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Brain Tumour
By peace | December 12, 2006
A brain tumor is a mass of abnormal cells that is growing in or around the brain. It develops when abnormal cells multiply for unknown reasons. Benign and malignant are used to describe brain tumors. Benign brain tumors are usually slow growing with distinct borders, and have a normal appearance under a microscope. Malignant tumors are called brain cancer. They tend to be invasive into healthy areas of the brain and may grow rapidly. A benign tumor may be considered malignant if its size or location in a critical area of the brain may be life-threatening.
Primary brain tumors start within the brain. Secondary or metastatic brain tumors come from cells which have broken away from cancers within the body and traveled to the brain. Metastatic brain tumors are always considered malignant since they evolve from cancerous cell and grow rapidly.
Causes of Brain Tumor
Brain tumors are usually caused by a change in genetic structure. This change in genetic structure may be inherited, caused by the environment, or both. Only a low percentage (5%) of primary brain tumors are associated with inherited genes alone.
Mutated or missing genes result in abnormal cells. If abnormal cells have malignant potential, they will form a tumor when they multiply.
High-dose ionizing radiation, used to treat brain tumors, may on rare occasions be associated with the production of secondary brain tumors. This most often occurs from radiation treatments that are given over time. People exposed to certain chemicals, such as petrochemicals, pesticides and formaldehyde, appear to be at higher risk of developing a malignant brain tumor than those who are not exposed.
In laboratory experiments, some viruses caused brain tumors in animals. It is unknown whether viruses can cause brain tumors in humans. Electromagnetic fields have been under study for some time as there appears to be a connection to brain tumors.
There are many environmental and genetic factors that can cause brain tumors. However, in most cases, we just don’t know what causes a brain tumor.
Tumor Grading
Tumors are graded based on their microscopic appearances. The grade indicates the level of malignancy. Tumors are graded on their mitotic index (growth rate), vascularity (blood supply), presence of a necrotic center, invasive potential (border distinctness) and similarity to normal cells.
Malignant tumors may contain several grades of cells. The most malignant grade of cell found determines the grade for the entire tumor, even if most of the tumor is a lower grade.
In the World Health Organization grading system, grade I tumors are the least malignant. These tumors grow slowly and microscopically appear almost normal; surgery alone may be effective. However, even a grade I tumor may be life-threatening if it is inaccessible for surgery. Grade I tumors are often associated with long-term survival.
Grade II tumors grow slightly faster than grade I tumors and have a slightly abnormal microscopic appearance. These tumors may invade surrounding normal tissue, and may recur as a grade II or higher tumor.
Grade III tumors are malignant. These tumors contain actively reproducing abnormal cells and invade surrounding normal tissue. Grade III tumors frequently recur, often as grade IV tumors.
Grade IV tumors are the most malignant and invade wide areas of surrounding normal tissue. These tumors reproduce rapidly, appear very unusual microscopically and are necrotic (have dead cells) in the center. Grade IV tumors cause new blood vessels to form, to help maintain their rapid growth.
Signs and symptoms Of Brain Tumor
The signs and symptoms of a brain tumor depend on its size, location and rate of growth.
A brain tumor — primary or secondary — can cause a variety of signs and symptoms because it can directly press on or invade brain tissue. This can damage or destroy areas responsible for sight, movement, balance, speech, hearing, memory or behavior. Pressure from a brain tumor can also cause surrounding brain tissue to swell (edema), further increasing pressure and symptoms.
Signs and symptoms can include the following:
- New onset or change in pattern of headaches
- Headaches that gradually become more frequent and more severe
- Unexplained nausea or vomiting
- Vision problems, such as blurred vision, double vision or loss of peripheral vision
- Gradual loss of sensation or movement in an arm or a leg
- Difficulty with balance
- Speech difficulties
- Confusion in everyday matters
- Personality or behavior changes
- Seizures, especially in someone who doesn’t have a history of seizures — as with epilepsy, for example
- Hearing problems
- Hormonal (endocrine) disorders
Treatment Of Brain Tumor
Brain tumors are often challenging for doctors to treat. But many types of brain tumors can be successfully treated with one or more methods. In addition, technology is enabling doctors to target tumors more precisely.
Various treatments may be used to treat a malignant brain tumor. The type and number of treatments given is dependent upon many factors, including the size of the tumor, its growth rate and the symptoms the patient is experiencing. Patients should realize that there is more than one way to treat their tumors and should seek medical treatments where many options and a continuum of treatments are available.
Complications Of Brain Tumor
Your brain is divided into different parts that are responsible for a variety of functions. Depending on its size and location, a brain tumor can cause temporary or permanent brain damage.
The front part of your brain (frontal lobe) is responsible for helping you think and managing motor skills. A brain tumor in the frontal lobe may press on or invade brain tissue in this area, resulting in learning or memory difficulties. It may also make talking or walking difficult.
A brain tumor in the part of your brain called the occipital lobe — located in the back of your head — can result in vision problems because that area of your brain controls your ability to see and comprehend what you see.
Brain tumors may lead to an emergency complication known as hydrocephalus, which is the buildup of fluid in and around your brain. This occurs when a tumor blocks the flow of cerebrospinal fluid in and around your brain, causing fluid to build up within the confined spaces of your skull. This buildup can create pressure on delicate brain structures. The fluid must be drained to relieve pressure and reduce the risk of brain injury.
Another emergency situation that can be caused by brain tumors is bleeding in your brain. This might cause an extremely severe headache with an abrupt onset. If this occurs, seek emergency medical treatment.
Your brain as a unit controls everything you do. An aggressive tumor that destroys too much brain tissue can be deadly.
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