HEALTH: BRAIN CANCER (BRAIN TUMOR) SYMPTOMS & TREATMENT

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HEALTH - BRAIN CANCER (BRAIN TUMOR) SYMPTOMS & TREATMENT

What is Brain Tumor?

Brain cancer is a disease of the brain where cancer cells (malignant) grow in the brain tissue. Cancer cells grow to form a mass of cancer tissue (tumor) that interferes with brain tissue functions such as muscle control, sensation, memory, and other normal body functions. Tumors composed of cancer cells are called malignant tumors, and those composed of noncancerous cells are called benign tumors. Cancer cells that develop from brain tissue are called primary brain tumors. Statistics suggest that brain cancer is not rare and is likely to develop in about 20,000 people per year.

A brain tumor is a mass or growth of abnormal cells in your brain. Many different types of brain tumors exist.  Brain tumors can begin in your brain (primary brain tumors), or cancer can begin in other parts of your body and spread to your brain (secondary, or metastatic brain tumors).

Cancer cells that develop in a body organ such as the lung (primary cancer tissue type) can go to other body organs such as the brain. Tumors formed by such cancer cells that spread (metastasize) to other organs are called metastatic tumors. Metastatic brain cancer is a mass of cells (tumor) that originated in another body organ and has spread into the brain tissue. Metastatic tumors in the brain are more common than primary brain tumors. 

The number of brain tumors diagnosed each year is increasing. There's evidence the increase has been occurring for decades. But it's not clear why.

Health: Causes of Brain Cancer (Brain Tumor)

Primary brain tumors arise from many types of brain tissue (for example, glial cells, astrocytes, and other brain cell types). Metastatic brain cancer is caused by the spread of cancer cells from a body organ to the brain. However, the causes for the change from normal cells to cancer cells in both metastatic and primary brain tumors are not fully understood. Data gathered by research scientists show that people with certain risk factors (situations or things associated with people that increase the probability of developing health problems) are more likely to develop brain cancer.

Individuals with risk factors such as having a job in an oil refinery, as a chemist, embalmer, or rubber-industry worker show higher rates of brain cancer. Some families have several members with brain cancer, but heredity as a cause for brain tumors has not been proven. Other risk factors such as smoking, radiation exposure, and viral infection (HIV) have been suggested but not proven to cause brain cancer. There is no good evidence that brain cancer is contagious, caused by head trauma, or caused by cell phone use.

Brain tumors that begin in the brain
Primary brain tumors originate in the brain or close to it, such as in the brain-covering membranes (meninges), cranial nerves, pituitary gland or pineal gland. Primary brain tumors begin when normal cells acquire errors (mutations) in their DNA. These mutations allow cells to grow and divide at increased rates and to continue living when healthy cells would die. The result is a mass of abnormal cells, which forms a tumor.

Primary brain tumors are much less common than are secondary brain tumors, in which cancer begins elsewhere and spreads to the brain. Many different types of primary brain tumors exist. Each gets its name from the type of cells involved.

Cancer that begins elsewhere and spreads to the brain
Secondary (metastatic) brain tumors are tumors that result from cancer that starts elsewhere in your body and then spreads (metastasizes) to your brain. In some cases you may have a history of cancer when a brain tumor is discovered. In other cases, a brain tumor is the first sign of cancer that began elsewhere in your body.

Secondary brain tumors are far more common than are primary brain tumors. Any cancer can spread to the brain, but the most common ones include:

• Breast cancer
• Colon cancer
• Kidney cancer
• Lung cancer
• Melanoma
• Neuroblastoma
• Sarcoma

Health: Risk factors of Brain Cancer (Brain Tumor)

A risk factor is anything that increases a person’s chance of developing cancer. Some risk factors can be controlled, such as smoking, and some cannot be controlled, such as age and family history. Although risk factors can influence the development of cancer brain tumor, most do not directly cause cancer brain tumor. Some people with several risk factors never develop cancer brain tumor, while others with no known risk factors do. However, knowing your risk factors and communicating them to your doctor may help you make more informed lifestyle and health-care choices.

The following factors may increase a person’s risk of developing a brain tumor:

Age. Children and older adults are the two groups most likely to be diagnosed with brain tumors.

Gender. Men are generally more likely than women to develop gliomas, while women are more likely to have meningiomas.

