Brain Tumor Symptoms, Causes and Treatment

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Generally, cells in our body ages die and are replaced by the new ones. But with cancer, this cycle is disrupted. Brain tumor cells grow and unlike other normal cells, they don’t die. Eventually, cancerous cells keeps growing and more cell are added to this abnormal mass of tissue. Similarly, brain cancer is an abnormal growth of tissue in the brain or spine that can disrupt the proper functioning of the central nervous system. Read more to get detail information about brain tumor symptoms, causes and treatment in India.

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Types of Brain Tumors

When diagnosed with brain cancer, learning in detail about it can help in choosing the right neurosurgeon and deciding on the brain tumor treatment. Most of the hospitals across the globe use World Health Organization (WHO) or National Cancer Institute classification system. Depending on the origin of cancer cells and how they behave, WHO classifies from benign tumor (least aggressive) to malignant (most aggressive). Depending on the cell activity and how abnormal the cancerous cells are, the condition is also graded.

Depending on the where the cancerous growth has started and spread, there are 2 general groups:

  • Primary: Cancerous cells that begin in brain tissue are known as primary brain tumors. They can be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). Most of the primary brain tumors are named after the part of the brain or the type of brain cell from which they originate.

    1. Benign: They are the least aggressive type and originate from cells within or surrounding the brain. They do not contain cancer cells and grow very slowly.

    2. Malignant: They contain cancer cells and are life-threatening as they grow rapidly and invade brain tissue

  • Secondary: When cancerous growth originates from another part of the body, it known as a Metastatic or Secondary tumor. Such cases are more aggressive as compared to the Primary. When cancer cells spread to the brain from another tumor, the process is called metastasis.Treatment for metastatic brain tumor depends on where the cancer originated and how far it has spread. It also depends on patient’s age, type, size and location of the cancerous mass, general health and response to previous treatment.

Tumors are typically graded on the basis of how normal or abnormal the cells are. Grade gives an idea about rate of growth and spread. Basis the grade of the cancerous cells, brain tumor treatment is planned.

  • Grade 1 means the cells are growing very slowing. Long term survival of the patient is very likely.
  • Grade 2 means the growth of tumor cells is slow. However, the tumor may spread to nearby tissues or has higher probability of recurrence even after treatment.
  • Grade 3 means the brain cancer is actively growing and spreading to the nearby tissues. This type of tumor are likely to have recurrence.
  • Grade 4 means the cancerous cells are rapidly growing and spreading. The cell structure is also very abnormal.

Remember: In some cases the grade may change if the treatment is not started at right time. A lower grade tumor may get converted to a higher grade tumor.

For understanding of a common man, the treating doctor would typically classify in following categories:

  • Astrocytomas – Cancer arising from the cerebrum, the largest part of the brain, is known as astrocytomas. They can be of any grade. Seizure or abnormal changes in behaviour are typical symptoms. Grade 4 atrocytomas, are also known as Glioblastomas. Almost 80% of cases in adults are Glioblastomas.

  • Meningiomas – Most common type of brain cancer in adults. Commonly seen in adults in the age group of 40 to 70 years. Meningiomas arise from the layer of tissue covering the brain and spinal cord, are usually benign and slow growing. Meningiomas can be of grade 1,2 or 3. Typical symptoms are related to compression of adjacent tissues, affecting cranial nerves and blood vessels.

  • Schwannoma or Acoustic Neuroma – The cancer cells that arise from the protective layer around nerve fibres cause acoustic neuroma. Commonly seen in the age group of 40 to 70 years. Typical brain tumor symptoms include hearing loss, vertigo and lack of co-ordination.

The above mentioned are commonly found brain cancers in adults. In addition, a few rare types. This includes pitutary tumors and ependymomas.

