Brain tumor: symptoms, causes and treatment

Definition of a brain tumor

The definition of a brain tumor is a disease characterized by abnormal tissue growth in the brain. Generally, this happens because cells grow abnormally and uncontrollably, which can interfere with brain function.

Brain tumors can originate from abnormal cell growth in the brain itself or are called primary. However, brain tumors can also occur due to spread of cancer to other parts of the body or are called secondary (metastasis).

However, tumors in this part of the central nervous system do not always cause cancer. Several types of brain tumors are benign, which are in stages 1 and 2.

While other types of brain tumors are malignant, which are in stages 3 and 4. These malignant tumors are later classified as brain cancer.

Types of brain tumors

Based on the classification mentioned above, there are several types of brain tumors that often occur, namely:

• Glioma: These tumors arise from glial cells, which consist of astrocyte, epyndemal, oligodendrocyte, and others.
• Meningioma: Meningioma attacks the lining of the brain, which generally affects the cerebellum and cerebellum.
• Pituitary adenoma: This type of tumor grows and develops on the surface of the pituitary or pituitary gland.
• Acoustic neuroma: Tumors can originate from Schwann cells, which are generally located on the outside of the nerves that connect the brain and ears.
• Central nervous system lymphoma: These tumors occur in the lymphatic system in the central nervous system, namely the brain.
• Craniopharyngioma: Occurs in the area of ​​the brain adjacent to the eye or around the bottom of the brain adjacent to the pituitary gland.
• Pineal gland tumor: This type of tumor begins in the pineal gland, which is adjacent to the center of the brain.
• Metastatic tumor: These tumors originate from other parts of the body, such as the lungs, breasts, intestines, kidneys, or skin.

Can brain tumor be cured?

Patients with brain tumors can still recover if found early and are at an early stage. Tumors that are benign, especially in stage 1, can still be cured if the whole tumor is surgically removed.

However, at a higher stage, the tumor may spread to other nearby tissues or even come back even after treatment has been done. In this condition, it is difficult for tumor sufferers to recover completely.

The treatment given is only to reduce symptoms, slow tumor progression, and extend life expectancy.

How common are brain tumors?

Brain tumor is a disease that can be experienced by sufferers at any age. However, the Indonesian Cancer Foundation said this disease is more common in children aged 3-12 years and adults aged 40-70 years.

As for the type, secondary tumors are more common than primary tumors in adults.

You can avoid this disease by reducing the risk factors that can cause it. Please discuss with your doctor for more information.

Brain tumor signs & symptoms

Symptoms, signs, and characteristics of brain tumor disease can vary, depending on the location, size, and growth rate (benign or malignant). But in general, the characteristics and symptoms of brain tumors in adults that usually appear in the early to late stages are:

• Frequent and severe headaches.
• Seizures, which can occur as jerks to your hands, arms, legs, or possibly your entire body, especially if you have never had a seizure before.
• Frequent nausea and vomiting for no apparent reason.
• Vision problems, such as blurred vision, double vision, or gradual loss of vision.
• Weakness or numbness on one side of the body.
• Difficulty speaking.
• Confusion of doing everyday things.
• Losing balance.
• Hearing problems, such as the sensation of a constant ringing in the ears (tinnitus).
• Memory problems.

There may be symptoms not listed above. Consult your doctor if you are concerned about a particular symptom.

When to see a doctor?

If you have any of the characteristics or symptoms mentioned above, especially if they occur continuously and do not go away, you should immediately consult a doctor.

The symptoms above are similar to other, less severe diseases, but it never hurts to confirm the cause of your condition to the doctor.

Everyone's body is different. Always consult a doctor to treat your health condition.

Causes & risk factors for brain tumors

Brain tumors can arise as a result of abnormal cell growth in the brain itself (primary) or caused by the spread of cancer from other organs (secondary).

In primary types, abnormal cells or tissues can come from glial cells, meninges, pituitary gland, pineal gland, or other cells and tissues. Meanwhile, in the secondary or metastatic types, tumor cells can come from other parts of the body, such as the breasts, colon, lungs, kidneys, and skin.

The cause of this brain tumor is not yet known with certainty. However, the researchers found changes in normal or healthy cells to become tumor cells (abnormal) in sufferers.

These changes are caused by DNA mutations in cells. When a DNA mutation occurs, cells that are supposed to grow and die at one time will remain alive and multiply uncontrollably until they become tumors.

However, the cause of the DNA mutation is not fully known. However, several factors are believed to increase the risk of developing the disease.

What increases a person's risk of developing this disease?

Several factors are believed to increase a person's risk of developing this disease. However, having one or more risk factors does not necessarily mean that you will have a tumor.

On the other hand, a person with a tumor may have unknown risk factors. These risk factors, namely:

1. Increasing age

The risk of this disease increases with age. The reason is, this disease is more often found in older adults, although children or young adults can experience it.

2. Radiation exposure

If you have been exposed to ionizing radiation, such as radiation therapy to treat cancer or radiation from an atomic bomb, you may have a higher risk of developing this disease.