Home/occupational exposures. Occupational exposures to solvents, pesticides, oil products, rubber, or vinyl chloride may increase the risk of developing a brain tumor, although there is no scientific evidence to date. Black hair dye has also been researched as a potential cause of brain tumors, although the data remain inconclusive at this time.

Family history. Some genetic conditions, such as von Hippel-Lindau disease,Turcot syndrome, or neurofibromatosis, increase the health risk of developing a brain tumor. Genetic predisposition accounts for less than 5% of brain tumors.

Exposure to infections, viruses, and allergens. Infection with the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) increases the risk of CNS lymphoma; EBV is more commonly known as the virus that causes mononucleosis. Several types of other viruses have been shown to cause brain tumors in experimental animal studies; however, more data are needed to determine if exposure to infections, other viruses, or allergens affect the risk of a brain tumor in people.

Electromagnetic fields. Electromagnetic fields, such as energy from power lines or from cell phone use, may or may not increase the risk of developing a brain tumor, as current research has shown conflicting results. At this time, more research is needed. Because the research is inconclusive, caution should be taken with cell phone use in children while the brain is still developing. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends limiting cell phone use and promotes the use of a headset for both adults and children.

Race and ethnicity. In the United States, white people have higher health rates of gliomas but lower health rates of meningiomas than black people. Also, the health rate of malignant brain tumors in Japan is less than half the health rate found in northern Europe.

Ionizing radiation. Treatment with ionizing radiation (including x-rays) has shown, in some cases, to be a risk factor for a brain tumor.

Head injury and seizures. Serious head trauma has long been studied for its relationship to brain tumors. Some studies have shown a link between head trauma and meningioma, but not one between head trauma and glioma. A history of seizures has long been associated with brain tumors, but because a brain tumor can cause seizures, it is not known if seizures increase the risk of brain tumors, if seizures occur as a consequence of the tumor, or if anti-seizure medication increases the health risk.

Diet (N-nitroso compounds). Some studies of diet and vitamin supplementation seem to indicate that dietary N-nitroso compounds may raise the risk of both childhood and adult brain tumors. Dietary N-nitroso compounds are found in some cured meats, cigarette smoke, and cosmetics. However, additional research is necessary before a definitive link can be established health wise.

Exposure to nerve agents. One study has shown that some Gulf War veterans are at increased risk of a brain tumor due to exposure to nerve agents; however, additional research is necessary before a definitive link can be established health wise.

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Health: Symptoms of Brain Cancer (Brain Tumor)

People with a brain tumor may experience the following symptoms. Sometimes, people with a brain tumor do not show any of these symptoms. Or, these symptoms may be caused by a medical condition that is not a brain tumor. If you are concerned about a symptom on this list, please talk with your doctor or health care provider.

Symptoms of a brain tumor can be general (due to the pressure of the tumor on the brain or spinal cord) or specific (due to the interruption of the normal functioning of a specific part of the brain). Typically, a brain tumor is not diagnosed until symptoms begin.

General symptoms include:

• Headaches, which may be severe and may worsen with activity or in the early morning
  
  
• Seizures
  
  
• Personality or memory changes
  
  
• Nausea or vomiting
  
  
• Vision changes, such as blurred vision

Symptoms that may be specific to the location of the tumor include:

• Pressure or headache near the tumor
  
  
• Loss of balance and difficulty with fine motor skills (cerebellum)
  
  
• Changes in judgment, including loss of initiative, sluggishness, and muscle weakness or paralysis (frontal lobe of the cerebrum)
  
  
• Partial or complete loss of vision (occipital lobe or temporal lobe of the cerebrum)
  
  
• Changes in speech, hearing, memory, or emotional state, such as aggressiveness and problems understanding or retrieving words (frontal and temporal lobe of cerebrum)
  
  
• Altered perception of touch or pressure, arm or leg weakness on one side of the body, or confusion with left and right sides of the body (frontal or parietal lobe of the cerebrum)
  
  
• Inability to look upward (pineal tumor)
  
  
• Lactation and altered menstrual periods in women, and growth in hands and feet in adults (pituitary tumor)
  
  
• Difficulty swallowing, facial weakness or numbness, or double vision (brain stem)

• Hormonal (endocrine) disorders

• Hearing problems

Make an appointment with your doctor or health care provider, if you have symptoms that concern you. These may include headaches that progressively worsen, are particularly severe, are always in the same location or are accompanied by nausea or vomiting or by blurred or double vision.


