brain Tumor
A brain tumor is defined as tumor, which forms from cells within the brain or from other parts of the body that spread to the brain. Brain tumors might occur within the brain tissue. It also is also possible for the brain tumors to occur atsites near the brain tissue. Neighbouring structures are nerves, pituitary gland, pineal gland, and meninges – thin sheets that line the surface of the brain.
Primary brain cancers start in the brain. These are termed primary brain tumours. In other cases, the tumor may be secondary arising from other areas within the body and migrating to the brain. These tumors are primary brain tumors, also known as metastatic brain tumors.
Despite the volume of work that has been done on primary brain tumors, there are many different kinds of such tumors. Not all of the brain tumors are cancerous. These are also referred to as non-Cancerous or benign brain tumours. Benign brain tumors may grow over time, and grown can put pressure on the tissues found in the brain. Other types of primary brain tumors are brain cancers otherwise known as malignant brain tumors. Often, brain cancers are rapid growing tumors. The cancer cells can also invade an impacts the brain tissue.
Meningiomas may be of different sizes, or be tiny or huge in size. Some brain tumours are detected early when they are still small because they have signs that you see instantly. Some tumours occur in the brain and are known to develop to unbelievable sizes before any discovers them. There are regions in the human brain that are least active. That is why if a tumour develops in an area that does not control many functions, the patient might not show any signs at first. The brain tumor size could reach very big before the tumor is identified.
Surgical management of brain tumor differs according to the type of brain tumor, the size and location of the tumor. Treatments, which are frequently used, are surgery and irradiation.
Types
The types of brain tumors are numerous. Brain tumor is classified by the kind of cells forming the tumor. Some tests and characterizations are done on the tumor cells; they may provide details concerning the cells. This information helps your health care team determine what type of brain tumor you have.
Some of the types of the tumor are normally not cancers that affect the brain. It is referred to as brain tumors that are not cancerous or benign brain tumors in medical parlance. Certain kinds of the brain tumour often tend to be malignant. These types are therefore referred to as brain cancers or malignant brain tumours. Certain types of brain tumor are categorized as being either primary or secondary as well as being cancerous or Non-cancerous.
Most benign brain tumors are generally classified as slow growing brain tumors. Most primary intracranial neoplasms are malignant that most malignant tumours of the brain are fast-growing tumours.
Glioblastoma brain tumor
Glioblastoma
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Child with a medulloblastoma tumor headache
Medulloblastoma
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Acoustic neuroma is a benign tumour of the nerves that connect the inner ear to the brain.
Ear: Acoustic neuroma also referred to as vestibular schwannoma.
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Types of brain tumors include:
Astrocytomas and other gliomas as well as similar tumors. Gliomas are tumors in the shape of the cells known as glial cells. These cells accompany and enclose nerve cells in the brain tissue. There is astrocytoma, glioblastoma, oligodendroglioma and ependymoma among gliomas and the types of brain tumor. Gliomas are simply tumours that start in the glial cells and can be benign though most of them are malignant. Despite the advances in diagnosis and treatment the glioblastoma also known as GBM is the most prevalent kind of malignant brain tumor.
Choroid plexus tumors. Choroid plexus tumours originate from cells which produce the liquid that enfolds the mind and spinal cord. This fluid is known as cerebrospinal fluid. Choroid plexus tumors can be found in areas called the ventricles which are fluid filled cavities in the brain. The tumours formed in the choroid plexus can either be benign or malignant. Choroid plexus carcinoma is the malignantversion of this type of brain tumor. It’s more common in children.
Embryonal tumors. Embryonal tumors occur in cells that essentially do not develop during fetal development. The cells known as embryonal cells remain in the brain following birth. Malignant brain tumours which affect most babies and very young children are termed as embryonal tumours. The commonest form of embryonal tumor is medulloblastoma. It is normally found in the lower rear of head, the region known as the cerebellum.
Germ cell tumors. Germ cell tumors are cancers that begins in the reproductive cells, known as germ cells that develop into sperm and eggs. Germ cells are mainly located in the ovaries and the testicles. But sometimes they’re in other parts of the body like the brain. When germ cell tumors occur in relation to the brain it is most common for them to occur near the pineal gland or the pituitary gland. A majority of the germ cell tumors identified are non-cancerous. It is more frequent in children.
Pineal tumors. Pineal tumours involve a growth of a of mass in and around the pineal gland, which is in the brain. Pineal gland is described to be in the middle of the brain. It synthesizes a hormone that is used in inducing sleep known as melatonin. Benign and malignant pineal tumors can coexist. Pineoblastoma is a type of tumour located in the pineal region that is more prevalent in children and is malignante.
Meningiomas. Meningiomas are selfish forms of tumor that arise from the membranes of the brain and spinal cord. Meningiomas can be either benign, or malignant although the latter is quite rare. Meningiomas are the most frequently encountered benign neoplastic lesion of the central nervous system.