3. Family history

A small proportion of these tumors occur in someone who has a family history of the same disease or certain genetic disorders, such as neurofibrimatosis type 1 (NF1) and type 2 (NF2), tuberous sclerosis, Von Hippel-Lindau syndrome, Li-Fraumeni syndrome, Turcot syndrome., and others.

Diagnosis & Treatment of brain tumors

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.

In making a diagnosis of a brain tumor, your doctor will ask questions about your symptoms and look at your personal and family medical history. After that, the doctor will perform a physical examination, including a neurological exam.

If the doctor suspects that there is possible abnormal tissue in the brain, the doctor will order one or more of the following tests:

• Brain scan: You may be asked to do a CT (CAT) scan or MRI to see a clearer picture of your brain. A PET scan may also be necessary if the tumor you have is known to come from other organs, such as the lungs.
• Brain angiogram: This test involves using a dye and X-rays of blood vessels in the brain. This is to look for signs of tumors or abnormal blood vessels.
• Biopsy: A biopsy is done by taking a sample of tumor tissue to be examined under a microscope. This test is done to determine whether the tumor is benign or malignant (cancer).

Several other tests may also be needed, depending on the individual patient's condition. Consult with your doctor for the right type of screening tests.

How to treat a brain tumor?

Treatment for this disease depends on the type, size and location of the tumor, as well as your overall health condition. Some medications and treatments for brain tumors that are generally recommended by doctors include:

1. Operation

Surgery is the main way to treat brain tumors. In this type of treatment, the doctor will remove all or part of the tumor tissue that may be removed, without damaging the surrounding healthy tissue.

Even so, surgical removal of the tumor also has several risks, such as infection and bleeding. Generally, the risk depends on the location of the tumor in the brain.

For example, surgical removal of a tumor that is located near the nerve connected to the eye risks causing the patient to become blind after undergoing surgery.

Therefore, before determining the appropriate treatment, it is better to first discuss with your doctor the various risks that may occur after surgery.

If the surgical procedure is considered too risky, the doctor will certainly provide various other options or alternative treatments that are considered safer to treat this condition.

2. Radiotherapy

If the entire tumor tissue is difficult to remove or surgery is not possible, another way to cure a brain tumor is radiation therapy. Radiation therapy or radiotherapy is done by emitting high-power radiation, such as X-rays or protons, or brachytherapy to kill tumor cells.

3. Chemotherapy

Just like radiotherapy, chemotherapy is also generally done after surgery to kill any remaining tumor cells that are not removed. This type of treatment is carried out using drugs, either in the form of oral or intravenous pills.

Chemotherapy drugs that are usually used to treat brain tumors, namely temozolomide (Temodar).

4. Medicines

The doctor may also prescribe some medications, such as steroids to reduce swelling around the tumor, pain relievers, and anticonvulsants (anticonvulsants) that are given before and after surgery. Other medications may also be prescribed to help with symptoms.

Recovery for brain tumors

Different types of brain medication can affect your motor, speech, vision and thinking abilities. Therefore, your doctor may recommend undergoing rehabilitation after treatment.

There are several treatment options that can be done as part of the recovery process after undergoing treatment, including:

1. Physical therapy

This therapy is done to help patients improve their ability to walk, maintain balance, and restore strength after undergoing treatment.

To undergo this therapy, the patient will be accompanied by a physical therapist. Experts will train the patient to improve body movement and ensure that the patient's body has the right posture to reduce pain in the leg as much as possible.

2. Occupational therapy

Meanwhile, this one therapy can help patients to control the various side effects of treatment that they still often feel. That way, the patient will be easier to go through his days.

In addition, patients will also be taught to do various daily activities such as cooking, writing, or driving a motorized vehicle if they feel able and safe.

3. Speech therapy

As the name implies, this therapy helps patients with speech problems and confusion in understanding what other people say.

This therapy is carried out by increasing the ability to produce speech to express oneself through various verbal expressions.

Speech therapist will also help patients to eat and swallow foods that have been blocked due to oral motor disorders that are experienced due to brain tumors.

Home treatment for brain tumors

Lifestyle and certain home remedies or alternatives are believed to be ways to treat brain tumors naturally. Some of these ways are:

• Acupuncture, meditation, music therapy, or relaxation exercises as natural remedies for brain tumors.
• Eat foods that are good for people with brain tumors, namely eating lots of vegetables and fruits and those that contain good fats.
• Exercise routine according to doctor's advice.
• Quit smoking.
• Routinely take the medicine prescribed by the doctor.

If you have any questions, consult your doctor for the best solution to your problem.

Prevention of brain tumors

The cause of this disease is not known for sure. Therefore, there is no specific way to prevent brain tumors in yourself.

However, you can reduce the risk of this disease by avoiding various risk factors that may cause it, such as avoiding unnecessary radiation exposure.

In addition, you also need to stick to a healthy lifestyle so that your body stays in shape as a form of prevention against various diseases including brain tumors.

For example, eating a balanced nutritious diet, exercising regularly, and quitting smoking and avoiding cigarette smoke. Please consult a doctor for more information.