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Brain tumor
Brain tumor occur when mass or abnormal cells develop in the brain.
Brain tumors are formed in several different types. Some are cancerous, known as malignant, while some are noncancerous or benign. Primary brain tumors are when tumors initially develop in the brain. When cancerous tumors appear in other areas of the body and spread to the brain, they are considered as secondary or metastatic brain tumors.
The growth rate of a brain tumor varies on different factors. How the brain function is affected depends on tumor’s growth rate and location. The type, the size and the location of the tumor are the factors that will determine the treatment options.
Symptoms
Signs and symptoms vary depending on the type, size and location of the tumor:
- Headaches that started suddenly or changes of its pattern
- Progressive headache. More frequent or more severe headaches.
- Nausea or vomiting
- Problem with visions, such as blurry vision, double vision or loss of peripheral vision
- Problems with hearing, speech or thinking
- Weakness or numbness of an arm or a leg
- Balance difficulties
- Exhaustion
- Confused with daily issues
- Unable to follow easy commands
- Changes in behaviors or personality
Consult a doctor if these signs and symptoms are persistent.
Causes
Primary brain tumors
When brain tumors develop initially within the brain itself or in the tissues surrounding it, it is known as primary brain tumors. For instance, tumor arising in the covering membranes, cranial nerves, pituitary gland or in pineal gland.
When regular cells go through changes or mutate in their DNA, primary brain tumors occur. DNA in the cells guide them with what they are supposed to do. When mutations occur, the cells are indicated to grow and quickly separate themselves and to live while healthy cells die. This results in a mass formed by abnormal cells, which becomes a tumor.
Primary brain tumors are not frequently found in adults when compared to secondary brain tumors, which are the tumors that arise from cancer developing somewhere in the body and spreads to the brain.
There are various kinds of primary brain tumors. Each of them obtains their names from the type of cells that are associated with it.
- Gliomas are the kinds of brain tumors that originate in the brain or spinal cord and include astrocytomas, ependymomas, glioblastomas, oligoastrocytomas and oligodendrogliomas.
- Meningiomas are the tumors that develop from the meninges. Meningiomas are mostly noncancerous.
- Acoustic neuromas (schwannomas) are tumors that are noncancerous which occur on the nerves that manage balance and hearing abilities starting from the inner ear to the brain.
- Pituitary adenomas are tumors that arise in the pituitary gland at the base section of the brain. Pituitary hormones may be affected by this type of tumor.
- Medulloblastomas originate from the lower back part of the brain and has the tendency to spread through spinal fluid. They are the cancerous type of brain tumors, which are frequently found in children. However, it can develop at any age.
- Germ cell tumors tend to arise in children where the testicles or ovaries are developed. However, germ cell tumors may have an impact on brain or other parts of the body as well.
- Craniopharyngiomas are rarely found. They begin around the pituitary gland that release hormones to control various functions in the body. The gradual growth of craniopharyngioma may have an impact on the pituitary gland and other structures around the brain.
Secondary (metastatic) brain tumors
When cancerous tumors appear in other areas of the body, and spread to the brain, they are known as secondary or metastatic brain tumors. Patients who have a record of cancer in the past are commonly detected with secondary brain tumors. Adults are often found with secondary brain tumors than the primary brain tumors.
Although, there is a chance for any type of cancer to spread to the brain, the most common types are breast cancer, colon cancer, kidney cancer, lung cancer and melanoma.
Risk factors
The cause of primary brain tumors in majority of the people is unclear. However, the followings are identified as factors that may raise the risk of developing brain tumor.
- Radiation exposure, specifically ionizing radiation, increases the risk of brain tumor. Radiation therapy for cancer treatments and exposure to radiation from atomic bombs are some of the examples of ionizing radiation.
- Having family history of brain tumors can be a risk factor as a small amount of people with this record or having a history of genetic syndromes have been diagnosed brain tumors.
