Are you also feeling any changes in your head? Let's learn exactly about brain tumors!

Our brain is a very complex and amazing organ that controls our entire body. So, it's normal for anyone to be a little scared when something unusual, for example, a "tumor" develops in such a valuable place? You've probably heard of a "brain tumor" or, as it's called in English, a brain tumor . It's true that when you hear this name, you get a little scared, but the most important thing is to know everything about it clearly and accurately. Then you won't have unnecessary fear.

What is a brain tumor?

Simply put, a brain tumor is a lump or mass of cells that grow abnormally in or around your brain. It's like an unwanted plant growing in your garden. Our brain and spinal cord make up the central nervous system (CNS) . So tumors can form in both of these areas.

There are two types of brain tumors. Some are malignant , meaning they are made up of cancer cells and can spread quickly. The other type is benign . These are not cancer cells, so they usually don't spread.

But here's an important thing. Even if the tumor is not cancerous, that is, benign , it can cause problems if it grows inside the brain. Think about it, our head is a very solid object, like a coconut shell. So the space inside is limited. As a tumor grows, it starts to press on the delicate nerves, blood vessels, and tissues in the brain. Then the brain's functions can be disrupted.

Tumors that develop in the brain are called primary tumors . But sometimes, cancer cells from another part of the body, such as the lungs, can spread to the brain and form tumors. These are called secondary tumors or metastatic brain tumors . In this article, we will mainly talk about primary tumors that develop in the brain.

What types of brain tumors are there?

In fact, researchers have identified more than 150 types of brain tumors. But we mainly classify them. One is by the cells they form from. Glial tumors are tumors that form in the brain's supporting cells called glial cells , and non-glial tumors are tumors that form in other parts of the brain, such as nerves, blood vessels, and glands. In addition, as we discussed earlier, we also classify them as benign (non-cancerous) and malignant (cancerous).

Most common types of brain tumors are non-cancerous (benign).

Some of these are:

• Chordomas: These are most common at the base of the skull and lower spine. They grow slowly.
• (Craniopharyngiomas): These are located under the brain (Pituitary gland)The tumors that form in this area are a bit difficult to remove because they are located close to very sensitive areas of the brain.
• (Gangliocytomas, Gangliomas, Anaplastic Gangliogliomas): These are rare tumors that form in nerve cells (Neurons).
• (Glomus jugulare): These develop under the base of the skull, near a major vein in the neck (Jugular vein).
• Meningiomas: These are the most common type of primary brain tumor . They form in the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord (called the meninges) . They are usually slow-growing. However, they can rarely be cancerous.
• Pineocytomas: A type of slow-growing tumor that develops in the pineal gland , which produces the hormone melatonin , located deep in the brain.
• Pituitary adenomas: These are tumors that develop in the pituitary gland at the base of the brain. This gland controls the hormones in our body. These tumors can sometimes cause extra hormones to be secreted.
• Schwannomas: These are non-cancerous tumors that are common in adults. They develop from Schwann cells, which help conduct nerve impulses. Acoustic neuromas are the most common type of tumor. They develop on the vestibular nerve, which runs from the ear to the brain.

Types of malignant brain tumors

Gliomas account for 78% of primary brain tumors . These arise from glial cells that surround and support nerve cells.

• Astrocytoma: These are the most common type of glioma . They arise from star-shaped cells called astrocytes . They can develop in various parts of the brain, but are most commonly found in the cerebrum.
• Ependymomas: These form in the ventricles of the brain.
• (Glioblastoma - GBM): These are also tumors that arise from cells called (Astrocytes) . However, these are the fastest growing, meaning they are the most aggressive, types of (Astrocytoma) .
• Oligodendroglioma: These are a rare type of tumor that starts in the cells that make the protective covering (myelin ) around the nerves in the brain.

In addition, there is a type of cancerous tumor called (Medulloblastoma) . These grow rapidly and form at the base of the skull. This is a cancerous brain tumor that is most common in young children.

Who gets these brain tumors the most?

Anyone can develop brain tumors, but they appear to be slightly more common in men .

However, the type of tumor we talked about earlier, called Meningioma , which is usually non-cancerous, is more common among women.

The worst kindGlioblastoma appears to increase with age in the general population.

How common are these (primary) brain tumors?

Primary brain tumors are actually not that common. Even in a country like the United States, only about 5 out of 100,000 people are newly diagnosed with this type of tumor each year.

Also, among children under the age of 15, about 4,100 people in the United States are diagnosed with a brain or central nervous system tumor each year. Although the statistics for Sri Lanka are not exact, we can get some idea from this.

How serious is a brain tumor?

A brain tumor, whether cancerous or not, can cause serious problems. The main reason for this is that our skull is very rigid, which means that the tumor inside has no room to grow or spread. It's like something growing inside a box that's stuck.

Also, if a tumor develops near areas of the brain that control vital functions, a variety of symptoms may occur. For example:

• Feeling lifeless.
• Difficulty walking.
• Losing balance in the body.
• Partial or complete loss of vision.
• Understanding what is being said, or having difficulty speaking.
• Having memory problems.

