties, the biopsy may be unnecessary. However, with this type of cancer that does not often spread to the brain, a biopsy is a vital diagnostic tool. Primary brain tumors are most often requires a biopsy.
A brain biopsy can be performed during the operation. Tissue samples can be examined in the operating room, which allows the surgeon to make a decision about whether to proceed with surgery or not. More extensive evaluation of tumor specimens will also be performed by a pathologist. It may take several days for the results.
In some cases, a biopsy is closed, also called stereotactic biopsy, performed when the tumor is located in brain regions that are difficult to reach. This type of biopsy is the least invasive, but has no risk.
Brain Tumor Treatment
Brain Cancer are treated by a professional group of doctors who in some ways they are a team that consists of a wide range of specialties. The team is comprised of a neurosurgeon, medical oncologist or neuro-oncologist, radiation oncologist, and pathologist. Besides the doctors, nurses usually also participate in this team.
Tumor type, location, and class will determine the treatment plan. Curative treatment is allowed in some tumors, while slow growth or just relieve severe symptoms may also be other treatment goals. Unfortunately, in some types of brain tumors there is no recommended treatment program.
Approach to surgery in the treatment of brain tumors include tumor resection (complete removal) or debulking (removing as much as possible). In some cases, surgery may be the only method of treatment is necessary, but for other cases may require different treatment methods, such as radiation therapy. In many types of cancer between surgery and radiation combination is a common thing to do. There are several types of radiation therapy used to treat brain tumors. Again, tumor type, grade, and location are key factors in determining the best type of therapy.
However, radiation therapy also has risks. This can damage the parts of the brain, causing cognitive impairment, such as memory loss and difficulty concentrating. Swelling can be a side effect, but can be controlled with corticosteroids. Radiation necrosis can also be a side effect of radiation. In simple terms, this is the formation of irradiation of brain cells that has died and evolved into a mass. Surgery may be needed to remove dead tissue.
Chemotherapy can be used in some tumors that are known to respond well tochemotherapy, such as CNS lymphoma, glioma, or medullablastomas. Some high-grade tumors respond well, but not all. Thus, chemotherapy can be administered to patients with tumors sensitive to chemotherapy.
Targeted drug therapies such as Avastin is more appropriate than some chemotherapydrugs and side effects are often produced less. Mechanism of action of the drug Avastin is by cutting the blood supply to tumors, preventing the growth and shrink the tumor mass
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James Brian
I am a blogger who is interested in health issues, you can find and read my writing here(show bio)
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