| A brain tumor can be either cancerous or | | | | spontaneously without thinking but a tumor in this |
| non-cancerous depending upon whether the tumor is | | | | part of the brain can make simple tasks that are |
| growing and spreading aggressively. If the tumor is | | | | taken for granted such as walking extremely difficult. |
| not aggressive then it will be termed 'benign' and | | | | The Brain stem is at the bottom of the brain and is |
| generally speaking a benign tumor is less serious but | | | | responsible for controlling basic things such as our |
| treatment may still be required. | | | | breathing, heartbeat, blood pressure and eye |
| Brain cancer is the term given to a malignant brain | | | | movement. It connects the cerebrum and cerebellum |
| tumor. If the tumor is growing and producing | | | | to the spinal cord. |
| abnormal cells, which spread and take over the space | | | | Statistically where adults are concerned most brain |
| of healthy cells then it will be termed 'malignant' or | | | | tumors grow in the cerebrum whereas in children |
| 'cancerous'. Cancerous brain tumors can originate | | | | they are more likely to occur in the cerebellum or |
| either directly from the brain (known as Primary | | | | brain stem. In adults it is also more common for a |
| tumors) or they can develop from a cancerous | | | | brain tumor to be secondary rather than primary |
| tumor elsewhere in the body and spread to the brain | | | | whereas in children it is the reverse. It is important to |
| (known as Secondary tumors). | | | | remember that brain tumors(brain cancer) remain a |
| They can grow anywhere in the brain and therefore | | | | rarity with approximately 4500 people diagnosed in |
| you can experience different symptoms depending | | | | the UK each year. |
| upon which area of the brain the tumor is situated. | | | | Some of the most common symptoms of a brain |
| The brain is divided into three main structures: | | | | tumor can be; headaches, sickness and drowsiness |
| 1. The Cerebrum (front) | | | | but these symptoms are very common in lots of |
| 2. The Cerebellum (back) | | | | other illnesses therefore the chance of it being |
| 3. The Brain Stem (bottom) | | | | because of a brain tumor is small. Nevertheless if you |
| Each part of the brain is responsible for different | | | | are worried or concerned you should seek medical |
| bodily functions. | | | | guidance. Other specific symptoms for a brain tumor |
| The Cerebrum is divided into two halves (the right | | | | can be problems with your sight including blurred |
| and left cerebral hemispheres). These are responsible | | | | vision, tunnel vision and floating shapes and/or fitting. |
| for a person's memory, emotions, senses, speech | | | | If you are experiencing any of these symptoms and |
| and thinking. Opposite sides of the cerebral | | | | you are concerned, you should speak to your doctor |
| hemispheres control opposite sides of the body so | | | | who will refer you to a specialist if necessary for |
| that the left cerebral hemisphere controls the right | | | | further tests ad investigations; which may include CT |
| hand side of the body and vice versa. Each | | | | and MRI scanning and/or a biopsy. |
| hemisphere is then sub-divided into 4 areas each one | | | | If a brain tumor is diagnosed various treatment |
| being responsible for controlling different aspects, | | | | options will be discussed with you. For primary |
| such as personality, sight, sense of smell and speech. | | | | tumors, surgery is usually considered as a first option |
| A brain tumor in this part of the brain can cause | | | | provided the tumor is not positioned at the skull base. |
| difficulties with speech, vision, hearing and behavior. | | | | For secondary tumors again surgery will usually be |
| The Cerebellum is at the back of the brain and is | | | | considered first together with radiotherapy and/or |
| largely responsible for a person's balance and | | | | chemotherapy. |
| co-ordination. Ordinarily these functions occur | | | | |