What is brain tumor?
A brain tumor is a mass or growth of abnormal cells in your brain.Many different types of brain tumors exist. Some brain tumors are noncancerous (benign), and some brain tumors are cancerous (malignant).A brain tumor can start in your brain (primary brain tumor), or cancer can start in other parts of your body and spread to your brain (secondary, or metastatic, brain tumor).Brain tumor treatment options depend on the type of brain tumor you have, as well as its size and location.
Symptoms of brain tumor
Headache
Many people have a headache,sometimes this headache is worse in the morning.This is partly because the pressure in the brain increases when you lie down and a tumor can make it worse.
Nausea and Vomiting
Nausea and vomiting are two common symptoms of flu.However in rare cases these symptoms can be caused by a brain tumor that causes increased pressure inside the brain. If these symptoms persist or if the headache is also accompanied contact doctor.
Insomnia
If you are having trouble falling asleep for a long time or the body remains tired for a long time, then checkup with your doctor immediately.
Changes in vision power,hearing or language
The patient's discomfort depends on the location of the tumor.It can sometimes cause problems with seeing, hearing and speaking. However any disturbances or sudden changes in your vision, hearing and speech should be evaluated by a doctor.
Fits
When a brain tumor is on the surface of the brain it can cause fits.As such many actions including laughter can trigger fits. If you are experiencing fits,you must see a doctor.The cause may be a tumor or something else but fits should always be evaluated.
Types of brain tumor
There are two main types of brain tumors – primary and metastatic or secondary. Primary brain tumors arise within the brain. They can be unignited. A secondary brain tumor, also known as a metastatic brain tumor, occurs when cancer cells spread to another organ in your brain, such as your lungs or breast.
Primary tumors are classified into glial and non-glial tumors. Glial tumors or gliomas are those that arise in glial cells. These cells support the nervous system by enclosing and holding neurons, supplying nutrients and oxygen to nerve cells, removing dead neurons, and insulating neurons from each other.
Brain tumor treatment
Surgery
This is the most common treatment for malignant brain tumours. The surgeon removes as many cancer cells as possible without damaging the healthy brain tissue. Bleeding and infection are 2 possible side effects of surgery. Benign brain tumors can also be removed through surgery.
Minimally invasive surgery
Neuro surgeons use minimally invasive techniques to remove cancer cells for this brain tumor surgery. This technique shortens the length of your hospital stay.
Radiation therapy
In this type of brain tumor treatment, radiation, such as X-rays or proton beams is used to kill the tumor cells. This can be done by external beam radiation where you sit in front of a machine and wear a protective covering, leaving only the tumor area exposed.This therapy can also be done through brachytherapy – a device placed inside your body near the brain tumor that is irradiated to kill the tumor cells. Side-effects of this therapy include fatigue, memory loss, headache and scalp irritation.
Chemotherapy
In this, drugs are injected into the body or taken orally and they target and kill tumor cells. Chemotherapy causes side effects such as hair loss, vomiting, nausea and fatigue.
Targeted drug therapy
Some types of brain tumors are treated with drugs that target specific abnormalities in tumor cells by blocking them. This kills the cancer cells.
Radio surgery
This treatment focuses several beams of radiation on the brain tumor to kill the tumor cells. Various techniques like linear accelerator and gamma knife are used to treat brain tumors with radiation.