Health: Diagnosis of Brain Cancer (Brain Tumor)

Based on the results of the diagnostic tests and the biopsy, the doctor will recommend treatment options.

Imaging tests. Each radiologic test can provide specific information, but they must be combined with the results of the patient history, physical examination, and neurologic tests. The most common imaging tests used for diagnosing brain tumors include:

• An MRI uses magnetic fields, not x-rays, to produce detailed images of the body. MRIs may create more detailed pictures than CT scans (see below) and are the preferred method of diagnosing a brain tumor. The use of intravaneous (IV) gadolinium-enhanced MRI may help to aid in the diagnosis. This is when the contrast (gadolinium) medium (a special dye) is given to the patient after the regular MRI has been completed, and another series of pictures are taken.
  
  A spinal MRI may be used in diagnosing a tumor on or near the spine.
  
  A functional MRI (fMRI) provides information about the location of specific areas of the brain that are responsible for muscle movement and speech. During the fMRI examination, the patient is asked to perform certain tasks that result in detectable changes in the brain and can be seen on the fMRI image. This test is often used in surgical planning, so the surgeon can avoid damaging the functional area of the brain while removing the tumor.
  
  
• Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) is a test using MRI that provides information on the chemical composition of the brain. It has shown usefulness in distinguishing dead (necrotic) tissue caused by previous radiation treatments from new tumor cells in the brain.
  
  
• A CT scan creates a three-dimensional picture of the inside of the body. A computer then puts these images into a detailed, cross-sectional view that shows any abnormalities or tumors. Sometimes, a contrast medium is injected into the patient’s vein to provide better detail to aid in the diagnosis, particularly if the patient is not able to undergo an MRI (such as if the person has a pacemaker).
  
  
• A PET scan is a way to create pictures of organs and tissues inside the body. A small amount of a radioactive substance is injected into a patient’s body and absorbed by the organs or tissues being studied. This substance gives off energy that is detected by a scanner, which produces the images.
  
  
• Because a brain tumor can spread to other parts of the brain or the spinal cord, the doctor may order a myelogram to look for metastases. A myelogram uses a dye injected into the CSF that surrounds the spinal cord. The dye shows up on x-ray and can outline the spinal cord to help the doctor look for tumors.

Neurological, vision, and hearing tests. These tests help determine the suspected tumor’s effects on the brain’s functioning. An eye examination can detect changes to the optic nerve.

Blood tests. Blood tests can detect tumor markers (substances found in higher than normal amounts in the blood, urine, or body tissues of people with certain types of cancer).

Lumbar puncture (spinal tap). A lumbar puncture is a procedure in which a doctor takes a sample of CSF to look for cancer cells, blood, or tumor markers. Doctors generally give an anesthetic to numb the lower back before the procedure.

Electroencephalography (EEG). An EEG is a noninvasive test in which electrodes are attached to a person's scalp to measure electrical activity of the brain.

Cerebral arteriogram (also called cerebral angiogram). A cerebral arteriogram is an x-ray, or series of x-rays, of the head that shows the arteries in the brain. To help see the blood vessels, a contrast medium is injected through a catheter (long, hollow tube), usually placed in the patient’s thigh.

Stereotactic biopsy. In this procedure, a doctor uses computer guidance to insert a needle into a precise location of the tumor and retrieve a tissue sample. A biopsy is the removal of a small amount of tissue for examination under a microscope and is the only definitive way a brain cancer diagnosis can be made. The sample removed from the biopsy is analyzed by a pathologist (a doctor who specializes in interpreting laboratory tests and evaluating cells, tissues, and organs to diagnose disease). Often, a biopsy is performed if surgical removal of the tumor is not possible due to its location or the medical condition of the patient.

Evoked potentials. Evoked potentials involve the use of electrodes to measure the electrical activity of nerves and can often detect acoustic schwannoma, a benign brain tumor. This test can be used as a guide during surgical removal of a tumor that is growing around important nerves.

