what is a brain tumor

8/10/2019 What is a Brain Tumor

1/18

what is a brain tumor?

A brain tumoror intracranial neoplasmoccurs when abnormal

cells form within thebrain.There are two main types of tumors:

malignant orcancerous tumors andbenign tumors. Cancerous

tumors can be divided intoprimary tumors that started within the

brain and those that spread from somewhere else known asbrain

metastasis tumors; this article deals mainly with primary tumors.

All types of brain tumors may produce symptoms that vary

depending on the part of the brain involved. These may includeheadaches,seizures,problem withvision,vomiting,and mental

changes. The headache is classically worst in the morning and

goes away with vomiting. More specific problems may include

difficulty in walking, speaking and with sensation. As the disease

progressesunconsciousness may occur.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_brainhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cancerhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benign_tumorhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Primary_tumorhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brain_metastasishttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brain_metastasishttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Headacheshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seizureshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vomitinghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unconsciousnesshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unconsciousnesshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vomitinghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seizureshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Headacheshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brain_metastasishttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brain_metastasishttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Primary_tumorhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benign_tumorhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cancerhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_brain


2/18

signs and symptoms

People with a brain tumor may experience the followingsymptoms or signs. Sometimes, people with a brain tumor do notshow any of these symptoms. Or, these symptoms may becaused by a medical condition that is not a brain tumor.Symptomsof a brain tumor can be general or specific. A general symptom iscaused by the pressure of the tumor on the brain or spinal cord.Specific symptoms are caused when a specific part of the brain isnot working normally because of the tumor. For many people with

a brain tumor, they were diagnosed when they went to the doctorafter experiencing a problem, such as a headache or otherchanges.

General symptoms include:

HeadachesSeizures. Motor seizures, also called convulsions,

are sudden involuntary movements of a persons

muscles.Single or multiple muscle twitches, jerks, spasmsLoss of consciousness and body toneLoss of control of body functionsChange in sensation, vision, smell, and/or hearing

without losing consciousnessMay cause a loss of awareness or a partial or total

loss of consciousness

May be associated with repetitive, unintentionalmovements, such as twitching

Personality or memory changesNausea, vomiting and Fatigue


3/18

causes

Aside from exposure tovinyl chloride orionizing radiation,thereare no known environmental factors associated with brain tumors.Mutations and deletions of so-calledtumor suppressor genes,such as TP53, are thought to be the cause of some forms of braintumors

Although studies have not shown any link betweencell phoneradiation and brain tumors, theWorld Health Organization hasclassified mobile phone radiation on theIARC scale intoGroup2Bpossibly carcinogenic. That means that there "could be

some risk" of carcinogenicity, so additional research into the long-term, heavy use of mobile phones needs to be conducted.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vinyl_chloridehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ionizing_radiationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tumor_suppressor_genehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mobile_phone_radiation_and_healthhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mobile_phone_radiation_and_healthhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Health_Organizationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Agency_for_Research_on_Cancerhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_IARC_Group_2B_carcinogenshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_IARC_Group_2B_carcinogenshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_IARC_Group_2B_carcinogenshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_IARC_Group_2B_carcinogenshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Agency_for_Research_on_Cancerhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Health_Organizationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mobile_phone_radiation_and_healthhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mobile_phone_radiation_and_healthhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tumor_suppressor_genehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ionizing_radiationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vinyl_chloride


4/18

diagnosis

Neurologic exam: Your doctor checks your vision, hearing,alertness, muscle strength, coordination, and reflexes. Yourdoctor also examines your eyes to look for swelling causedby a tumor pressing on the nerve that connects the eye andthe brain.

MRI:A large machine with a strong magnet linked to acomputer is used to make detailed pictures of areas inside

your head. Sometimes a special dye (contrast material) isinjected into a blood vessel in your arm or hand to help showdifferences in the tissues of the brain. The pictures can showabnormal areas, such as a tumor.

CT scan:An x-ray machine linked to a computer takes aseries of detailed pictures of your head. You may receivecontrast material by injection into a blood vessel in your armor hand. The contrast material makes abnormal areas easierto see. Your doctor may ask for other tests:

Angiogram: Dye injected into the bloodstream makes bloodvessels in the brain show up on an x-ray. If a tumor ispresent, the x-ray may show the tumor or blood vessels thatare feeding into the tumor.

