Brain Cancer Definition, Reason, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention
Understanding
Brain cancer is cancer that starts in brain cells. As brain cancer grows, the cancer cells can put pressure on the surrounding brain tissue. This condition causes signs and symptoms such as headache, nausea, and balance disturbances.
Brain cancer or malignancy of the brain can grow rapidly and spread to other parts of the brain and spine. In general, brain tumors are classified based on many things, including how fast they grow and how likely they are to grow back after treatment.
Most brain cancers are secondary brain cancers, which start from other parts of the body and spread to the brain. On the other hand, primary brain cancer is cancer that starts in the brain.
Most of malignancies in the brain develop from glial tissue, which is the network that supports nerve cells in the brain. Tumors arising from this tissue are known as gliomas.
Glioma can be divided further depending on the origin of the cell type. For example, astrocytomas develop from cells thought to form the framework of the brain.
Oligodendroglioma, which develops from the cells that make up the fatty lining of nerves; and ependymomas develop from cells that line clefts in the brain.
There is also the possibility of a malignant tumor that is a combination of these types or develops in other parts of the brain.
Symptom
Signs and symptoms of brain cancer depend on many things, including the size and location of the cancer in the brain. Some of the signs and symptoms that can occur in brain cancer are:
- Intense and persistent headache, on and on
- seizures
- Persistent, ongoing feeling of nausea, vomiting, and fatigue
- Mental or behavioral changes, such as memory problems or changes in personality
- Progressive weakness or paralysis on one side of the body, impaired vision or speech
Reason
Most of the malignancies in the brain are caused by cancer that starts from other parts of the body and spreads to the brain through the blood vessels. This is known as a secondary tumor. Cancers that can spread to the brain include lung cancer, breast cancer, colon cancer, and melanoma-type skin cancer.
Some malignant brain cancers that originate from brain cells (primary brain cancer) can be caused by benign brain tumors and develop into malignant ones. However, the reasons for the development of primary brain tumors are still not known with certainty.
Some factors that can increase the risk of developing brain cancer are:
- Age. Brain cancer can affect individuals of any age group, including children. However, the risk of this disease increases with age. Most brain cancers occur in individuals aged 50 and over.
- Family history. Individuals who have a family history of brain tumor are at higher risk of developing brain tumors.
- Radiotherapy. Individuals who have undergone radiotherapy exposure to the head have a higher risk of developing certain types of brain tumors later in life.
- Genetic conditions. Certain genetic conditions can increase the risk of developing brain tumors.
Diagnosis
Determining the diagnosis of brain cancer depends on a detailed medical interview, direct physical examination, and certain supporting examinations. Some of the physical examinations that can be carried out are checking the strength of the arms and legs, examining reflexes, such as knee joint reflexes, hearing, vision, skin sensitivity, balance and coordination, as well as memory and mental agility.
In addition, the doctor may also suggest several types of supporting examinations, including:
- Computerized Tomography (CT) scan, which creates an image or image of the brain using X-rays.
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), which creates detailed images of the brain using high-strength magnetic fields and radio waves.
- Electroencephalogram (EEG), which uses electrodes placed on the scalp to record brain activity and look for abnormalities.
- Biopsy, which is the removal of a small piece of tissue to check the type of tumor and determine the most effective treatment.
Treatment
Determining how to treat a brain tumor depends on many things, including size, location, malignancy, and many other factors. A person with a malignant brain tumor may need a surgical procedure to remove as much of the cancer cells as possible.
After that, radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy can be done to treat the remaining cancerous tissue. The goal of this treatment is to remove or kill as many tumor cells as possible. With so expected to eliminate cancer cells completely. However, this is not always possible and most malignant brain tumors return after treatment.
If the tumor reappears after treatment, or a secondary brain tumor occurs, in which the cancer has spread to the brain from other parts of the body, healing becomes more difficult. In these cases, treatment is aimed at controlling symptoms and prolonging life expectancy.
Prevention
The cause of primary brain tumors is not known with certainty. Likewise, most of the risk factors for brain tumors are things that cannot be specifically prevented. That’s why until now there is no effective mechanism for preventing brain tumors.