Brain Tumor - Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment

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