Brain tumors are tumors that grow in the brain. A tumor is an abnormal growth caused by cells reproducing themselves in an uncontrolled manner. Brain tumors typically are categorized as either primary or secondary. Primary brain tumors originate in your brain and can be noncancerous (benign) or cancerous (malignant). Secondary brain tumors result from cancer that began elsewhere and spread to your brain. Primary brain tumors are less common than secondary brain tumors. Brain tumors are classified depending on the exact site of the tumor, the type of tissue involved, benign or malignant tendencies of the tumor, and other factors. Primary brain tumors can arise from the brain cells, the meninges (membranes around the brain), nerves, or glands. Each year approximately 190,000 people in the United States and 10,000 people in Canada will be diagnosed with a primary or metastatic brain tumor. Symptoms of brain tumors may depend on two factors: tumor size (volume) and tumor location. The time point of symptom onset in the course of disease correlates in many cases with the nature of the tumor.
Brain tumor patients, including those with certain “benign” brain tumors, have poorer survival rates than breast cancer patients. In children under 2, about 70% of brain tumors are medulloblastoma, ependymoma, and low-grade glioma. Less commonly, and seen usually in infants, are teratoma and atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor. Brain tumors are the leading cause of Solid tumor death in children under age 20 now surpassing acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), and are the third leading cause of cancer death in young adults ages 20-39. Tumors may occur at any age, but many specific tumors have a particular age group in which they are most common. In adults, gliomas and meningiomas are most common. There are over 120 different types of brain tumors. Specific tumor types is Astrocytic tumors include astrocytomas (less malignant), anaplastic astrocytomas, and glioblastomas (most malignant). Astrocytomas can progress over time more malignant forms, including glioblastoma.
Photodynamic therapy uses a special drug (Photofrin) that is absorbed by the tumor. Retinoids are vitamin A derivatives and act as differentiating drugs in cancer Treatments. Oligodendroglial tumors also can vary from low grade to very malignant. Surgery is necessary for most primary brain tumors. Some tumors may be completely removed. A biopsy is a surgical procedure used to remove a small amount of tumor tissue. Radiation therapy (also called radiotherapy) is the use of high-powered rays to damage cancer cells and stop them from growing. Stereotactic radiosurgery is another way to treat brain tumors. Chemotherapy is the use of drugs to kill cancer cells. Conventional radiation therapy delivers radiation to an entire region of the brain. Immunotherapy aims at using modalities that boost the patient’s own immune system’s ability to seek out and destroy cancerous cells. Steroids may be used temporarily following surgery or during radiation because these treatments often cause edema.
Brain Tumors Treatment Tips
1. Surgery is the treatment of choice for accessible brain tumors.
2. Conventional radiation therapy uses external beams of either x or gamma rays aimed at the tumor.
3. Chemotherapy may be used before, during, or after surgery and radiation therapy.
4. Steroids control the swelling due to accumulation of fluids (edema) often associated with brain tumors.
5. Immunotherapy uses biological response modifiers (BRMs)to fight tumor cells.
6. Anti-convulsants such as phenytoin to reduce seizures.
7. Antacids or histamine blockers to control stress ulcers.