Staging of Brain Tumor (brain cancer)

Staging is a way of describing a tumor, such as where it is located, if or where it has spread, and if it is affecting the functions of other organs in the body. After a brain tumor has been diagnosed, additional tests will be done to learn more about the tumor. There is no formal staging system for adult brain tumors. Primary brain tumors typically do not spread outside of the CNS. Instead, the degree of malignancy is often determined by characteristics of the tumor seen under the microscope. There are six health factors to establish the course of brain tumor treatment and determine prognosis (chance of recovery):

Tumor histology. How a tumor looks under a microscope is called tumor histology. A sample of the tumor is removed during surgery or the biopsy for examination.

Normal brain tissue usually has differentiated tissue (different types of cells grouped together). Brain tissue that is cancerous is usually made up of cells that look more alike. In general, the more differentiated the brain tissue (and the lower the grade), the better the prognosis.

To determine histology of a tumor, doctors look at several factors including, but not limited to, the following:

• Mitosis (the number of cells dividing)
  
  
• Hypercellularity (if the tumor contains large numbers of cells)
  
  
• Vascular proliferation (if blood vessels in the tumor are growing)
  
  
• Necrosis (if there is any dead tissue in the tumor)

The pathologist can determine the type of tumor and its grade. To decide on the best treatment for a brain tumor, both the type and grade of the tumor must be established. In general, a tumor is referred to by grade. The higher the grade, the more rapidly growing the tumor is. For astrocytoma, the grade is determined by its features, as seen under a microscope, according to the following criteria:

• Grade I represents a separate group of tumors. It refers to a juvenile pilocytic astrocytoma (JPA). The term juvenile does not refer to the age of the patient, but rather the type of cell. This is a benign, slow-growing tumor that can typically be cured with surgery. It is different from a low-grade astrocytoma or Grade II glioma, which have a high probability of a recurrence.
  
  
• A grade II tumor does not have mitosis, vascular proliferation, or necrosis, but exhibits increased cellularity.
  
  
• A grade III tumor is hypercellular and has mitosis but no vascular proliferation and no necrosis.
  
  
• A grade IV tumor has vascular proliferation and/or necrosis in addition to the factors common to grade II and III tumors.

Age of patient. In adults, the age of the patient (as well as his or her level of functioning, called functional status) at the time of diagnosis is one of the most significant predictors of outcome. In general, the younger the adult, the better the outcome.

Extent of tumor residual. Resection refers to surgery to remove a tumor, and residual refers to how much of the tumor remains in the body after surgery. Four classifications are used:

• Gross total:The entire tumor was removed (microscopic cells may remain).
  
  
• Subtotal: Large portions of the tumor were removed.
  
  
• Partial: Only part of the tumor was removed.
  
  
• Biopsy only: Only a small portion, used for a biopsy, was removed.

The outcome is most favorable when all of the tumor can be surgically removed.

Tumor location. A tumor can form in any part of the brain. Some tumor locations cause greater damage than others, and some tumors are harder to treat due to their location than others.

Functional neurologic status. The doctor will test how well a patient is able to function and carry out normal activities by using a functional assessment scale, such as the Karnofsky Performance Scale (KPS).A higher score indicates a better functional status. Typically, the better someone is able to walk and care for themselves indicates a better prognosis health wise.

Neurocognitive assessment. This consists of a detailed assessment of all major functions of the brain, such as storage and retrieval of memory, expressive and receptive language abilities, calculation, dexterity, and the overall well-being of the patient. These tests are conducted by a licensed clinical neuropsychologist, who will write a formal report to be used for comparison with future assessments or to identify specific health problems that can be helped through treatment.

Metastatic spread. A tumor that starts in the brain or spinal cord rarely metastasizes to other parts of the body in adults. For that reason, with few exceptions, tests looking at the other organs of the body are typically not needed.

Biogenetic markers. Certain molecular markers found in the tumor tissue can provide health information on the tumor’s response to treatment. For instance, for oligodendroglioma, the loss of part of chromosome 1 on the p part of the chromosome, and the loss of part of chromosome 19 on the q part of the chromosome (called 1p and 19q) is associated with a much better response to chemotherapy and more successful treatment. Also, in glioblastoma, the modification of a gene called MGMT appears to be associated with improved responsiveness to treatment and better prognosis, but this is being tested in clinical trials (research studies).

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Health: Conventional Treatment for Brain Cancer  (Brain Tumor)

Survival of treated brain cancer varies with the cancer type, location, and overall age and general health of the patient. In general, most treatment plans seldom result in a cure. Survival greater that five years, which is considered to be long-term survival, is less than 10% no matter what treatment plan is used.

