Brain tumours in adults
In a brain tumour, cells grow abnormally, but this doesnt mean a tumour is cancerous.
The worldwide cancer incidence of a malignant brain tumour is 3.4 per 100,000 people (men: 3.9 per 100,000, women: 3.0 per 100,000).
In 2012, these were a total of 256,213 affected worldwide (139,608 men and 116,605 women). The trend of new cases is rising. In 2002, there were 189,582 sufferers worldwide.
Every day about 700 people are diagnosed with a maligant brain tumour.
Although brain tumours in adults can be caused by cancer, benign tumours are possible. These may be due to medical conditions or may have no obvious cause.
Primary brain tumours emerge from the various cells that make up the brain and central nervous system and are named based on the kind of cell they first form in. The most common types of adult brain tumours are gliomas, the commonest type of which is called an astrocytoma. These tumours form from cells called astrocytes, which are cells that help support the nerve cells.
The second most common types of adult brain tumours are meningiomas. These form in the meninges, the thin layer of tissue that lines the brain and spinal cord and can grow from a number of different kinds of brain and spinal cord cells.
Whats the difference between benign and malignant brain tumours?
Benign brain tumours are non-cancerous. Malignant primary brain tumours are cancers that originate in the brain. They typically grow faster than benign tumours and aggressively invade surrounding tissue. Although brain cancer rarely spreads to other organs, it will spread to other parts of the brain and central nervous system.
Benign brain tumours usually have clearly defined borders and are not usually deeply rooted in brain tissue.
This makes them easier to surgically remove, assuming they are in an area of the brain that can be safely operated on. However, even after theyve been removed they can still come back, though benign tumours are less likely than malignant ones to recur.
Although benign tumours in other parts of the body can cause problems, they are not generally considered to be a major
health problem or to be life threatening. However, even a benign brain tumour can be a serious health problem. Brain tumours damage the cells around them by causing inflammation and putting increased pressure on the tissue under and around it as well as inside the skull.
Symptoms of a brain tumour in adults
Symptoms of brain tumours vary according to the type of tumour and the location. Because different areas of the brain control different functions of the body, where the tumour lies affects the way its manifested.
Some tumours have no symptoms until they are quite large and then cause a serious, rapid decline in health. Other tumours may have symptoms that develop slowly.
A common initial symptom of a brain tumour is headaches, but a lot of things besides a brain tumour can cause headaches. However, brain tumour headaches may be described as worse in the morning and then better after a couple of hours.
Often they occur when a person is sleeping and will cause the person to wake up. The headache may be accompanied by vomiting and may get worse when the person changes position, coughs or exercises. The headaches also typically dont respond well to the usual headache remedies.
Other common symptoms include:
Seizures
Changes in speech or hearing
Changes in vision
Balance problems
Problems with walking
Numbness or tingling in the arms or legs
Problems with memory
Personality changes
Inability to concentrate
Weakness in one part of the body
Its important to keep in mind that these symptoms can be caused by a number of different conditions. You shouldnt assume you have a brain tumour just because you experience some of them. Seek medical advice if you are concerned.
Brain tumours diagnosis
The doctor starts by asking questions about your symptoms and taking a personal and family health history. Then he or she performs a physical examination, including a neurological examination. If theres reason to suspect a brain tumour, the doctor may request one or more of the following tests:
Scanning tests such as a CT (CAT) scan or MRI to see detailed images of the brain.
Angiogram, which involves the use of dye and X-rays of blood vessels in the brain to look for signs of blockage.
Spinal tap/Lumbar puncture, which examines fluid taken from the spinal cord.
The doctor may also ask for a biopsy to determine whether or not the tumour is cancer. A tissue sample is removed from the brain either during surgery to remove the tumour or with a needle inserted through a small hole drilled into the skull before treatment is started. The sample is then sent to a laboratory to see if there is any cancer present.
Brain tumours treatment
Surgery to remove the tumour is typically the first option once a tumour has been diagnosed.
Some tumours cant be operated on because of their location. In those cases, chemotherapy and radiotherapy are both options for killing and shrinking the tumour. Sometimes chemotherapy or radiotherapy is also used after
surgery to kill any remaining cancer cells.
Because treatment for cancer can damage healthy tissue as well, its important to discuss possible side effects and long-term effects of whatever treatment is being used with your doctor. The doctor can explain the risk and the possibility of losing certain faculties. The doctor can also explain the importance of planning for rehabilitation following treatment. Rehabilitation could involve working with several different therapists such as:
Physiotherapist to regain strength and balance
Speech therapist to address problems with speaking, expressing thoughts or swallowing.
Occupational therapist to help manage daily activities such as using the toilet, bathing and dressing.
Source: WebMd German Brain Tumour Association
