Brain Tumor

Brain tumor facts Medically Edited by: Charles P. Davis, MD, PhD

• Primary brain tumors can be either malignant (contain cancer cells) or benign (do not contain cancer cells).
• Brain tumors can occur at any age.
• The exact cause of brain tumors is not clear.
• Physicians group brain tumors by grade (the way the cells look under a microscope).
• Brain tumors are classified as grade I, grade II, or grade III, or grade IV
• There most common type of primary brain tumors among adults are astrocytoma, meningioma, and oligodendroglioma.
• The most common type of primary brain tumors in children are medulloblastoma, grade I or II astrocytoma, ependymoma, and brain stem glioma.
• Studies have found risk factors for brain tumors to include ionizing radiation from high dose X-rays (for example, radiation therapy where the machine is aimed at the head), and family history.
• The symptoms of brain tumors depend on their size, type, and location.
• The most common symptoms of brain tumors include headaches; numbness or tingling in the arms or legs; seizures, memory problems; mood and personality changes; balance and walking problems; nausea and vomiting; changes in speech, vision, or hearing.
• Brain tumors are diagnosed by the doctor based on the results of a medical history and physical examination and results of a variety of specialized tests of the brain and nervous system.
• Treatment of a brain tumor depends on the type, location, and size of the tumor, as well as the age and health of the patient.
• Options for brain tumor treatment include surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy (or a combination of treatments).

Types of primary brain tumors

There are many types of primary brain tumors. Primary brain tumors are named according to the type of cells or the part of the brain in which they begin. For example, most primary brain tumors begin in glial cells. This type of tumor is called a glioma.
Among adults, the most common types are:

• Astrocytoma: The tumor arises from star-shaped glial cells called astrocytes. It can be any grade. In adults, an astrocytoma most often arises in the cerebrum.
  • Grade I or II astrocytoma: It may be called a low-grade glioma.
  • Grade III astrocytoma: It's sometimes called a high-grade or an anaplastic astrocytoma.
  • Grade IV astrocytoma: It may be called a glioblastoma or malignant astrocytic glioma.
• Meningioma: The tumor arises in the meninges. It can be grade I, II, or III. It's usually benign (grade I) and grows slowly.
• Oligodendroglioma: The tumor arises from cells that make the fatty substance that covers and protects nerves. It usually occurs in the cerebrum. It's most common in middle-aged adults. It can be grade II or III.

Among children, the most common types are:

• Medulloblastoma: The tumor usually arises in the cerebellum. It's sometimes called a primitive neuroectodermal tumor. It is grade IV.
• Grade I or II astrocytoma: In children, this lowgrade tumor occurs anywhere in the brain. The most common astrocytoma among children is juvenile pilocytic astrocytoma. It's grade I.
• Ependymoma: The tumor arises from cells that line the ventricles or the central canal of the spinal cord. It's most commonly found in children and young adults. It can be grade I, II, or III.
• Brain stem glioma: The tumor occurs in the lowest part of the brain. It can be a low-grade or high-grade tumor. The most common type is diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma.

What are the risk factors for brain tumors?

When you're told that you have a brain tumor, it's natural to wonder what may have caused your disease. But no one knows the exact causes of brain tumors. Doctors seldom know why one person develops a brain tumor and another doesn't.
Researchers are studying whether people with certain risk factors are more likely than others to develop a brain tumor. A risk factor is something that may increase the chance of getting a disease.
Studies have found the following risk factors for brain tumors:

• Ionizing radiation: Ionizing radiation from high dose x-rays (such as radiation therapy from a large machine aimed at the head) and other sources can cause cell damage that leads to a tumor. People exposed to ionizing radiation may have an increased risk of a brain tumor, such as meningioma or glioma.
• Family history: It is rare for brain tumors to run in a family. Only a very small number of families have several members with brain tumors.

Researchers are studying whether using cell phones, having had a head injury, or having been exposed to certain chemicals at work or to magnetic fields are important risk factors. Studies have not shown consistent links between these possible risk factors and brain tumors, but additional research is needed.

What are the symptoms of a brain tumor?