Spinal tap:Your doctor may remove a sample ofcerebrospinal fluid (the fluid that fills the spaces in andaround the brain and spinal cord). This procedure isperformed with local anesthesia. The doctor uses a long, thin

needle to remove fluid from the lower part of the spinalcolumn. A spinal tap takes about 30 minutes. You must lieflat for several hours afterward to keep from gettingaheadache.A laboratory checks the fluid for cancer cells orother signs of problems.
http://www.medicinenet.com/headache/article.htmhttp://www.medicinenet.com/headache/article.htm


5/18

Biopsy: The removal of tissue to look for tumor cells iscalled a biopsy. A pathologist looks at the cells under amicroscope to check for abnormal cells. A biopsy can showcancer, tissue changes that may lead to cancer, and other

conditions. A biopsy is the only sure way to diagnose a braintumor, learn what grade it is, and plan treatment. Surgeonscan obtain tissue to look for tumor cells in two ways:


6/18

treatment

When a brain tumor is diagnosed, a medical team will be formed

to assess the treatment options presented by the leading surgeonto the patient and his/her family. Given the location of primarysolid neoplasms of the brain in most cases a "do-nothing" optionis usually not presented. Neurosurgeons take the time to observethe evolution of the neoplasm before proposing a managementplan to the patient and his/her relatives. These various types oftreatment are available depending on neoplasm type and locationand may be combined to give the best chances of survival:

Surgery: complete or partial resection of the tumor with theobjective of removing as many tumor cells as possible.

Radiotherapy: the most commonly used treatment for braintumors; the tumor is irradiated with beta, x rays or gammarays.

Chemotherapy: is a treatment option for cancer, however itis seldom used to treat brain tumors as the blood and brainbarrier prevents the drugs from reaching the cancerous cells.Chemotherapy can be thought of as a poison that preventsthe growth and division of all cells in the body includingcancerous cells. This causes the significant side effectsexperienced by patients undergoing chemotherapy.

prognosis


7/18

The prognosis of brain cancer varies based on the type of cancer.Medulloblastoma has a good prognosis withchemotherapy,radiotherapy, and surgical resection while glioblastoma multiformehas a median survival of only 12 months even withaggressivechemoradiotherapy and surgery. Brainstem gliomashave the poorest prognosis of any form of brain cancer, with mostpatients dying within one year, even with therapy that typicallyconsists of radiation to the tumor along withcorticosteroids.However, one type, focal brainstem gliomas in children, seemsopen to exceptional prognosis and long-term survival hasfrequently been reported.

Glioblastoma multiforme

Glioblastoma multiforme is the deadliest and most common formof malignant brain tumor. Even when aggressive multimodalitytherapy consisting of radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and surgicalexcision is used, median survival is only 1217 months. Standardtherapy for glioblastoma multiforme consists of maximalsurgicalresection of the tumor, followed by radiotherapy betweentwo and four weeks after thesurgical procedure to remove thecancer, then bychemotherapy.Most patients with glioblastomatake acorticosteroid,typicallydexamethasone,during their illnessto palliate symptoms. Experimental treatments includegamma-knife radiosurgery,boron neutron capture therapy andgenetransfer.

Oligodendrogliomas

Oligodendroglioma is an incurable but slowly progressive

malignant brain tumor. They can be treated withsurgicalresection,chemotherapy,and/orradiotherapy.For suspected low-grade oligodendrogliomas in select patients, some neuro-oncologists opt for a course of watchful waiting, with onlysymptomatic therapy. Tumors with the 1p/19q co-deletion havebeen found to be especially chemosensitive, and one source
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medulloblastoma#Treatment_and_prognosishttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medulloblastoma#Treatment_and_prognosishttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chemoradiotherapyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corticosteroidhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Segmental_resectionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Craniotomyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temozolomidehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corticosteroidhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dexamethasonehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gamma-knife_radiosurgeryhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gamma-knife_radiosurgeryhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boron_neutron_capture_therapyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gene_transferhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gene_transferhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Segmental_resectionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Segmental_resectionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chemotherapyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radiotherapyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radiotherapyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chemotherapyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Segmental_resectionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Segmental_resectionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gene_transferhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gene_transferhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boron_neutron_capture_therapyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gamma-knife_radiosurgeryhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gamma-knife_radiosurgeryhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dexamethasonehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corticosteroidhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temozolomidehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Craniotomyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Segmental_resectionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corticosteroidhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chemoradiotherapyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medulloblastoma#Treatment_and_prognosishttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medulloblastoma#Treatment_and_prognosis


8/18

reports oligodendrogliomas to be "among the mostchemosensitive of human solid malignancies".A median survivalof up to 16.7 years has been reported for lowgradeoligodendrogliomas.

pictures of brain tumor
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oligodendrogliomashttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oligodendrogliomas


9/18


10/18


11/18

Interview with a doctorDr. Naveen sivadas

(Neurologist)


12/18

Q. What is brain cancer?

A. Benign brain tumors do not contain cancer cells, but they can

press on sensitive areas in the brain and cause symptoms. Theyare usually a collection of extra cells that cause a mass of tissuecalled a "tumor." They typically have clear borders and do notinvade surrounding areas. They usually can be removed bysurgery and are not likely to grow back.

Q. What are the symptoms of brain tumors?

A. The symptoms depend on the size of the tumor and thelocation. Symptoms are caused by damage to vital tissue and bypressure from the tumor or swelling, which may happen if thetumor blocks the flow of cerebrospinal fluid.

