When we hear about a 'brain tumor' or 'brain tumor', we all get a little scared, right? It's very normal. But being fully aware of this condition can help us make the right decisions if something like this affects you or your loved one. Not all brain tumors are cancer. So today, in this article, we will talk about what brain tumors are, what are their main types, and the treatment methods in a way that you can understand, very simply.
How do brain tumors occur?
Simply put, a brain tumor is an abnormal growth of cells in the brain. These can be divided into two main types.
1. Primary Brain Tumors: These arise within the brain. Think of it like a problem that starts in the brain itself. These tumors rarely spread outside the brain to other parts of the body.
2. Secondary Brain Tumors: These are actually the most common. What happens here is that a cancer that started somewhere else in the body, for example, the lungs, breast, kidneys, or skin, travels through the bloodstream to the brain and forms a tumor there as well. Doctors call this a Metastatic Brain Tumor .
The important thing is that not all brain tumors are cancerous. Some can be benign tumors that do not contain cancer cells.
Accordingly, we can divide these into two parts:
- Benign Brain Tumors: These do not contain cancer cells. They often grow slowly. They can be almost completely removed with surgery. They are also very unlikely to spread to nearby healthy brain tissue. However, if the tumor grows in a sensitive area of the brain and presses on that area, it can cause serious, life-threatening conditions.
- Malignant Brain Tumors: These are what we call 'brain tumors'. They contain cancer cells. Some tumors grow quickly, while others grow slowly. The main characteristic of these tumors is that they invade and spread to surrounding healthy brain tissue. However, these tumors rarely spread to other parts of the body.
What are the "grades" of brain tumors?
A doctor will take a small sample (biopsy) of your tumor and examine it to see how normal or abnormal the cells are. This is called the grade of the tumor. This grade will determine the best treatment for you. It can also give you an idea of how fast the tumor is likely to grow.
| Grade | Simple explanation |
|---|---|
| Grade 1 | The cells look normal. They grow very slowly. After these, you can live a long time with good health. |
| Grade 2 | There are slight abnormalities in the cells. It grows slowly. But it can spread to surrounding tissues and then recur. Sometimes when it comes back, it can be more severe. |
| Grade 3 | The cells are abnormal in appearance. They actively spread and grow into surrounding brain tissue. They are more likely to recur. |
| Grade 4 | The cells are very abnormal. They grow and spread very quickly. These are the most severe type. |
Common types of brain cancer among adults
Commonly seen types
- Astrocytomas: These are the most common type of primary brain cancer. They arise from a type of star-shaped cell in the brain called astrocytes. They can be of any grade. They can cause symptoms such as seizures or behavioral changes .
- Meningiomas: This is the most common type of primary brain tumor in adults. It is especially common in people in their 70s and 80s. They develop in the membranes that cover the brain (the meninges). They can often be graded 1, 2, or 3. Most of the time, these are benign, slow-growing tumors.
- Oligodendrogliomas: These arise from cells that form a protective covering around nerves. They are also usually slow-growing and do not spread much.
Rarely seen species
There are several other types of cancer, but they are somewhat rare.
- Ependymomas: These are a rare type of cancer that develops in the brain or spinal cord.
- Mixed gliomas: These are made up of more than one type of cell.
- Medulloblastoma: These are most common in children, but can also occur in adults. They are a fast-growing type of cancer.
How is it treated?
The treatment you receive depends on several factors, such as the type and grade of the cancer, where it is in the brain, how large it is, and your age and overall health.
Your doctor will consider all of this and recommend the best treatment plan for you. There are several main treatment options:
- Surgery: This is usually the first and most important treatment. If a grade 1 tumor is completely removed with surgery, it may be cured on its own. Sometimes, although the tumor cannot be completely removed, surgery can help reduce its size and control symptoms.
- Radiation Therapy: This treatment is used after surgery to destroy any remaining cancer cells. In cases where surgery is not possible, radiation therapy alone may be given.
- Chemotherapy: This involves giving drugs that kill cancer cells. These can be given as pills or as an injection into a vein (IV).
- Targeted Therapy: This is a new type of treatment. These drugs directly target only specific parts of cancer cells. Therefore, there is less damage to healthy cells.
- Combined Therapies: Sometimes, for the best results, doctors may use more than one of these treatments (for example, surgery and radiation therapy).
If you are diagnosed with cancer, the most important thing is not to panic and to work closely with your doctor . It is very important to follow the treatment plan he gives you exactly and to go to the clinics on the scheduled days.
Take-Home Message
- Don't be afraid when you hear the word 'brain tumor'. Because not all tumors are cancerous. Some can be benign.
- There are two main types of brain tumors: primary tumors, which start in the brain, and secondary tumors, which spread to the brain from elsewhere in the body.
- The grade of the tumor determines its severity and treatment methods.
- There are various treatment options, such as surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. Your doctor will decide what is best for you.
- If you have any doubts or symptoms, it is best to consult a qualified doctor as soon as possible. That is the best thing you can do.
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න