BRAIN TUMORS

Brain Tumors

Nowadays, the most common problem among children is brain tumors or brain cancer. Approximately 2,200 children in the US are infected with a primary brain tumor each year.

A brain tumor is a growth of abnormal cells in your brain. Brain tumors are of many types. Some brain tumors are non- cancerous i.e. benign, which are also known to be a primary brain tumor. Primary brain tumor begins in your brain.

The other brain tumors are cancerous i.e. malignant or metastatic brain tumor, which are also known as secondary brain tumor. Secondary brain tumor can begin in any part of your body and spread to your brain.

Symptoms of Brain Tumors

The signs and symptoms of the brain tumor vary with the individual. It depends on the size, location and the rate of growth of the brain tumor.

Following are the common signs and symptoms of the brain tumor.

1.    Change in the pattern of headaches

2.    Frequent or severe headache

3.    Vision problems like blurred vision , loss of peripheral vision or double vision

4.    Unexplained nausea or vomiting

5.    Difficulty while balancing

6.    Difficulty in speech

7.    Gradual loss of sensation or movement of arms and legs

8.    Confusion

9.    Personality or behavior change

10. Hormonal disorders

11. Hearing problems

12. Seizures

Causes and Risk Factors of Brain Tumor

Exact cause of the brain tumor is unknown. However, studies suggest that there are many factors responsible for the development of the brain tumor in a person. Following are the risk factors of the brain tumor.

1. Age- Risk of the brain tumor increases with the increase in age. Majority of the brain tumor develops in people of above the 45 year. However, a brain tumor can occur at any age of the life.

2. Race- Usually, brain tumor occurs frequently in fair complexioned people as compared to others. One exception is meningioma, which occurs mostly in blacks

3. Exposure to the radiation- People who are exposed to a radiation called ionizing radiation have an increased risk of brain tumor. Example of the ionizing radiation includes radiation exposure that causes due to atomic bomb and radiation therapy is performed to treat cancer.

4. Chemical exposure on the job- People working in a chemical industry are at an increased risk of brain tumor, because of the chemicals they are exposed to on the job.

5. Family history of brain tumors- People having the family history of the brain tumor are also at the risk of brain tumor. A history of genetic syndromes increases the risk of brain tumors.

Diagnosis of brain tumors

A doctor can often identify signs and symptoms, which are specific to the location and size of the brain tumor. Some tumor may not show any sign or symptoms until they develop very large or are in advance stage. In some cases, symptoms of brain tumor develop very slowly.

Following are the test, which can be performed to confirm the presence of the brain tumor and to identify its location. It includes.

1. CT scan of the head

2. EEG

3. Examination of the cerebral spinal fluid which may reveal the cancerous cell

4. MRI of the head

5. Biopsy

Diagnosis of the brain tumor depends on the types of cells in which the tumor begins and the tumor location.

Treatments of Brain Tumors

Treatment of the brain tumors depends on the type, location, and size of the tumor, as well as the overall health of the person. The treatment may include.

1. Surgery- Surgery is the first step for the treatment of the brain tumor. The main aim of the surgery is to remove the maximum of tumor while maintaining a neurological function.

2. Chemotherapy

3. Radiation therapy

4. Radio surgery

5. Antibiotics

6. Steroids-  It is used to treat and prevent the swelling , specially of the brain

7. Ventriculoperitoneal shunt – It is also called as a VP shunt. A VP shunt can be placed in the head to drain excessive fluids from the brain. It helps to control the pressure inside the brain.

8. Anti-seizure medication – It is used to treat and prevent the seizures associated with brain tumors.

9. Bone marrow transplantation

10. Rehabilitation – It is used to regain the lost motor skills and muscle strength.

The earlier the brain tumors are detected, the more beneficial it will be to cure this disease.

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