| The growth of abnormal cells in the tissues | | | | • Gradual loss of sensation or movement |
| of the brain. Brain tumors can be benign | | | | in an arm or a leg |
| (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). | | | | |
| | | | • Difficulty with balance |
| Brain tumors are classified depending on the | | | | |
| exact site of the tumor, the type of tissue | | | | • Speech difficulties |
| involved, benign or malignant tendencies of | | | | |
| the tumor, and other factors. Primary brain | | | | • Confusion in everyday matter. |
| tumors can arise from the brain cells, the | | | | |
| meninges (membranes around the brain), | | | | Diagnosis |
| nerves, or glands. | | | | |
| | | | Computed tomography (CT Scan): A computerized |
| Causes of Brain Tumor | | | | x-ray machine is used to take a series of |
| | | | detailed pictures from many different angles. |
| The cause of primary brain tumors is unknown. | | | | Dye may be injected to help to clarify organs |
| This is because they are rare, there are many | | | | and tissues. |
| types, and there are many possible risk | | | | |
| factors that could play a role. Exposure to | | | | Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): Powerful |
| some types of radiation, head injuries, and | | | | magnets waves are used to make a series of |
| hormone replacement therapy may be risk | | | | detailed pictures. Patients are injected with |
| factors, as well as many others. The risk of | | | | a substance called gadolinium to highlight |
| using cell phones is hotly debated. | | | | possible cancer cells. |
| | | | |
| Genetic mutations and deletions of tumor | | | | Angiogram. This imaging test uses a dye to |
| suppressor genes (i.e., genes that suppress | | | | visualize all the blood vessels in the brain |
| the development of malignant cells) increase | | | | to detect certain types of tumors. |
| the risk for some types of brain cancer. | | | | |
| Inherited diseases that are associated with | | | | Lumbar puncture/spinal tap. For this |
| brain tumors include the following: | | | | procedure, a special needle is placed into |
| | | | the lower back and into the spinal canal |
| • Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 | | | | around the spinal cord. A small amount of |
| (pituitary adenoma) | | | | cerebrospinal fluid, which surrounds the |
| | | | brain and spinal cord, can be removed and |
| • Neurofibromatosis type 2 (brain and | | | | sent for testing. |
| spinal cord tumors) | | | | |
| | | | Treatment |
| • Retinoblastoma (malignant retinal | | | | |
| glioma) | | | | Surgery is required to determine whether a |
| | | | brain tumor exists and what type of tumor it |
| • Tuberous sclerosis (primary brain | | | | is. A small sample of tumor tissue may be |
| tumors) | | | | surgically removed and examined under a |
| | | | microscope. This is called a biopsy. |
| • Von Hippel-Lindau disease (retinal | | | | Sometimes a biopsy is done by making a small |
| tumor, CNS tumors) | | | | hole in the skull and using a needle to |
| | | | extract a sample of the tumor. |
| Signs and Symptoms of Brain Tumor | | | | |
| | | | Radiation therapy is a cancer treatment that |
| Signs and symptoms can include the following: | | | | uses high-energy x-rays or other types of |
| | | | radiation to kill cancer cells. There are two |
| • New onset or change in pattern of | | | | types of radiation therapy. External |
| headaches | | | | radiation therapy uses a machine outside the |
| | | | body to send radiation toward the cancer. |
| • Headaches that gradually become more | | | | Internal radiation therapy uses a radioactive |
| frequent and more severe | | | | substance sealed in needles, seeds, wires, or |
| | | | catheters that are placed directly into or |
| • Unexplained nausea or vomiting | | | | near the cancer. The way the radiation |
| | | | therapy is given depends on the type and |
| • Vision problems, such as blurred | | | | stage of the cancer being treated. |
| vision, double vision or loss of peripheral | | | | |
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