Brain tumors can cause problems in the following ways:

• They directly invade and destroy healthy brain tissue.
• It causes pressure on the surrounding tissues.
• Increases intracranial pressure.
• It causes fluid to accumulate inside the brain.
• It interferes with the flow of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) through the cavities inside the brain, causing those cavities to enlarge.
• Bleeding inside the brain can also occur.

But some people have brain tumors, but they may never show symptoms or grow large enough to push on surrounding tissue.

What are the symptoms of a brain tumor?

Some people have a brain tumor but don't show any symptoms, especially if it's very small.

The symptoms of a brain tumor vary depending on the location, size, and type of tumor. This means that not everyone will experience the same symptoms.

Here are some common symptoms:

• Headache: This may be more severe in the morning, or it may be so severe that it wakes you up at night.
• Seizures: Sudden convulsions and loss of consciousness.
• Difficulty thinking, speaking, or understanding language.
• Changes in a person's behavior and personality .
• Weakness or paralysis on one side or part of the body.
• Balance problems or dizziness.
• Vision problems: Blurred vision, like seeing in two parts.
• Listening questions.
• Numbness or tingling in the face.
• Nausea or vomiting.
• Confusion and disorientation.

Important: If you have one or more of these symptoms, it is important to see a doctor for advice. Not all of these symptoms are caused by a brain tumor, but it is important to find the cause.

What causes brain tumors?

Researchers know that brain tumors develop when certain genes on a cell's chromosomes become damaged and stop working properly. But they still don't know exactly why. The DNA in your cells tells cells throughout your body what to do - when to grow, when to divide, and when to die.

When the DNA of brain cells changes, those cells receive new instructions. Then, abnormal brain cells form in the body, which grow and multiply faster than normal cells, and sometimes live longer than normal cells. When this happens, these abnormal cells gather and take up space inside the brain, which is what appears as a tumor.

In some cases, a person can be born with these genetic changes. Later, environmental factors, such as exposure to high levels of radiation from X-rays or previous cancer treatment, can cause further damage.

In other cases, environmental damage to genes may be the only cause.

There are several rare, inherited genetic syndromes associated with brain tumors:

• (Neurofibromatosis type 1 - NF1 gene)
• (Neurofibromatosis type 2 - NF2 gene)
• (Turcot syndrome - APC gene)
• (Gorlin syndrome - PTCH gene)
• (Tuberous sclerosis complex - TSC1 and TSC2 genes)
• (Li-Fraumeni syndrome - TP53 gene)

However, only 5% to 10% of people with a brain tumor have a family history of the disease. This means that in most cases, it is not hereditary.

How do you find out if you have a brain tumor?

Diagnosing a brain tumor can sometimes be a complex process, involving several specialists. However, sometimes doctors find a brain tumor by chance when they are doing imaging tests for another medical problem.

If you have symptoms of a brain tumor, your doctor will first do a physical exam. They will also ask you about things like:

• Your symptoms.
• Past and present illnesses.
• Types of medications currently used.
• Surgeries and medical treatments performed.
• Family medical history.

In addition, the doctorA neurological exam may also be performed. This will look for any changes in your:

• Balance and coordination.
• Mental state.
• Hearing.
• Vision.
• Reflexes.

These changes provide a clue as to which part of the brain may be affected by a tumor.

If your doctor suspects that you may have a brain tumor, the next step is usually to do a brain scan. This is often an MRI .

What tests are used to diagnose a brain tumor?

Doctors use several tests to diagnose a brain tumor:

• Brain MRI or CT scan: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the best test to detect brain tumors. If you can't have an MRI , a computed tomography (CT) scan is a good alternative. Before these tests, a contrast agent is injected into your vein to make the tumor more visible. These tests can show the size of the tumor and its exact location in great detail. Sometimes your doctor will also check other parts of your body, such as your lungs, colon, or breast, to see if the tumor has spread.
• Biopsy: To find out exactly what type of tumor it is and whether it is cancerous, a small piece of the tumor is usually removed and examined under a microscope ( biopsy ). A neurosurgeon may perform this biopsy during surgery to remove all or part of the tumor. If the tumor is difficult to reach, a stereotactic biopsy may be performed by making a small hole in the skull and using a needle to remove a sample of tissue from the tumor.
• Spinal tap / Lumbar puncture: In this test, the doctor uses a small needle to remove a small amount of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from the space around your spinal cord. The fluid is tested in a lab to see if there are any cancer cells. This test is done when there is a suspicion that the tumor has spread to the membranes that cover the brain ( meninges ).
• Special tests: Sometimes there are special tests that can help with the diagnosis. For example, your doctor may order tests to check your blood and cerebrospinal fluid for substances ( tumor markers ) that are released by certain tumors. They may also check for specific genetic abnormalities that are common to certain tumors.

What are the treatments for brain tumors?

Treatment for brain tumors depends on several factors:

• The location of the tumor, its size, and type.
• Number of nuts.
• your age.
• Your overall health.

