A brain tumor can be a noncancerous (benign) or cancerous (malignant) growth in the brain. It may originate in the brain or have spread (metastasized) to the brain from another part of the body.
Types of brain tumors
Primary brain tumors: These tumors begin in the brain, and they are classified according to the area of the brain in which they start to grow or which type of cell they affect.
The most common primary brain tumors are:
*Glioma. There are many tumors that belong to this type, including:
_Astrocytoma. _Oligodendroglioma. _Ependymoma. _Papilloma of choroid plexus.
Secondary brain tumors: These tumors are caused by cancer that starts in another part of the body, for example the lungs, but spreads to the brain. This is also known as metastatic brain cancer.
Brain Tumor Symptoms
Different parts of the brain control different functions, so brain tumor symptoms will vary depending on the tumor’s location. For example, a brain tumor located in the cerebellum at the back of the head may cause trouble with movement, walking, balance and coordination. If the tumor affects the optic pathway, which is responsible for sight, vision changes may occur.
The tumor’s size and how fast it’s growing also affect which symptoms a person will experience.
In general, the most common symptoms of a brain tumor may include:
_Headaches _Seizures or convulsions _Difficulty thinking, speaking or finding words _Personality or behavior changes _Weakness, numbness or paralysis in one part or one side of the body _Loss of balance, dizziness or unsteadiness _Loss of hearing _Vision changes _Confusion and disorientation _Memory loss
Causes of brain cancer
Some factors that can increase your risk of brain cancer include:
*some brain and spinal cord tumours are more common in people with certain inherited or genetic conditions
*people exposed to very high doses of radiation to the head.
Brain Tumor Treatment
The most common treatment for brain tumors is surgery. For some tumors, surgical removal and continued monitoring may be the only treatment needed. Common surgical approaches to brain tumor removal include craniotomy, neuroendoscopy, laser ablation and laser interstitial thermal therapy.
Chemotherapy and radiation therapy can be used to treat brain cancer by helping shrink the tumor, slowing down its growth and/or preventing it from coming back. External beam radiation therapy, stereotactic radiosurgery and proton therapy are some of the radiation treatments for brain tumor.
Prognosis for brain cancer
Prognosis means the expected outcome of a disease. An individual’s prognosis depends on the type and stage of cancer, as well as their age and general health at the time of diagnosis.
For benign tumours that can be completely removed, cure is likely. For malignant tumours, outcomes depend on how slowly or quickly the tumour develops and responds to treatment.
Living With
When should I see my healthcare provider about my brain tumor?
If you’ve been diagnosed with a brain tumor, you’ll need to see your healthcare team regularly to receive treatment and monitor your symptoms.
You should see your healthcare provider if your brain tumor symptoms get worse or you have new symptoms.
Even after brain tumor treatment, you should follow up with your healthcare provider regularly.
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