Nerve tumors. Tumors that develop in this facial region include nerve tumors which are developments that occur in and around nerves. The most frequent is acoustic neuroma also known as schwannoma, occurring in the head. This is a noncancerous growth that originates on the major nerve that joins the inner ear to the brain.
Pituitary tumors. It is also important to note that pituitary tumors can start in and around this gland. It is a very small gland situated at the base of the brain. Many cancerous growths that occur in and around this gland are non-cancerous growths. Pituitary tumours can also be classed according to where the tumour develops, in this case, pituitary tumours occur in the pituitary gland. It is a tumour that develops in the brain just under the pituitary gland, and is sometimes referred to as craniopharyngioma.
Other brain tumors. There are many other forms of rare tumors that can occur in or around the brain. Some tumours can develop in the muscles, blood vessels and any connective tissue present in the brain. Cancer can develop at the skull as well as in other areas of the body. Primary brain tumours of malignant nature are known to have its origin from the Astrocytes which are the germ cells that fight germs in the brain. This type of cancer of the brain is called primary central nervous system lymphoma.
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Symptoms
That is, the manifestations of a brain tumor depend on the type and size of the neoplasm and its location. Symptoms also might depend on how fast the new growths are growing, or the tumor grade.
General signs and symptoms caused by brain tumors may include:
Head, ache or pressure in head or more severe in the morning.
Recurring headache or one that is becoming worse than before.
E70 – Temporomandalgia: Headaches that are sometimes classified as tension or migraines.
Nausea or vomiting.
Blurred vision, double vision or seeing less clearly on the periphery.
Sudden weakness or paralysis of an arm or a leg.
Trouble with balance.
Speech problems.
Feeling very tired.
Sensitiveness in ordinary affairs.
Memory problems.
Easily distracted; does not come when called; has difficulty understanding and responding to basic, familiar cues.
Abnormal behavior patterns or traits occurs.
In particular, such conditions as seizures if one has never had them before.
Hearing problems.
A spinning sensation or the feeling where motion has stopped but everything around is still turning, vertigo.
Emotions of feeling very hungry, and overweight.
Benign brain tumors produce symptoms that take time to appear in the patient. Other brain tumours also are known as benign tumours that is tumours that are not cancerous. They might have mild signs that you may not easily identify at initial stages. The symptoms may become more chronic in months or years.
Malignant tumors of the brain result in signs which progress rapidly. Cancerous brain tumors also are known as primary brain cancer or primary brain tumor or malignant brain tumor. They trigger expressions of symptoms which occur on the spur of the moment. They worsen in days or at most weeks, depending on how long the patient is diagnosed.
Brain tumor headaches
Headache is the most frequent sign of a brain tumor. Only head in every two patients development brain tumors will develop a headache. For example, if a brain tumor that develops becomes large enough it can cause headaches, because it puts pressure on other cells and tissues near it. Or a tumour in the brain can lead to brain oedema and this translates to increase pressure in the head and results in a headache.
Secondary, headache which results from a brain tumor usually wakes you in the morning and is normally worse during this time. But it may do so at any time. There are individuals who have sleeping headache. The signs that may be associated with a brain tumor are headaches that worsen upon coughing or straining. The headache is most frequently described as a tension-type by people with brain tumors. Other people state that the headache feels more like migraine.
Cranial postion back might result to headache with neck pain if one has brain tumors. If the brain tumor occurs at the front part head, the headache may feel like eye or sinus problems.
Symptoms of particular brain tumour depend on its location
Lobes in the brain
Brain lobes
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The larger part of the head is known as the cerebrum. Tumors in the different regions of the cerebrum may give different symptoms.
Brain tumours that are located anterior to the venous confluence. Frontal lobes are the parts of the brain which is found at the front sides of the brain. They dominate thoughts and actions. They are likely to include balance disorders and gait disturbances if the frontal lobe tumors are present. Some of the changes may include; Having different personality; Forgetting things and not being interested in the usual activities. Often, members of the patient’s family feel like something in the behavior or demeanor of that individual with a brain tumor has changed.
Tumours affecting the centre of the brain. The parietal lobes are located in the superior Medial portion of the brain. They assist to filter data on touch, taste, smell, vision, an hearing. A tumor around the parietal lobe of the brain can lead to complaints associated with the feeling. These may include vision issues and or hearing impairments.
Tumours on the posterior cranial fossa. The occipital lobes are located posterior to the brains. They control vision. Tumours that form in the occipital lobe can result in blind spots and can lead to blindness.
Cerebral neoplasms that affect the base of the brain. The temporal lobes can be found at the sides of the brain. They analyze and scrutinise memories and impulses. Bio: Temporal lobe brain tumours may lead to memory issues. They might make someone hear a sound, feel the presence of something, or even actually see, taste or smell something that is not really there. At other times the taste or smell might be bad or even strange.
When to see a doctor
You should contact your health care provider if you have gotten constant signs and symptoms that bother you.
