What is brain tumor?
A brain tumor, like a tumor anywhere else in the body, is a
result of an abnormal proliferation of cells in the brain. A
primary brain tumor is one where the tumor originates from the
brain cells. Secondary brain tumors are cancers originating
elsewhere in the body and spreading to the brain through the blood
stream. It may be mentioned that some chronic infections like
tuberculosis and fungal infections often produce a tumor like
moss in the brain which may mimic a cancerous lesion. A brain
tumor may directly destroy brain cells or it may cause brain
dysfunction by various other means.
Benign brain tumors: A benign
brain tumor consists of cells that have a normal or almost normal
appearance when viewed under a microscope. The tumor is very
slow-growing, has distinct borders that form a capsule, and does
not spread into adjacent brain tissue. Benign brain tumors grow
like a balloon being blown up, with an intact capsule and no
direct invasion of brain tissue. However, benign brain tumors can
cause brain damage or be considered life-threatening due to their
ability to encroach into areas of the brain occupied by normal
cells, causing increased pressure on and dysfunction in these
cells.
Surgery alone is often curative for benign tumors that are located
where complete removal is possible. The most common benign brain
tumors are meningiomas and neural sheath tumors (neurilemmoma).
Malignant brain tumors: A
malignant, or cancerous, brain tumor grows into and invades
adjacent normal brain tissue but rarely spreads outside the brain.
Malignant brain tumors can be slow- or fast-growing and are
usually life threatening due to their ability to invade and
destroy normal brain tissue. Malignant brain tumors can spread to
other locations in the brain and spine because they lack distinct
borders and are difficult to remove without prohibitive damage to
normal brain tissue. Cells from malignant brain tumors can also
break away from the initial site and travel to distant parts of
the brain and spine by way of the cerebrospinal fluid. However,
most malignant brain tumors remain localized, in the area where
they began.
There are two types of malignant brain tumors, primary and
metastasis. Primary brain tumors originate from cells in the brain
and there are many types of these. The most common type of
malignant primary brain tumor is glioblastoma multiform (grade IV
astrocytoma ), which make up approximately 20% of all primary
brain tumors.
Metastatic brain tumors are any cancers that have spread from
another area of the body to the brain. Cancers that commonly
spread to the brain include breast and lung cancers.
What are the various kinds of tumors?
Brain tumours are basically of two kinds – those that originate
from the layers covering the brain (meninge's) and those that
originate from the brain cells. The former are called meningiomas.
They are almost always non-cancerous and are easy to remove
surgically. The tumours arising from the supportive tissues of the
brain are called gliomas. They are more common in adults and are
more dangerous, since they are usually malignant and can often not
be completely removed.
The most commonly occurring tumours in adults are gliomas, while
in children, tumours usually arise near the brain stem (medulloblastoma).
What are the causes?
The exact cause of tumours is not known. However, there is a
higher risk of tumours in:
* Children and elderly
* People with certain rare congenital abnormalities like Li-Fraumeni
syndrome, tuberous sclerosis etc.
* People with disorders of the immune system or auto-immune
disorders like AIDS
* People who are exposed to X-rays of the head
* People who work in certain industries like oil refining, drug
and rubber manufacturing.
What are the symptoms of tumours?
Symptoms of brain tumours are usually non-specific in the
beginning. They also depend on the size and location of the tumour
in the brain. The symptoms of a brain tumour may be varied since
they may affect different functioning capacities of the brain. For
example, a tumour that causes swelling of the brain may exhibit
different symptoms than that which compresses the tissues of the
brain.
Some of the common symptoms indicating a
tumour in the brain are:
* Frequent headaches that vary in intensity and time of the day.
These headaches are usually intense in the mornings and ease out
during the day.
* Nausea or vomiting
* Epileptic seizures or convulsions
* Visual disturbances due to compression of the optic nerve or
oedema of the optic disc (papilloedema)
* Changes in memory functions
* Changes in speech
* Drowsiness and bouts of incoherence
* Partial or local paralysis. Neurological deficits like weakness
or paralysis of some parts of the body, loss of sensation,
unsteadiness of gait (ataxia), etc.
How is it diagnosed?
The doctor first conducts a thorough physical examination of the
patient and takes his medical and family history. The physical
examination includes a detailed neurological examination. The
latter consists of examinations for alertness, muscle strength,
coordination, reflexes and response to pain. Any swelling of the
eyes and visual disturbances is also ascertained.
The doctor may ask for tests like CT or MRI scan to study the
tissues of the brain. These procedures help to identify any
changes in the brain tissues, and outline any abnormal growth.
Other tests that may be requested by the doctor are EEG, angiogram
and a skull X-ray.
When should the doctor be consulted
urgently?