Non-cancerous (Benign)Brain tumors can usually be successfully removed with surgery, and they rarely come back. However, it largely depends on whether your neurosurgeon can completely and safely remove the tumor.

Treatments that are safe for adults to tolerate without much damage to the brain, such as radiation therapy , can disrupt the normal development of a young child's brain, especially one under the age of five. That's why doctors are very careful when treating children.

Doctors often use a combination of treatments to treat a tumor. Here are some of the treatment options you may have:

• Craniotomy: Whenever possible, neurosurgeons remove the tumor. They perform the surgery very carefully, sometimes while you are awake (you don't feel any pain), to minimize damage to important functional areas of the brain.
• Radiation therapy: This involves using high doses of X-rays to destroy brain tumor cells or shrink the tumor.
• Radiosurgery: This is also a type of radiation therapy. However, it uses highly targeted radiation beams (gamma rays or proton beams) to destroy the tumor. This is not actually surgery, as it does not require an incision.
• Brachytherapy: This is also a type of radiation therapy. In this, radioactive seeds or pellets are surgically placed inside or near the cancerous tumor.
• Chemotherapy: This uses anticancer drugs to kill cancer cells in your brain and throughout your body. You may receive chemotherapy through a vein or as a pill. Your doctor may recommend chemotherapy to kill any remaining cancer cells after surgery, or to stop the growth of any remaining cancer cells.
• Immunotherapy: Also called biological therapy, this uses your body's own immune system to fight cancer. It basically stimulates your immune system and helps it do its job more efficiently.
• Targeted therapy: In this treatment, drugs target specific features of cancer cells without harming healthy cells. Your doctor may recommend this if you have difficulty tolerating the side effects of chemotherapy , such as fatigue and nausea.
• Watchful waiting/active surveillance: If your brain tumor is very small and you have no symptoms, your doctor may recommend close monitoring of the tumor with frequent tests to see if it is growing.

There are other treatments that can help with symptoms caused by brain tumors:

• Shunts: If the tumor is causing increased pressure inside the skull, you may need to have a shunt (a tube) surgically placed in your brain to remove the excess cerebrospinal fluid .
• Medications like Mannitol and Corticosteroids : These medications help reduce the pressure inside the skull and reduce the swelling around the tumor.
• Palliative care: This is a specialized form of care that provides symptom relief, comfort, and support to people with serious illnesses. It also provides support to those caring for the patient and those affected by the patient's condition.

What is the prognosis of this condition?

The outlook for people with brain tumors varies greatly. Factors that affect this include:

• The type, grade, and location of the fruit.
• Whether the tumor was completely removed by surgery.
• Your age and overall health.

In most cases, doctors can successfully treat a brain tumor. Some people live active, fulfilling lives with brain tumors that are symptom-free. For some people, brain tumors can come back (recur) after treatment. If this happens to you, you may need to continue treatment, such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy, to stop the tumor from growing or spreading.

What is the recovery rate?

Survival rates vary depending on the type of brain tumor. They also vary depending on your age, race, and overall health. These rates are estimates based on averages. The five-year survival rate is the percentage of people who live at least five years after being diagnosed with a brain tumor.

For example, the five-year survival rate for the most common non-cancerous primary brain tumor (Meningioma) is as follows:

• More than 96% for children 14 years of age and under.
• 97% for those between the ages of 15 and 39.
• More than 87% for adults aged 40 and over.

Since recovery rates vary greatly and depend on several factors, it's best to talk to your doctor about what to expect given your diagnosis.

Can brain tumors be prevented?

Unfortunately, it is not possible to completely prevent a brain tumor. However, you can reduce your risk of developing a brain tumor by avoiding environmental hazards, such as avoiding smoking and excessive radiation exposure.

If a close family member (brother, sister, or parent) has had a brain tumor, it is important to tell your doctor. They may refer you for genetic counseling to see if you have a genetic condition linked to brain tumors.

When should I see my doctor?

If you have been diagnosed with a brain tumor, you will need to meet with your medical team regularly to receive treatment and monitor your symptoms.

If your brain tumor symptoms get worse, or if new symptoms appear, you should definitely see a doctor.

Even after brain tumor treatment, it is important to maintain regular contact with your doctor.

What questions should you ask the doctor about a brain tumor?

If you are diagnosed with a brain tumor, it may be helpful to ask your doctor these questions:

• Is this tumor cancerous (malignant) or non-cancerous (benign)?
• What kind of tumor do I have?
• What is the best treatment for me?
• Will my treatment cause side effects?
• Who are the specialists involved in my care?
• What is my prognosis?
• Are my family members at risk of developing a brain tumor?
• Do you know of any online or in-person support groups for people with brain tumors?

The most important message to take home

It's normal to feel scared and overwhelmed when you find out you have a brain tumor. But remember, not all brain tumors are cancerous. In fact, about two-thirds are benign . However, they can still cause problems for your brain. The most important thing is to trust that your medical team will work with you to create a comprehensive treatment plan that works for you, treat the tumor, and improve your quality of life. Don't be afraid, get the right information, and follow your doctor's advice.

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