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Complete Information on Brain TumorBY: Ritu Choudhary | Category: Brain Tumors | Submitted: 2010-05-10 10:22:35
Brain tumor is uncontrollable abnormal growth of cells that may develop from the brainstem, brain envelopes or cranial nerves. Every year in US approximately 2000 children are detected with malignant tumors. Well apart from developing cancer cells in brain, it can also be cased by metastasis of tumor cells from another part of the body. Therefore complete routine check-up is essential rather then specific area check up when symptoms start appearing. Brain tumor can be malignant or benign. Benign tumor is non cancerous in nature and it does not recur once removed after operation. Unlike benign tumor malignant brain tumors are cancerous in nature. Growth of malignant brain tumors are quite fast and reach surrounding tissue. Usually malignant brain tumors rarely metastasize in other parts of the body, but possibility of recurrence may be there after treatment. Brain tumor vary in different age group, it means occurrence of brain tumors in children are different from adult brain tumors, in terms of treatment response and tumor cell type. Brain tumors are not easily detectable because initial symptoms are not very noticeable. Many people relate these symptoms with poor routine or eating habits or due to over stress that's why it is diagnosed very late. But some brain tumor symptoms like vomiting, headaches and dilated pupils are some of the serious and earliest signs that need immediate attention. With the growth of brain tumor, intracranial pressure also increases which gives pressure on the other parts of the brain and sometimes it becomes lethal due to brainstem compression. In young children, due to increase in tumor diameter size can make the fontanelles bulge. Brain tumor symptoms depend on the location and size of the tumor. Usually symptoms are caused by the increase intracranial pressure in or around the brain. Due to increased intracranial pressure symptoms that appear are headache, irritability, drowsiness, vomiting, personality changes, nausea, depression, decreased respiratory and cardiac function that may lead to coma if not treated. If tumor present in cerebrum (front of brain) then symptoms may include seizures slurred speech, weakness on half of the body or face, paralysis, visual changes, increased intracranial pressure, confusion and personality changes. Symptoms of tumor present in brainstem (middle of brain) include headaches, paralysis of half of the body or muscles of the face, seizures, visual changes or double vision, respiratory changes. Brain tumors can be diagnosed by many procedures like Neurological exam, Computerized tomography scan, Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), Bone scan and Lumbar puncture/spinal tap. In neurological exam physician check muscle strength, reflexes, mouth and eye movement and coordination. In computerized tomography scan (CT scan) gives detailed pictures of the brain parts including the muscles, fat bones. In Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain gives more clear and detail picture of brain than CT scan therefore it considered as the major diagnostic procedure for detecting brain tumors. Bone scan procedure is used for detecting bone abnormalities and tumor in brain by taking x-rays or pictures. Lumbar puncture procedure is also performed for detecting brain tumor where spinal needle is inserted in spinal canal to collect cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) and sent for testing. Brain tumors treatment depends on the age, medical history, overall health, location and type of tumor, size of the tumor, stage of the disease, child's tolerance for specific procedures, medications. But the first line of treatment for brain tumor is surgery which includes removal of the tumor without hampering the neurological function. Surgery is also performed for taking biopsy to check the cell type. Apart from surgery treatments include Steroids to prevent and treat swelling in the brain, Radiation therapy, Chemotherapy, Anti-seizure medication to prevent and treat seizures. Article Source: http://www.cancer-surgery.com/ About Author / Additional Info: I am not a cancer doctor. Always consult your doctor before taking any action or conclusion regarding your medical condition. Comments on this article: (0 comments so far)
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