Brain Cancer

What is Brain Cancer?

Overgrowth of cells in your brain forms masses called tumors or brain cancer. Cancerous or malignant brain tumors can multiply and disrupt the way your body works. In some instances, it can be life-threatening. Brain cancer can occur both in the brain tissue or in nearby locations such as the nerves, the pituatary gland, the pineal gland and the meninges.

Primary brain cancer arises from supporting cells in the brain where the cells start to divide uncontrollably. Secondary brain cancer occurs when cancer cells from other parts of the body spread to the brain. It is also known as brain metastasis.

Types of brain tumors that may occur include gliomas which occur in the glial cells that surround and support the nerve cells in the brain, choroid plexus tumors which start in cells responsible for producing the brain's cerebrospinal fluid, and meningiomas which begin the the meninges, the membrane that covers the brain and spinal chord.

What are the symptoms of Brain Cancer?

The symptoms of a brain tumor depend very much on the type of brain tumor, growth rate, and its anatomical location in the brain.

They may also include the following:

• Blurring of vision
• Difficulty walking (gait instability)
• Headaches (Persistent, especially early morning headaches)
• Memory loss
• Nausea and vomiting
• Problems with language and speech such as word-finding difficulty
• Seizures
• Weakness or numbness on one side of the body (very similar to stroke-like symptoms)
  

How does Brain Cancer cause different symptoms based on location?

Brain tumors may result in different symptoms based on its location.

• The frontal lobe controls thinking and movement, hence tumors in the frontal lobe may cause problems in balancing and walking. It may also result in personality changes and forgetfulness. Family members may sometimes notice the person seeming different from their usual self.
• The parietal lobe in the upper middle part of the brain helps with the processing of information from our senses. Tumors in the parietal lobe may cause problems with your sight, smell, hearing, taste or touch.
• Tumors in the occipital lobe located at the back of your brain may result in vision problems.
• The temporal lobes on the side of your brain is responsble for processing memory and senses. Tumors there may result in memory problems and problems with your senses such as auditory hallucinations or tasting or smelling something unusual or unpleasant.

What are some causes of Brain Cancer?

• Age: Brain cancer can happen at any age but is more common in older adults
• Ethnicity: Certain types of brain cancer are more common within certain races, such as gliomas being more common in caucasians.
• Exposure to radiation: People who have been exposed to ionizing adiation have an increased risk of brain tumors.

How is Brain Cancer diagnosed?

Imaging Tests
Doctors will refer patients suspected of having a brain tumor or cancer to a neurosurgeon for a detailed neurological assessment. It involves imaging studies of the brain, such as an MRI and CT scan. Sometimes, a lumbar puncture procedure is used to collect a small sample of the fluid surrounding your brain and spinal cord to check for cancer cells. A brain biopsy may also be done to remove a small portion of the tumor for diagnostic testing to determine if it is malignant.