Brain Tumor Causes

The exact cause of brain tumor is yet unknown! However, there are several risk factors that increase a person’s chances of contracting these cancerous cells. The risk factors include:

  1. Age: They are common in children and older individuals (60+ years of age).

  2. Gender: Men have increased risk of brain cancer. However, there are few types which are found more in women.

  3. Genetic Background: There are few of them that show increased linkage to genetic inheritance.

  4. Environmental Exposure: This is one of the most crucial risk factors that leads to the brain cancer. Exposure to chemicals likes solvents, pesticides (through inhalation or indirectly by consuming them) either at home or at work is one of the primary risk factors. Other environmental causes like allergens, viruses and infections might also lead to this disease.  

  5. Exposure to Electromagnetic and Ionising Radiations: EM radiations that emit from cell phone use or power lines have not yet been proven to increase the risk of getting this cancer disease; however it is controversial. Exposure to ionising radiations like X-rays also increases the chances.

  6. People with compromised immune system such as those suffering from AIDS are more likely to have this condition

  7. Radiation Therapy to the head received previously for any treatment can increase the risk of brain cancer

Did you know? Cell phone usage DOES NOT increase the risk of brain tumor. There has been no scientific proof. Although the usage of cell phone has grown drastically in last 10 years, the incidence of brain tumor has not seen a significant rise.

Brain Tumor Symptoms

Symptoms of brain tumor vary according to type and location of the cancerous mass. In some cases, there are minimal or no visible symptoms, until the mass becomes large in size and starts making its way to other parts of the brain and alters their functioning. In symptomatic cases, the beginning is very gradual and may be missed sometimes. While in other cases, these symptoms appear more frequently and can be confused with symptoms of stroke. The only way to be assured about the reason behind these symptoms is to undergo diagnostic testing after consultation with an experienced neurologist.

Brain Tumor Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Common Brain Tumor symptoms include:

  1. Headache
  2. Weakness
  3. Clumsiness
  4. Difficulty walking; loss of balance
  5. Seizures

Other signs and symptoms include:

  1. Changes in concentration, memory, attention or alertness
  2. Nausea or vomiting, especially early in the morning
  3. Abnormalities in vision; blurred vision
  4. Headaches which are severe in the morning
  5. Weakness or paralysis on one side of the body
  6. Difficulty in thinking, speaking or recalling words
  7. Gradual changes in intellectual or emotional capacity

Diagnosis of Brain Tumor 

Diagnosis can be a complicated process. Making a decision about the treatment process can also be overwhelming. It can be very confusing and frightening given a short of time to make critical decisions.

It may be diagnosed and evaluated using one or more of the following tests:

  1. MRI: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), is a medical imaging technique used in radiology to visualise internal structures of the body in detail.

  2. CT: Computed tomography (CT scan) is a medical imaging procedure that utilises computer-processed X-rays to produce tomographic images or ‘slices’ of specific areas of the body. Tomography refers to imaging by sections or sectioning.

  3. PET: Positron Emission Tomography (PET Scan) is a unique type of imaging test that helps doctors see how organs and tissues inside the body are actually working. It helps to differentiate between new growth and cells killed by radiation.

  4. Biopsy through surgery or Stereotactic biopsy

Brain Tumor Treatment

The treatment can be based on different factors:

  1. Age, overall health and medical history
  2. Type, location and size
  3. Nature of recurrence
  4. Tolerance level of the patient to certain medications, procedures or therapies

Specialists for treatment include neurosurgeons, medical oncologists and radiation oncologists. In addition to the specialist, the team may include other professionals such as a nurse, dietitian, mental health counsellor, physical therapist, occupational therapist, and/or speech therapist.

Treatment for the primary brain tumor may include:

  1. Steroids: Steroids are often used to reduce the buildup of fluids around a tumor (edema) sometimes caused by the brain tumor or other treatments. Steroids can temporarily relieve signs (eg, edema), improve neurological symptoms, promote a feeling of well-being, and increase appetite.

  2. Surgery: Surgery usually is the first step in treating most benign and many malignant cases.  It is often the preferred treatment when a tumor can be removed without any unnecessary risk of neurological damage.