So, why use any treatment plan? Without treatment, brain cancers are usually aggressive and result in death within a short time span. Treatment plans can prolong survival and can improve the patient's quality of life for some time. Again, the patient and caregivers should discuss their prognosis when deciding on treatment plans.

The treatment of an adult brain tumor depends on many factors, including the size, location, type, and grade of the tumor, whether it is cancerous, whether it has spread to other parts of the CNS or body, and the person’s age and overall health. People diagnosed with a CNS tumor generally need to seek treatment as soon as possible, because some tumors can grow quickly and cause severe symptoms.

In many cases, a team of doctors will work with the patient to determine the best treatment plan. Successfully treating brain and spinal cord tumors can be challenging. The blood-brain barrier, which normally serves to protect the brain and spinal cord from harmful chemicals entering those structures through the bloodstream, also keeps out many types of potentially beneficial drugs. Surgery can be difficult if the tumor is near a delicate portion of the brain or spinal cord. Radiation therapy can damage healthy tissue.

Surgery

Surgery is the first treatment most commonly used for a brain tumor and is often the only treatment needed for a benign brain tumor.

Surgery to the brain requires the removal of part of the skull, a procedure called a craniotomy. After the surgeon removes the tumor, the patient's own bone will be used to cover the opening in the skull.

There have been rapid advances in surgery for brain tumors, including the use of cortical mapping and enhanced imaging devices to give surgeons more tools to plan and perform the surgery. For a tumor that is near the speech center, it is increasingly common to perform the operation when the patient is awake for part of the surgery; typically, the patient is awakened once the surface of the brain is exposed, and special electrical stimulation techniques are used to locate the speech center and thereby avoid causing damage while removing the tumor.

In addition to removing or reducing the size of the brain tumor, surgery can provide a tissue sample for biopsy analysis. For some tumor types, the results of the analysis can help in showing if chemotherapy or radiation therapy will be useful. In a cancerous tumor, even if the cancer cannot be cured, its removal can relieve symptoms if it is creating pressure on parts of the brain.

Surgical side effects include an increase in current symptoms, damage to normal brain tissue, brain swelling, and seizures. Other changes in brain functions such as muscle weakness, mental changes, and decreases in any brain-controlled function can occur. Combinations of these side effects may happen. The side effects are most noticeable shortly after surgery but frequently decline with time. Occasionally, the side effects do not decline.

Radiation therapy

Radiation therapy is the use of high-energy x-rays or other particles to kill cancer cells. Doctors may use radiation therapy along with surgery to slow or stop the growth of tumors. Radiation can be directed in the following ways:

Conventional radiation therapy. The treatment location is determined based on anatomic landmarks and x-rays. In certain situations, such as whole brain radiation therapy for brain metastases, this technique is appropriate. For more precise targeting, different techniques are required.

Intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT). Radiation therapy is delivered with greater intensity or dose to thicker areas of the tumor and with less intensity to thinner areas of the tumor. This is accomplished by placing tiny metal leaves in the beam to reduce the intensity of the beam in order to customize the shape of the dose to the shape of the tumor.

Three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy. Based on CT and MRI images, a three-dimensional model of the tumor and normal tissues is created on a computer. Beam size and angles are determined that maximize tumor dose and minimize normal tissue dose.

Stereotactic radiosurgery. Stereotactic radiosurgery involves delivering a single, high dose of radiation directly to the tumor and not healthy tissues. It works best for a tumor that is only in one area of the brain and certain benign tumors, but is also used for multiple metastatic brain tumors. There are three methods by which stereotactic radiosurgery is performed:

• A modified linear accelerator is a machine that creates high-energy radiation by using electricity to form a stream of fast-moving subatomic particles.
  
  
• A gamma knife is another form of radiation therapy that concentrates highly focused beams of gamma radiation on the tumor.
  
  
• A cyber knife is a robotic device used in radiation therapy to guide radiation to the tumor target—particularly in the brain, head, and neck regions.

Fractionated stereotactic radiation therapy. Radiation therapy is delivered with stereotactic precision but divided into small daily fractions over several weeks using a relocatable head frame, in contrast to the one-day radiosurgery. This technique is used for tumors located close to sensitive structures, such as the optic nerves or brain stem.

