A brain tumor is an abnormal or uncontrolled growth of cells in the brain. In a healthy human body, normal cells age or die. New cells are formed in their place.
Sometimes this process fails. Some new cells are produced even when the body does not need them. Old cells do not die abnormally. Such extra cells sometimes form into a cyst. This is called a growth or tumor. There are two types of these: benign tumor and cancerous. Brain tumor is a dangerous disease. Many patients die within 9-12 months despite various treatments. Less than 3 percent survive for more than 3 years.
Cancer is further classified into two types. A primary brain tumor that starts in the brain and a secondary cancer that starts elsewhere in the body and spreads throughout the body called a metastatic brain tumor. Primary brain tumors can also be of different types. They are classified by the type of cells or the location in the brain where the tumor is found or starts. For example, if a brain tumor starts in the brain tissue, it is called a neurocarcinoma. There are many types of cancer depending on the part of the brain where the cancer occurs.
Some facts about brain tumor
* Brain tumor can occur at any age.
* The cause of brain tumor is not clear
* Hereditary factors play an important role. The radiation hazard has not yet been proven.
* Symptoms depend on the size, type and location of the brain tumor.
* The most common brain tumors in adults are neurofibroma, brain stem tumor and neuroblastoma
* Primary brain tumors in children are basal cell carcinoma, neuroblastoma type I or II, multinucleated tumors, brain stem nuclear neuroblastoma.
* Brain tumors are diagnosed by medical history, physical examination, and a variety of specialized tests.
* Meningioma is treated with surgery, radiation, chemotherapy or a combination of these.
Symptoms
* Common symptoms of brain cancer are:
* Headache (usually worse in the morning)
* Nausea and vomiting
* Change in speech, vision, hearing
* Trouble maintaining balance or gait
* Change in mood, personality, mood
* Memory problems
* Muscle twitching, pain (convulsions)
* Absence of glands in hands or feet
* Abnormal fatigue.
The symptom of the tumor is related to its location.
Each part of our brain controls a specific task. A tumor can affect a specific part of the brain. Thus normal functions may be affected. Some of the symptoms depending on the location are as follows:
Brainstem
* Lack of coordination while walking
* Double vision
* Difficulty in swallowing and speaking
* Facial weakness – one sided smile
* Eyelid weakness – Difficulty closing the eye.
cerebellum
* Blinking, a reflex action of the eyes
* Vomiting, neck stiffness
* Lack of coherence in gait and speech
Forehead flap
* Speech difficulty and memory problem
* Abnormal sensations-fear, eye twitching, strange smell occipital lobe
* Gradual loss of vision in one eye.
Head wall flap
* Trouble reading, writing, or doing simple calculations
* Difficulty finding directions
* Numbness on one side of the body
* Difficulty understanding and speaking words.
Frontal lobe
* Weakness and weakness on one side of the body
* Personality change
* Loss of sense of smell.
Reasons
There is no specific cause of brain tumor. Certain types of tumors are thought to be caused by mutations in certain genes. There is a large debate about the role of radiation from gadgets like cell phones in many types of cancer, including brain tumors. However , this is yet to be proven. Research is going on in this field. Like other cancers, brain cancer is not contagious.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis is based on history, symptoms, physical and neurological examination, and with the help of techniques such as MRI, CT scan, angiogram or spinal tap.
Neurological examination: These include tests of vision, hearing, attention, muscle strength, coordination, reflexes. The nerve connecting the eye and the brain will be examined for inflammation of the eye due to compression by the tumor.
Angiography: This is an imaging technique. A dye is injected into the bloodstream. If there is a tumor, the image will show the tumor or vessels that carry blood to the tumor.
Lumbar puncture: Cerebrospinal fluid is collected and diagnosed through a technique called a lumbar puncture. A long
thin needle is used for this. It takes 30 minutes. Magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography (MRI and CT scan) are very helpful in diagnosing brain tumors .
Disease management
Treatment for brain tumors depends on the type, stage, location of the tumor and the general health of the patient.
Some treatments for brain tumors
Surgery: The first line of treatment for both benign and malignant primary brain tumors is surgery. The majority of the tumor is removed and the nerves are allowed to continue functioning.
Radiotherapy: High-energy beams of radiation are focused on cancerous tissues to stop them from growing. Chemotherapy: Anticancer drugs are used to kill or stop tumors from growing. Stimulants: Stimulants are commonly used to reduce and prevent inflammation around the brain tumor.
Anti-seizure medication: It is prescribed for people with epilepsy.Cerebral tourniquet: A tourniquet is placed on the head to drain excess fluid in the brain and control the pressure.Encouraging care: Encourage supportive care such as physical therapy, spiritual support, counseling for patients suffering from encephalitis.