Brain cancer is a severe form of cancer that develops when cells in the brain become abnormal and begin to spread, sometimes forming a tumor. The cells may spread quickly or slowly, depending on the tumor type. With advancements in health sciences and technology, the survival rates for brain cancer are improving, especially for slow-growing tumors. This post provides an overview of the symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatments for brain cancer.
Symptoms
Many symptoms of brain cancer overlap with other less-severe conditions, especially in the early stages. As a result, people rule out the possibility of a significant health disorder. However, if one experiences the discomforts for over a week and regular treatments do not work, they must consult a doctor.
The following are some prevalent brain cancer indicators. Note that the signs can vary depending on the tumor’s location and size:
- Difficulty walking
- Headaches that usually aggravate in the morning
- Vomiting or nausea
- Lack of balance and coordination
- Memory, vision, and speech problems
- Personality changes
- Muscle jerking or twitching
- Abnormal eye movements
- Seizures
- Tingling or numbness in the legs or arms
- Drowsiness
- Syncope or passing out
Like any cancer, brain cancer can be managed better when detected early. Therefore, if one experiences these symptoms regularly and thinks it could be something more significant, they must consult a doctor at the earliest for an evaluation.
Causes and risk factors
The precise cause of the condition is not known. However, studies show a link between exposure to a high dose of ionizing radiation and an increased brain cancer risk. One may be exposed to ionizing radiation when working at nuclear power plants or undergoing imaging tests and radiation therapy.
Other risk factors that may be associated with developing brain cancer are:
- Mononucleosis, caused by the Epstein-Barr virus
- Increased age
- Working with elements that may cause cancer, such as petroleum, rubber, plastic, lead, and textiles
- Family history of brain cancer
- Exposure to fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides
Some people are affected by secondary brain cancer, which starts in other body parts but spreads to the brain. Cancers that usually metastasize or flare to the brain include bladder, lung, kidney, and breast cancer.
Diagnosis
When a person develops brain tumor symptoms, the doctor may perform the following tests for diagnosis:
- Imaging tests like MRI, CT, and PET scans to locate the tumor.
- A brain biopsy, where a tiny part of the tumor is removed for diagnostic testing to assess if it is malignant.
- A lumbar puncture, where doctors collect a sample of the fluids surrounding the spinal cord and brain to look for cancer cells.
If cancer is confirmed, the doctor may try to determine its stage based on the reports received through CT scans, MRIs, and other tests. Staging helps ascertain the condition’s severity and how far it has spread beyond the brain. Typically, brain tumors are graded on a scale of one to four, depending on how quickly they grow and their ability to invade the surrounding tissues. Ideally, grades one and two are slow-growing or low-grade tumors, whereas grade four is the fastest-growing type.
Treatment and management
Like other cancers, brain cancer may be treated with a combination of chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy. If a tumor is detected in the brain, it is sometimes removed by surgery. If the doctor cannot remove the tumor, treatments are recommended to reduce the growth’s size and the swelling around it.
Health experts develop a treatment plan depending on the location of the tumor and the condition’s severity. Post-operative radiotherapy, or radiotherapy performed after surgery, betters local control and survival.
Those dealing with brain cancer may require palliative care in some cases. It includes working with a team of experts, including nurses, nutritionists, and social workers, who aim to improve the patient’s quality of life by alleviating their symptoms and slowing the spread of brain cancer. Patients are educated about the disorder and given comprehensive support.
