John Reagan • Sep 14, 2022
Brain tumors are the unnatural, uncontrolled growth of cells inside the brain. The signs and symptoms associated with brain tumors can range anywhere from headaches to coma. Read on to learn more about the most common types of adult brain tumors, their signs and symptoms and the treatment options available.
A brain tumor is a mass or growth of abnormal cells in the brain. Brain tumors can be benign or malignant. Benign tumors tend to not be cancerous. They grow slowly, have a low chance of recurrence, and can be treated in a variety of ways such as observation, surgery, or radiation. Malignant tumors, on the other hand, tend to recur within in the brain and surrounding tissue despite treatment. These tumors rarely, if ever, spread to other parts of the body.
Brain tumors can be either primary or secondary. Primary brain tumors originate in the brain and are usually named after the type of cell from which they form. Secondary brain tumors, more common than primary brain tumors in adults, are also called metastatic brain tumors. These tumors develop from cancer that starts in another part of the body and spreads to the brain.
A brain tumor can be a deadly disease and can be caused by a number of factors. The innate reason comes from an abnormality in the cell itself causing it to grow more than it should. The specific reason that this happens though is generally unclear but can be something a person is born with. Prior cancer in other body parts is another one of the most common causes of brain tumors. When cancerous cells from another part of the body spread to the brain, they can form a brain tumor.
This is most likely to happen if the cancer is in an advanced stage and has spread to other parts of the body, sometimes even before being diagnosed. Any type of cancer can lead to brain tumors, but the most common types include colon cancer, blood cancer, lung cancer, kidney cancer, melanoma, and breast cancer.
Over 150 types of brain tumors have been identified by researchers. They fall under two main categories, namely, Primary tumors and Metastatic (Secondary) tumors:
Primary brain tumors originate from the brain and surrounding tissue and can be divided into glial and non-glial. Glial cells are cells that support neurons through variation mechanisms such as insulation, repair, and nourishment. Non-glial cells are the structures we typically think of in the brain such as nerves and blood vessels.
Primary tumors follow various classification schemes, but in general are graded from Grade 1 (least aggressive) to Grade 4 (most aggressive). Again, the aggressive nature of higher-grade primary brain tumors is not from spread to other organs, but the chance of recurrence even after initial effective treatment.
Metastatic tumors result from cancer that spreads via various pathways into the brain or surrounding tissue. These types of tumors are more common than primary brain tumors as many body tumors can spread to the brain and nervous system. Fortunately, many of these tumors can be treated effectively with surgery and non-surgical options such as radiation. Given that these tumors have already spread from another part of the body, early proper treatment can minimize additional spread and allow for early adjuvant therapy if needed.
While brain tumors can be quite serious, they are not always life-threatening and some can be treated effectively if detected early.
A headache is a common symptom of a brain tumor from the tumor putting pressure on the surrounding tissue causing pain. Headaches can also lead to dizziness and vomiting.
Stumbling is a symptom of a brain tumor caused by the tumor pressing on the part of the brain that controls movement. This can cause the person to have difficulty walking and moving in a coordinated way.
If you have a brain tumor and your speech is affected, it may be because the tumor presses on the speech center of the brain. Depending on the location of the tumor, expressing speech, understanding speech, or even the sound of speech can all be affected. Speech problems are often the first sign that there is something wrong with the brain.
Brain tumors can cause increased intracranial pressure (ICP), which is from the tumor taking up room inside the skull or brain swelling. This can cause headaches, changes in vision, and behavioral changes such as irritability or difficulty concentrating. Other symptoms include nausea, vomiting, dizziness, agitation, or depression.
Some brain tumors can interfere with vision by causing blindness or double vision (diplopia). Vision loss may be temporary or permanent depending on the location of the tumor. If a tumor is in the occipital lobe, part of the back of the brain also known as the visual cortex, this can cause black spots in your vision, usually in both eyes.
Treating brain tumors is a delicate process. The goal of treatment is to remove as much of the tumor as safely possible while maintaining a healthy brain, which is achieved through surgery, radiation, and/or chemotherapy.
One of the most common treatments for brain tumors is surgery. The goal of surgery is to safely remove as much tumor as possible while preserving brain and nerve function. Neurosurgeons perform a procedure known as a craniotomy to do this.
The location of the tumor will often define how safe surgery is, how much tumor can be removed, and what type of craniotomy is required. Fortunately, with computerized 3D mapping and navigation, many tumors can be removed safely with minimally invasive techniques.
Radiation therapy uses high doses of targeted radiation to kill cancer cells, which can remain dormant in a tumor bed even after surgery has removed all signs of the disease. This type of treatment is often combined with chemotherapy.
Doctors will often recommend radiation therapy following surgery to a primary tumor or for a primary tumor in a delicate location that is not safe for surgery. For metastatic tumors, depending on the size and type of tumor, many of these can be treated with radiation alone. If surgery is performed, often radiation will follow to remove any microscopic disease.
Chemotherapy uses anticancer agents to kill cancer cells while minimizing harm to normal cells. This is often used for high grade primary tumors and metastatic tumors. While this treatment can be effective for some tumors, there is a separation between the brain and the rest of the body known as the blood-brain barrier which can make getting the chemotherapy to the brain tumor area more difficult.
It’s best to consult a doctor immediately if you experience any of the above-mentioned symptoms. The doctor will perform a neurological exam and may recommend a number of tests to determine the diagnosis. The doctor may then refer you to a specialist like a neurosurgeon if the reports indicate you have brain tumor.
We all love to live a healthy and happy life free from any kind of disease. It is important to take care of our bodies in the best way possible, and an important part of the process is to pay attention to any health problem or symptom arising in our body.
If you want to learn more about brain tumors and associated symptoms, then get in touch with IGEA Brain Spine & Orthopedics by visiting our website www.igeaneuro.com or calling us at (866) 467-1770. Our experts can help you deal with any brain, spine, or orthopedic condition and provide exceptional care that exceeds your expectations.