The symptoms of a brain tumor depend on tumor size, type, and location. Symptoms may be caused when a tumor presses on a nerve or harms a part of the brain. Also, they may be caused when a tumor blocks the fluid that flows through and around the brain, or when the brain swells because of the buildup of fluid.
These are the most common symptoms of brain tumors:

• Headaches (usually worse in the morning)
• Nausea and vomiting
• Changes in speech, vision, or hearing
• Problems balancing or walking
• Changes in mood, personality, or ability to concentrate
• Problems with memory
• Muscle jerking or twitching (seizures or convulsions)
• Numbness or tingling in the arms or legs

Most often, these symptoms are not due to a brain tumor. Another health problem could cause them. If you have any of these symptoms, you should tell your doctor so that problems can be diagnosed and treated.

What is the treatment for a brain tumor?

People with brain tumors have several treatment options. The options are surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. Many people get a combination of treatments.
The choice of treatment depends mainly on the following:

• The type and grade of brain tumor
• Its location in the brain
• Its size
• Your age and general health

For some types of brain cancer, the doctor also needs to know whether cancer cells were found in the cerebrospinal fluid.
Your doctor can describe your treatment choices, the expected results, and the possible side effects. Because cancer therapy often damages healthy cells and tissues, side effects are common. Before treatment starts, ask your health care team about possible side effects and how treatment may change your normal activities. You and your health care team can work together to develop a treatment plan that meets your medical and personal needs.
You may want to talk with your doctor about taking part in a clinical trial, a research study of new treatment methods. See the Taking Part in Cancer Research section.
Your doctor may refer you to a specialist, or you may ask for a referral. Specialists who treat brain tumors include neurologists, neurosurgeons, neuro-oncologists, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, and neuroradiologists.
Your health care team may also include an oncology nurse, a registered dietitian, a mental health counselor, a social worker, a physical therapist, an occupational therapist, a speech therapist, and a physical medicine specialist. Also, children may need tutors to help with schoolwork. (The Rehabilitation section has more information about therapists and tutors.)
You may want to ask your doctor these questions before you begin treatment:

• What type of brain tumor do I have?
• Is it benign or malignant?
• What is the grade of the tumor?
• What are my treatment choices? Which do you recommend for me? Why?
• What are the expected benefits of each kind of treatment?
• What can I do to prepare for treatment?
• Will I need to stay in the hospital? If so, for how long?
• What are the risks and possible side effects of each treatment? How can side effects be managed?
• What is the treatment likely to cost? Will my insurance cover it?
• How will treatment affect my normal activities? What is the chance that I will have to learn how to walk, speak, read, or write after treatment?
• Would a research study (clinical trial) be appropriate for me?
• Can you recommend other doctors who could give me a second opinion about my treatment options? How often should I have checkups?

Nutrition during brain tumor treatment

It's important for you to take care of yourself by eating well. You need the right amount of calories to maintain a good weight. You also need enough protein to keep up your strength. Eating well may help you feel better and have more energy.
Sometimes, especially during or soon after treatment, you may not feel like eating. You may be uncomfortable or tired. You may find that foods don't taste as good as they used to. In addition, the side effects of treatment (such as poor appetite, nausea, vomiting, or mouth blisters) can make it hard to eat well. Your doctor, a registered dietitian, or another health care provider can suggest ways to deal with these problems.

What supportive care is available for patients and caregivers?

A brain tumor and its treatment can lead to other health problems. You may receive supportive care to prevent or control these problems.
You can have supportive care before, during, and after cancer treatment. It can improve your comfort and quality of life during treatment.
Your health care team can help you with the following problems:

• Swelling of the brain: Many people with brain tumors need steroids to help relieve swelling of the brain.
• Seizures: Brain tumors can cause seizures (convulsions). Certain drugs can help prevent or control seizures.
• Fluid buildup in the skull: If fluid builds up in the skull, the surgeon may place a shunt to drain the fluid. Information about shunts is in the Surgery part of the Treatment section.
• Sadness and other feelings: It's normal to feel sad, anxious, or confused after a diagnosis of a serious illness. Some people find it helpful to talk about their feelings. See the Sources of Support section for more information.

Many people with brain tumors receive supportive care along with treatments intended to slow the progress of the disease. Some decide not to have antitumor treatment and receive only supportive care to manage their symptoms.


sources: http://www.medicinenet.com/brain_tumor/article.htm

Take One Mitutes To Share This Post

​

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​