Most common types of Surgeries are listed below:

Biopsy, Craniotomy, Craniectomy, Debulking, Complete Removal, Shunt, Ommaya Reservoir, Skull Base Surgery, Transsphenoidal Surgery and Laser Interstitial Thermal Therapy (LITT)

Get Brain Tumor Surgery Cost in India from Top Hospitals – FREE

Treatments for High-Level Tumors

Usually, tumors which are not aggressive can be treated with the watchful monitoring or the surgery alone. Grade 2 cases are monitored closely after surgery to make sure there is no recurrence.

Malignant cases are more difficult to remove and need treatments high-level treatment like radiation therapy, chemotherapy etc. Most of the treatments are intended to prolong and improve life as long as possible as microscopic cancer cells can remain even after surgery which will eventually grow back.

High-Level Brain Tumor treatments are

  • Radiation therapy: X-rays or other forms of radiations are used to destroy cancerous cells or their growth

  • Chemotherapy: In this, certain drugs are used to kill rapidly dividing cells. They can be consumed orally or through IV

  • Targeted therapy: In this, a specific element of a cell is focussed, such as molecules or pathways required for cell growth in order to use them as a target

  • Stereotactic Radiosurgery: As radiation cannot tell the difference between abnormal and healthy cells so it impacts both. That’s why scientists developed SRS, a special type of radiation that allows precisely focused, high-dose x-ray beams to be delivered to a small, localised area of the central nervous system. Because SRS focuses the beams more closely to the tumor than conventional radiation, it can deliver a higher, more effective dose of treatment to the site.

  • Proton Therapy: In proton therapy, beams of fast-moving protons are used to destroy abnormal cells. In this higher doses of radiation are delivered to the mass with limited damage to the surrounding healthy tissue and/or organs.

Latest Technologies for Brain Tumor Treatment

  • Brain Suite: It is one of a kind, latest technology used around the globe. It is an advanced operating theatre with a capability of intra-operative MR imaging and MR guided surgery. Surgeons can perform a high-resolution MRI during the surgery to assess the degree of tumor removal as well as avoid harming healthy tissues.
  • Endoscopic Neurosurgery Theatre: Endoscopy means looking inside and typically refers to looking inside the body for medical reasons using an Endoscope an instrument used to examine the interior of a hollow organ or cavity of the body. Endoscopic Neurosurgery is done with state-of-art operation theatre for endoscopic brain and spinal surgery. It uses a slender fibre-optic camera to improve visibility and guide access to hard-to-reach tumors.

  • Cyberknife: A revolutionary treatment for cancer patients, Cyberknife Robotic Radiosurgery System is world’s first such system, designed to treat tumors of all kinds anywhere in the body. With its unique precision and accuracy, it treats both static and moving Lesions and tumors, giving clinicians the power to treat patients non-invasively, with successful outcomes. It has high accuracy & efficacy for treating tumors in the central nervous system.
    CyberKnife treats intracranial (skull base) benign and malignant cases. It is used for spinal abnormalities and lesions of the cervical, thoracic and lumbar regions. CyberKnife is less risky than traditional surgery it can be a suitable option for the elderly. Age is not a crucial factor in excluding patients from CyberKnife treatments.

  • Synergy Linear System: This is a top-end highly versatile Linear accelerator designed for use in critical areas, such as the brain and spine. Clinical trials show high accuracy. Combined with a robotic couch, it is capable of finely calibrated movement. This system is a highly effective tool for Radiosurgery the nervous system.

Brain Tumor Survival Rate

The major factors that influence survival of the brain tumor are its type, location, whether it can be surgically removed or reduced in size, patient’s age, and other medical problems.

The long-term survival rate (greater than five years) for people with primary brain cancer is promising with aggressive surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. These treatments and rehabilitation counselling improves the quality of life to a great extent.

Read about: Brain Tumor – Frequently Asked Questions

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