Headaches that tend to be worse in the morningSeizuresNausea and vomitingWeakness or loss of feeling in arms and legsStumbling or lack of coordination in walking

Abnormal eye movements or changes in visionDrowsinessChanges in personality or memoryChanges in speech

Q. What are the causes of brain tumors?

A. The causes of brain tumors are not known. Brain tumors arenot contagious. They can occur at any age, although they are


13/18

most common in children 3-12 years old and adults 40-70 yearsold. Risk factors include working in industries such as oil refining,rubber manufacturing and drug manufacturing; other studies showchemists and embalmers have higher incidence of brain tumors.

Q. How is a brain tumor diagnosed?

A. The doctor does a complete physical exam with specialattention to neurological examination. This includes checks foralertness, muscle strength, coordination, reflexes and response topain. The doctor also examines the eyes for swelling caused by atumor pressing on the nerve that connects the eye and thebrain.The doctor may request a CT (or CAT) scan or an MRI. A

CT scan is a series of detailed pictures of the brain. The picturesare created by a computer linked to an X-ray machine.Sometimes dyes are injected into to help show differences in thetissue of the brain.

Q. What are the types of brain tumors?

A. There are primary and secondary brain tumors. Tumors thatbegin in brain tissue are known as primary tumors. Secondary

tumors are when cancer spreads from another site to the brain,which is called metastasis. Brain tumors are classified by the typeof tissue in which they begin. The most common brain tumors aregliomas.

Types of gliomas:

AstrocytomasBrain stem gliomasEpendymomasOligodendrogliomas

There are other types of brain tumors that do not begin in glialtissue. Some of the most common are:

Medulloblastomas


14/18

Meningiomas

Q. What are the treatments for brain tumors?

A. The doctor develops a treatment plan to fit each patient,

depending on the patients age and general health and the type,location and size of the tumor. Brain tumors are treated withsurgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy. Before treatmentmost patients are given steroids to reduce swelling. They mayalso be given anticonvulsant medications to prevent seizures.

Surgery is the usual treatment for most brain tumors.Radiation therapy uses high-powered rays to damage

cancer cells and stop them from growingStereotactic radiosurgery is another way to treat brain

tumors.Chemotherapy is the use of drugs to kill cancer cells.

Q. What are the side effects of treatment?

A. Surgery may damage normal brain tissue, and edema mayoccur. Seizures, weakness, coordination problems, personalitychanges and difficulty in speaking or thinking may result. Most

side effects of surgery lessen or disappear with time.Radiationmay cause fatigue and hair loss, which may be temporary orpermanent. Skin reaction in the treated area is common. Thescalp and ears may be red, itchy or dark; these areas may feeland look sunburned. Patients should not use lotions withoutdoctor advice. Sometimes radiation may cause headache,memory loss or seizures because the brain cells killed byradiation may form a mass that causes pressure. Doctors may

suggest surgery or steroids to relieve these problems. Patientsmay have fatigue and lose their appetite four to eight weeks afterradiation; this may last for several weeks, but it will usually goaway. Children who have radiation treatments may have learningproblems and partial loss of eyesight, or they may not grow ordevelop normally. Chemotherapy side effects depend on the


15/18

drugs used. Patients may experience lower resistance toinfection, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, mouth sores, lessenergy and hair loss. These side effects usually go away aftertreatment. Some chemotherapy causes sterility. Some

chemotherapy can cause kidney damage, so patients may begiven large amounts of fluid while taking these drugs. Patientsmay also have tingling in fingers, ringing in ears or difficultyhearing. These problems may not clear up after treatment.Steroids reduce swelling in the brain and may cause increasedappetite, weight gain or swelling of the face and feet. Steroids canalso cause restlessness, mood swings, burning indigestion, acneand elevated glucose. The steroid treatment must be gradually

stopped so the body can adjust.

Conclusion

For patients diagnosed with brain cancer, new antiangiogenictreatments are dramatically altering the way this disease is being


16/18

treated. While bevacizumab is presently the only FDA approvedangiogenesis inhibitor for brain cancer, other drugs are in latestage clinical trials and some are being used in the clinic inpatients who have stopped responding to front-line treatments.

Improved outcomes with antianiogenic therapies are nowcommon, compared to the harsher, less effective treatments ofthe past. Therapies that block the growth of tumor blood vesselsgive patients reason for hope and optimism.

It is important for patients and their families to remember thatclinical trials are an important opportunity to gain access to evennewer cutting edge cancer therapies. Clinical trials also contribute

to the advancement of medical knowledge that can benefit futuregenerations.


17/18

Bibliography

www.wikipedia.com

Neurology and neurosurgeryby Kenneth and Ian Bon
http://www.wikipedia.com/http://www.wikipedia.com/


18/18

INDEX

What is a brain tumor?

Signs and symptoms

Causes

Diagnosis

Treatment

Prognosis

Interview with a doctor

Pictures of brain tumor

conclusion

Bibliography

what is a brain tumor

Documents