What is Brain Cancer
Brain cancer is a disease in which we see cancerous/malignant tumors in the brain. Some brain cancers occur when a type of cell alters its normal characteristics. These are abnormal cells that grow into a mass or tumour.
- Primary brain tumors start in the brain.
- Benign tumours: do not invade nearby tissues or spread.
- Malignant tumors: invade, spread, and interfere with brain functions (muscle control, sensitivity, memory, etc.).
- Metastatic/secondary brain tumours: spread to the brain from other body sites.
- Benign tumours can still cause problems by pressing on nearby tissue.
- Physicians recommend the monitoring and treatment of benign tumors.
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Get A Second OpinionKnow more Causes of Brain Cancer
Primary brain tumors can develop in different parts of the brain.
- Common primary brain tumors: are gliomas, meningiomas, pituitary adenomas, vestibular schwannomas, and medulloblastomas.
- Gliomas include glioblastoma, astrocytoma, oligodendroglioma, and ependymoma.
- Metastatic brain cancer occurs when cancer cells spread from other body parts to the brain.
- Causes of cell alteration in primary and metastatic brain tumors are not fully understood.
Certain risk factors increase the likelihood of developing brain cancer:
- Jobs in oil refineries, jet fuel handling, benzene exposure, chemistry, embalming, and rubber industry.
- Some families have multiple members with brain cancer, though heredity is not proven.
- Suggested risk factors: smoking, radiation exposure, and viral infections like HIV, but not confirmed.
What are the Symptoms of Brain Cancer
Symptoms of brain cancer usually develop over time, and their characteristics depend on the location and size of the tumour. Brain cancer symptoms include:
- Behavioural and emotional changes
- Impaired judgment
- Impaired sense of smell
- Memory loss
- Reduced mental capacity
- Inflammation of the optic nerve
- Impaired speech
- Inability to write
- Lack of recognition
- Seizures
- Difficulty in speaking and swallowing
- Drowsiness
- Headache, especially in the morning
- Loss of hearing
- Muscle weakness on one side of the face
- Uncoordinated gait
- Vomiting
- Mental and emotional changes
- Prolonged drowsiness (somnolence)
- Seizures
- Loss of vision
Diagnosis of brain cancer
The initial test is a medical interview and a physical examination of the person by the doctor. Findings from this will indicate if there is a problem in the brain or brainstem.
- CT Scan: Most widely used for brain cancer diagnosis, often with dye injection for clearer images.
- MRI: Gaining popularity for its high sensitivity and detailed images, but less widely available than CT scans.
- Routine Tests: Blood tests, electrolytes, and liver function tests are often performed due to other medical problems.
- Specialists: Neurosurgeons and neurologists may be consulted if scans show signs of brain cancer.
- Biopsy: Tissue samples collected via surgery or needle to aid diagnosis.
- Additional Evaluations: It may be recommended to assess overall health or diagnose other issues.
Other tests
If the biopsy results are positive, further tests will need to be done to check how far along it is and how far it has spread. These tests will include any of the following:
MRI scan
MRI is a radiology technique that provides detailed internal body structure visualization. It offers more detailed images than X-rays and doesn't use ionizing radiation. Patients are placed inside a large magnet, aligning atomic nuclei in the body. Radiofrequency magnetic fields are then applied to create rotating magnetic fields detectable by the scanner. This information builds images of the scanned area, producing 2D or 3D volumes. MRI's contrast between soft tissues is particularly useful for imaging the brain, muscles, heart, and cancers compared to CT or X-rays.
CT scan
A CT scanner emits narrow beams through the body as it moves in an arc, unlike X-ray machines. CT scans produce more detailed images than X-rays, with an X-ray detector capturing hundreds of density levels. The data is sent to a computer, which creates a 3D cross-section displayed on a screen. Contrast may be used for clearer images, and in some cases, patients drink a barium meal for abdomen scans or receive a barium enema for lower body imaging.
PET scan
PET scanning is a nuclear imaging technique that produces 3D images of functional processes in the body. It detects pairs of gamma rays emitted by a positron-emitting tracer, which is introduced into the body as a biologically active molecule. Computer analysis builds up the concentration of the tracer within the body.
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Book an AppointmentTreatment for Brain Cancer
Specialized doctors tailor treatment plans for brain cancer based on the type, location, and size of the tumour, as well as the patient's age and overall health. Patient preferences are also considered, and the plans may involve multiple consulting physicians.
Surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy are the main categories of treatment for most brain cancers.
Surgery
- Aims to remove all tumour cells.
- Involves cutting the tumour apart from natural brain tissue.
- Referred to as invasive surgery.
- Differentiated from non-invasive radiosurgery or radiation therapy.
Radiation Therapy
- Radiation Therapy : Uses high-energy radiation to destroy tumour cells and prevent them from replicating.
- Radiosurgery :
- Non-surgical delivers a single high dose of radiation.
- Uses intense gamma rays or x-rays targeted at the tumour.
- Minimises radiation exposure to healthy brain tissues.
- Equipment :
- Gamma knife : Uses focused gamma rays.
- Linear accelerator : Uses photons.
- Heavy-charge particle radiosurgery : Uses a proton beam.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy tries to kill tumour cells by using chemicals (drugs) that are designed to kill specific types of cancer cells Chemotherapy includes
Uses drugs to kill specific types of cancer cells.
- Numerous drug treatments are tailored to each patient and brain cancer type.
- Administration methods: intrathecal, intravenous, or biodegradable polymers.
- Other Treatments :
- Hyperthermia : Heat treatments.
- Immunotherapy : Immune cells targeting cancer cells.
- Steroids : Reduce brain inflammation and swelling.
- It can be combined with other treatments.