Persistent or increasing frequency of headache specially if it is
associated with vomiting, blurring or double vision, weakness of
any part of the body, epileptic fits, difficulty in speaking,
instability of gait. Change of behaviour, memory impairment with
or without the above symptoms should also prompt expert
consultation.
What is the treatment?
Depending on the type of tumour, its location, and the extent of
its spread, the treatment may be surgery, chemotherapy and/or
radiation therapy. These procedures may be used exclusively or in
combination. Before treatment begins, patients are usually given
steroid treatment to reduce brain swelling. They may also be given
medication to keep the seizures (epileptic fits) under control.
1.) Surgery - The most common form of treatment of brain tumours is
removal of the cancerous mass. The neurosurgeon makes a hole in
the skull and reaches the site of the tumour through that. The
procedure is called craniotomy. As far as possible, the entire
tumour is removed. This is usually possible to achieve in case of
benign tumours like meningiomas, neuro fibromas, etc. Gliomas on
the other hand, cannot be excised completely as they do not have
clearly defined limits. However, the doctor is careful not to
damage any vital tissues of the brain, and thus in cases where the
whole tumour cannot be removed, partial removal is done. This
helps to relieve the pressure within the skull and leaves a
smaller portion of the tumour to be treated through radiation
and/or chemotherapy.
2.)Chemotherapy – it is the destruction of cancerous cells with
the help of powerful drugs. Drugs are usually given orally or as
injections into the vein.
3.)Radiation therapy – in this high power rays are used to kill
cancerous cells and prevent them from proliferating. Radiotherapy
is given for a short period of time followed by a break. The
period of therapy depends on the age of the patient, the site of
the tumour and its size. The radiation is given with pin point
accuracy, so that the surrounding healthy brain tissue is
protected.
What are the side effects of treatment?
Brain tumour treatment may leave many side effects which may
become less with time. Since craniotomy is a major procedure,
there may be side effects like coordination difficulties, problems
in comprehension and memory and personality changes. This is
caused due to some damage to normal tissues surrounding the tumour.
Post surgery complications include cerebral oedema and seizures.
Other side effects depend upon the location and extent of the
tumour. In case there is no neurological deficit before operation,
post-operatively also there should be no defect. In a large
majority of cases even pre-operative deficit improves. However if
tumour removed is delayed or the deficit is already severe this
may not recover fully.
Side effects of radiation and chemotherapy include nausea,
vomiting, weight loss, loss of hair and allergic reactions of the
skin. Children who have had radiation therapy for brain tumours
may have learning difficulties and visual problems. There may also
be growth deficiencies in some children due to hormonal imbalance.
Some anticancer drugs may cause infertility. Women on anticancer
drugs may experience menopausal symptoms like hot flashes and
vaginal dryness. Some drugs may also cause kidney damage. A common
condition is the formation of blood clots, usually in the leg,
after the drug treatment.
What are the long term effects?
Early treatment of the tumour is necessary for better chances of
recovery. The prognosis is grim for patients in whom the tumour is
not completely removed. Although the inevitable is delayed with
medication, survival chances are very low. The average life
expectancy is about 6 months in case of a malignant tumour. In
cases of benign tumours, and those which are completely removed,
the prognosis is good and the patient can gain full recovery. The
side effects of treatment lessen with time and the patient can
resume his normal routine. Physiotherapy and rehabilitative
therapy may be given to minimise the residual effects. There are
various support groups that are working in the area of
rehabilitation of cancer patients and they may provide the much
needed support.
Tumors may be benign
(not cancerous), or malignant (cancerous)
Early Brain Tumor Detaction
Brain Cancer - treatment of Brain Cancer, Brain
Cancer types, Disease medicines, Brain Cancer symptoms, Brain Cancer and
Disease symptoms, Brain Cancer symptoms Disease and diagnosis, Symptoms and
Solutions, Signs and Symptoms, type of Brain Cancer, cause common, common
Brain Cancer, Brain Cancer List, causes list, Infectious Brain Cancer,
Causes, Diseases , Types, Prevention, Treatment and Facts, Brain Cancer
information, Brain Cancer: Definition, Brain Cancer names, medical Brain
Cancer, medical Brain Cancer and disorders, cell Brain Cancer, Brain Cancer
Worldwide, Brain Cancer Research, Brain Cancer Control, Brain Cancer Center,
Digestive Brain Cancer Week, Information about Brain Cancer, causes of
different Brain Cancer, Brain Cancer Articles, Brain Cancer and conditions,
Health and Brain Cancer, Brain Cancer Patients, Brain Cancer and Sciences,
causes of alzheimer's Brain Cancer, Brain Cancer causes, alternative
medicine heart Brain Cancer, body ailments, Brain Cancer medicines, medical
antiques, type of blood Brain Cancer