|
Brain Tumors - Symptoms and Treatment
Tumors of the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) can occur as a result of cancer which starts in the brain, or which gets to the brain after spreading (metastasis) from other body areas. In the last 20 years, the availability of brain CT-scanning, and MRI scanning have made the diagnosis, and, to a certain extent, the treatment of brain tumors a great deal more simple. For those individuals who have cancers in other parts of the body, that have spread to the brain (and multiple locations), usually do not require a brain tumor biopsy for diagnosis. On the other hand, solitary brain tumors which start in the brain are frequently biopsied in order to determine the exact type of cancer and the likelihood of whether they will spread and cause further damage.
Symptoms of Brain Tumors
Symptoms for brain tumors are typically similar to those of a stroke although they may have a more chronic (slowly, over time) onset. If it has been growing slowly, the brain tumor may be quite large at the time of diagnosis. Persistent headache, speech difficulties, difficulty walking, confusion, and problems with vision have all been reported.
Evaluation and Treatment of Brain Tumors
Evaluation will include CT-scanning or, preferably, MRI scanning of the brain. Questionable areas appearing on scan that could indicate tumor will often require biopsy. Biopsy is performed by a Neurosurgeon.
Treatment of brain tumors includes surgical removal and/or radiation therapy either by external beam or "stereotactic radiosurgery" (well focused administration of radiation to the brain through the use of specialized scanning equipment which produces a 3-dimensional image). Chemotherapy is occasionally utilized in the treatment of brain tumors when the other modalities have not been successful.
Common malignant tumors of the brain are usually fatal although treatment may arrest tumor growth for a period of time. In most cases, cancerous involvement in the brain from other locations (metastasis) is fatal. Exceptions would include those occasional leukemias that are found in the spinal fluid (the fluid which normally surrounds the brain and spinal cord) at the time of the original diagnosis.
|
