A brain tumor is a group of abnormal cells in the brain. There are many different types of brain tumors that exist in the human brain. Some brain tumors are cancerous known as malignant and some brain tumors are noncancerous known as benign. These tumors can begin in the brain as primary brain tumors, or cancer can begin in other parts of the body and spread to the brain as secondary or metastatic brain tumors.
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How fast a brain tumor grows can vary greatly. The growth rate, as well as the location of a brain tumor, determine how it will affect the function of your nervous system.
The treatment of brain tumor depends on the type of brain tumor you have, as well as its size and location.
What is Brain Tumor?
In medical term, a brain tumor is a collection or the mass of abnormal cells in the brain. The skull is very rigid and any growth inside it, restricted space can cause problems. These tumors can be cancerous (malignant) or noncancerous (benign) and thus can cause brain damage which can be a life-threatening situation. These tumors are classified into primary or secondary.
What are the Symptoms of Brain Tumor?
There are several symptoms of this disease including;
- Nausea
- Changes in vision, hearing, and speech
- Problems in balancing or walking
- Changes in personality, mood, or ability to concentrate
- Muscle jerking or twitching
- Problems with memory
- Numbness
- Clumsiness
- Confusion
- Decreased alertness
- Muscle weakness
What are the Types of Brain Tumor?
There are several types of tumors including;
- Acoustic neuroma
- Brain metastases
- Craniopharyngioma
- Astrocytoma
- Embryonal tumors
- Glioblastoma
- Ependymoma
- Glioma
- Meningioma
- Oligodendroglioma
- Choroid plexus carcinoma
- Pediatric brain tumors
- Medulloblastoma
- Pineoblastoma
- Pituitary tumors
What are the Causes of Brain Tumor?
The main cause of the tumor is unknown, whereas primary brain tumors start in the brain itself or in tissues close to the brain, like in the meninges, pituitary gland, pineal gland, and cranial nerves.
Primary brain tumors begin when normal cells show mutations in their DNA. These mutations allow cells to grow and divide to continue living when healthy cells would die. This results in the development of the mass of abnormal cells, which forms a tumor.
Well, in adults, primary tumors are less common than secondary tumors, in which cancer begins elsewhere and spreads to the brain.
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How to Diagnose the Brain Tumor?
If you are suffering or having symptoms, your doctor may carry out a neurological exam. It includes the test of the nervous system, and a doctor will look for problems that are caused by brain tumors including;
- Limb strength
- Reflexes
- Hearing
- Hand strength
- Vision
- Balance
- Coordination
- Skin sensitivity
- Mental agility
- Memory
After these tests, your doctor may schedule further exams, including:
CT Scan: Computerized tomography (CT) scan provide a detailed X-ray picture of the patient’s brain.
MRI Scan: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) produces a detailed image of the brain by using a strong magnetic field and radio waves.
EEG: An electroencephalogram helps in recording the brain activity by using electrodes in search of abnormalities.
What are the Treatments of Brain Tumor?
The treatment of the tumor depends on several things including;
- Type of a tumor
- Size of a tumor
- Location of a tumor
- Patient’s general health
The most common treatment is surgery. The aim of the surgery is to remove cancer without causing damage to the healthy parts of the brain.
During surgery, the location of some tumors allows for safe and easy removal, while other tumors may be located in an area that limits in the removal. Even the partial removal of cancer can be beneficial.
Risks of brain surgery include bleeding and infection. Clinically dangerous tumors are also surgically removed. Surgery can be combined with other treatments like chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
Physical therapy, speech therapy, and occupational therapy can help you to recover after neurosurgery.
Conclusion:
The brain tumor is defined as the growth of abnormal cells within the brain or the spinal cord. This tumor can be dangerous as it intercepts the proper function of the brain. These tumors are often referred to as malignant that are cancerous or benign that are noncancerous. It can also be primary or secondary.
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