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Are tumors and brain cancer the same thing? Actually these are two different things. Brain cancer is the growth of malignant cells in the brain that is abnormal, uncontrolled, and can spread to other brain tissue. Meanwhile, a brain tumor is an abnormal growth of tissue in the brain or central spine that can interfere with brain function. Until now, the exact cause of brain tumors is not known, but some researchers suspect that it is caused by genetic factors and exposure to dangerous chemical hazards.
You need to know, brain tumors cannot spread to other organs because brain tumors do not have the same access to blood flow as a result of tumors in other parts of the body. But, this still needs to be watched out. It is important that you detect a brain tumor quickly if you experience symptoms.
Unfortunately, ignorance often leaves a person unaware of the symptoms of a tumor. As a result, the tumor was only discovered when it grew bigger and began to show symptoms that disturbed health.
Types of brain tumors
Brain tumors are classified into several categories, quoted via braintumor.org:
- Benign, is the least aggressive type of tumor. Benign brain tumors originate from cells in or around the brain, do not contain cancer cells, grow slowly, and have clear boundaries that do not spread to other tissues.
- Malignant, is a type of tumor that contains cancer cells, grows fast, can attack the surrounding brain tissue, and has no clear boundaries.
- Primary, is a type of tumor that starts in brain cells and can spread to other parts of the brain or to the spine. Primary brain tumors rarely spread to other organs.
- Metastasis, is a type of tumor that starts in other parts of the body and then spreads to the brain.
How are the symptoms?
Some tumors have no symptoms until they are large enough and then cause serious and rapid health deterioration. A common early symptom is a headache - so many people ignore the symptom thinking it is a normal headache.
Symptoms of brain tumors vary according to the type of tumor and its location. Here are some of the symptoms of a brain tumor that you need to know:
- Seizures
- Changes in speaking or listening
- Changes in vision
- Numbness or tingling in the arms or legs
- Memory disorders
- Personality changes
- Difficulty concentrating
- Weakness in one part of the body
How is a brain tumor diagnosed?
For each symptom you feel, you need to consult a doctor in order to get a proper diagnosis. In diagnosing a tumor, your doctor will start by asking questions about your symptoms, as well as looking at your personal and family medical history. After that, the doctor will perform a physical examination, including a neurological exam.
If the doctor suspects a brain tumor, the doctor will order one or more of the following tests:
- Brain scan- often with MRI - to see a detailed picture of the brain.
- Angiogram or MRA which involves using a dye and X-rays of blood vessels in the brain to look for signs of tumors or abnormal blood vessels.
- Biopsy to determine whether the tumor is at risk of becoming cancerous or not.
Can it be treated?
Tumors are usually treated with surgery. However, if the tumor is located in the brain, surgery cannot be performed.
Some of the ways to treat brain tumors are by doing chemotherapy or radiation therapy to kill or at least shrink the tumor that is developing in the brain. However, if the tumor is located deep in the brain, making it difficult to reach, then the treatment that can be done is Gamma Knife therapy, which is very focused radiation therapy.
Before you start treatment, you should discuss with your doctor the possible side effects of each treatment.
