The
risk factors for brain tumor possibly
include radiation exposure to the head and family history. However, exact
factors have not yet been found and are under study.
As
is the case with all tumors, brain tumors
can either be benign or malignant,
and can occur in different parts of the brain. Primary tumors of the brain
originate from the brain tissue. They
are classified by the type of tissue in which they begin. The most common
tumors of the brain are gliomas, which begin in the glial (supportive) tissue.
There are several types of gliomas:
- Astrocytomas: these may
grow anywhere in the brain or spinal cord. In adults, they most often
arise in the cerebrum. In children, they occur in the brain stem, the
cerebrum, and the cerebellum. A grade III astrocytoma is sometimes called
anaplastic astrocytoma. A grade IV astrocytoma is usually called
glioblastoma multiforme.
- Brain stem gliomas:
these tumors generally cannot be removed. Most brain stem gliomas are
high-grade astrocytomas.
- Ependymomas: these usually
develop in the lining of the ventricles and are most common in childhood
and adolescence.
- Oligodendrogliomas: these tumors
arise in the cells that produce myelin, the fatty covering that protects
nerves in the cerebrum. They grow slowly and usually do not spread. They
occur most often in middle-aged adults and are rare.
Other types of tumors that do not begin
in glial tissue are:
- Medulloblastomas:
recent research suggests that these tumors develop from primitive
(developing) nerve cells that normally do not remain in the body after
birth. For this reason, they are sometimes called primitive
neuroectodermal tumors (PNET). They usually arise in the cerebellum and
occur most often in children most commonly in boys.
- Meningiomas: these grow
from the meninges and are usually benign. Because they grow very slowly, they
are often quite large before they cause symptoms. They occur most often in
women between 30 and 50 years of age.
- Schwannomas: these are
benign tumors that begin in Schwann cells, which produce the myelin. They
occur mainly in adults and affect women twice as often as men.
- Craniopharyngiomas: these develop
in the region of the pituitary gland near the hypothalamus. They are
usually benign; however, they are sometimes considered malignant because
they can press on or damage the hypothalamus and affect vital functions.
These tumors occur most often in children and adolescents.
- Germ cell tumors: arise
from primitive (developing) sex cells, or germ cells. The most common germ
cell tumor in the brain is the germinoma.
- Pineal region tumors: occur
in or around the pineal gland, a tiny organ near the center of the brain. These
tumors often cannot be removed as the pineal region is very difficult to
reach.
For
a brain tumor, the signs and symptoms depend upon the location, type, size
and severity of the tumor. Identifying the presence of a tumor is the first
step in determining a course of treatment. They
can cause a variety of symptoms ranging from headache to stroke. These tumors
can mimic symptoms of other conditions and also cause
an increase of pressure in the brain, shift the brain or push it against the
skull, and/or invade and damage nerves and healthy brain tissue.
The best way to diagnose is to perform a CT scan or an MRI. It is sometimes
difficult to determine whether the patient needs an MRI or CT scan, but it is
always a better option to perform one as these tests can easily detect a tumor.
Possible symptoms of a brain tumor include:
- A new
seizure in an adult
- Gradual
loss of movement or sensation in an arm or leg
- Unsteadiness
or imbalance associated with headache
- Loss
of vision in one or both eyes, especially if the vision loss is more
peripheral
- Double
vision associated with headache
- Hearing
loss with or without dizziness
- Speech
difficulty of gradual onset
- Confusion
- Disorientation
- Severe
nausea or vomiting in the morning
- Headache
- Infertility
- Stroke
More
information can be found on healthcarevilla.com.
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