Diagnosis
- A neurological exam includes examining vision, hearing, balance, strength, coordination and reflexes.
- Imaging tests
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is used for diagnose the tumor. Some cases require a contrast media to inject intravenously during an MRI.
- Specialized MRI scan components consist of functional MRI, perfusion MRI and magnetic resonance spectroscopy. These will help evaluate the tumor and plan the right treatment.
- Computerized tomography (CT) and positron emission tomography (PET) are recommended for certain cases.
- Biopsy or testing of an abnormal tissue sample. Biopsy can be performed during the surgery, which is done to remove the brain tumor.
- A stereotactic needle biopsy could be carried out for brain tumors that are located in the areas that are hard to reach or are very sensitive in the brain. A small hole will be drilled into the skull. Then a thin needle is inserted through the hole. Tissue will be removed with the help of a needle. This process is often times carried out by CT or MRI guided scanning.
The sample collection from the biopsy will be examined with a microscope to rule out if it’s cancerous or benign as well as treatment needed.
Treatment
The type, size and the location of the tumor are factors that will determine the treatment options.
Surgery
Surgical removal of the brain tumor will be carried out only if the tumor is existing in a place that is accessible for a safe operation.
When some brain tumors are small, can easily be be detached from the brain tissues surrounding. This makes it possible to completely remove the tumor. For tumors that are existing near the sensitive parts of the brain, they are unable to be separated from tissues around it, surgery becomes a risky and unsafe procedure. The doctor will remove the tumor as much as it is safe. A removal of a partial brain tumor can diminish the symptoms and signs.
Infections and bleeding may appear when surgery of brain tumor is carried out. Other risk factors vary on the location of the tumor. For instance, when removing a tumor that is located near the nerves that are connected to the eyes, a risk of vision loss arises.
Radiation therapy
Radiation therapy is the utilization of high-energy beams, such as X-rays or protons that can kill the tumor cells. Radiation therapy is often given by a machine outside of the body called external beam radiation. It can target only on the position where the tumor is existing, while it can also be implemented to the entire brain. In rare occasion, that radiation may be placed inside the body near the brain tumor.
The common side effects of radiation therapy that often occur during or right after the treatment are fatigue, headaches, loss of memory, irritations in the scalp and hair fall.
Radiosurgery
Stereotactic radiosurgery the use of numerous beams of radiation to provide a type of radiation that has closely targets in killing the tumor cells located in a small area. Individual beam of radiation is not very powerful, however when all the beams are put together to meet at the brain tumor, it provides an extensive dose of radiation that can kill the tumor cells.
Radiosurgery is often carried out in one session and patients can go home after the treatment on the same day.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is used to kill tumor cells with the help of certain medications. They are available in oral form and intravenous injection. The type of medicine that is given depending on the type of cancer. The side effects of chemotherapy vary on the kinds and dosage of the drugs. The general side effects are nausea, vomiting and loss of hair.
Undergoing the tests of the brain tumor cells can evaluate the potential results of chemotherapy it will have on the patient.
Targeted drug therapy
Targeted therapy is designed to focus on particular abnormalities that present in the cancer cells. Targeted therapy can kill cancer cells by hindering these abnormalities.
The tumor cells can be tested before the treatment is given, to discover if targeted therapy would be an effective treatment option for the certain type of brain tumor.
Rehabilitation
As it is normal for brain tumors to arise in areas of the brain that control motor skills, speech, vision and thinking, undergoing rehabilitation may become an essential step to recovery. The doctor will recommend rehabilitation program based on the needs of each patient.
- Physical therapy facilitates patients to regain motor skills or muscle strengths that they have lost.
- Occupational therapy helps patients to return to their normal everyday lives and carry on with their daily activities.
- Speech therapy is provided by speech pathologists to help patients who have difficulties speaking.
- Tutoring for school-age children will allow young patients to manage changes of their memory and thinking process.