All of these more elaborate techniques are designed to achieve greater precision and reduce radiation exposure to the surrounding normal brain tissue. Depending on the size and location of the tumor, the radiation oncologist may choose any of the above radiation techniques. In certain situations, a combination of two or more techniques is appropriate.

Radiation therapy is usually not recommended for children younger than 5 because of high risk of damage to their developing brains.

Side effects from radiation therapy may include fatigue, mild skin reactions, upset stomach, and loose bowel movements. Most side effects go away soon after treatment is finished.

Radiation therapy has most of the same side effects as chemotherapy. Most radiation therapy is focused onto the brain cancer tissue, so some systems do not receive direct radiation (immune system, kidneys, and others). The effects on systems not receiving the direct radiation are usually not as severe as those seen with chemotherapy.

Side effects from radiation therapy may include fatigue, mild skin reactions, upset stomach, and loose bowel movements. However, hair and skin are usually affected, resulting in hair loss (sometimes permanently) and reddish and darkened skin that needs protection from the sun. Most side effects go away soon after treatment is finished.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is the use of drugs to kill cancer cells. Systemic chemotherapy is delivered through the bloodstream, targeting cancer cells throughout the body. The goal of chemotherapy can be to destroy cancer cells remaining after surgery, slow the tumor’s growth, or reduce symptoms.

Chemotherapy can be delivered orally (by mouth), intravenously (IV, by vein), or directly into the tumor cavity. IV chemotherapy is either injected directly into a vein or through a thin tube called a catheter, a tube temporarily put into a large vein to make injections easier.

For a malignant brain tumor, it is expected that a combination of treatments will be required. Typically, treatment begins with surgery, followed by radiation therapy and chemotherapy. Occasionally, the chemotherapy may come before the radiation therapy. In other situations, the chemotherapy is administered during the radiation therapy. The decision on what sequence to follow is made by the oncologist or neuro-oncologist.

Some drugs are better at going through the blood-brain barrier, and doctors may recommend a single drug or a combination of chemotherapy. Gliadel wafers are one delivery method for the drug carmustine (BCNU). Temozolomide (Temodar) is an oral drug that has also been approved for use in treating people with Grade III tumors that have recurred and at diagnosis for people with Grade IV astrocytomas.

The latest standard of care for patients with glioblastoma is radiation therapy with daily low-dose temozolomide, followed by monthly doses of temozolomide after radiation therapy for six months to one year. Patients are monitored with brain MRI every two to three months; treatment is stopped if tumor growth is seen.

The side effects of chemotherapy depend on the individual and the dose used, but can include fatigue, risk of infection, nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite and diarrhea. These side effects usually go away once treatment is finished. Rarely, certain drugs may cause some hearing loss. Others may cause kidney damage. Patients may be given extra fluid intravenously for kidney protection. The doctor may also prescribe corticosteroids to reduce swelling and help to relieve symptoms.

The medications used to treat cancer are constantly being evaluated. Talking with your doctor is often the best way to learn about the medications prescribed for you, their purpose, and their potential side effects or interactions with other medications.

Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy (also called biologic therapy) is designed to boost the body's natural defenses to fight the cancer. It uses materials either made by the body or in a laboratory to bolster, target, or restore immune system function.Different methods are being applied, such as the use of dendritic cells or the use of vaccines aimed against a specific molecule that is expressed on the surface of the tumor cells. 

Advanced/recurrent brain tumors

If, in spite of initial treatment, the brain tumor does not go into remission (the temporary or permanent disappearance of symptoms) or if it recurs, treatment can still manage the symptoms caused by the tumor. Symptom management is always important since the symptoms of a brain tumor can interfere with quality of life.

Currently, no standard treatment exists for most tumors, including glial tumors, at the time of recurrence. This is often the setting where experimental treatments are evaluated in clinical trials.

Health: Complications of Brain Cancer (Brain Tumor)

A brain tumor can cause complications depending on the part of your brain that's affected. Complications can include:

• Weakness. A brain tumor can damage any part of the brain. But if the part of the brain involved happens to control strength or movement of an arm or leg, it could produce definite weakness in that part of the body. Weakness caused by a brain tumor can be very similar to that caused by a stroke.
• Vision changes. A brain tumor that damages the nerves that connect to the eyes or the part of the brain that processes visual information (visual cortex) can lead to vision problems, such as double vision or a reduced field of vision.
• Headaches. A brain tumor that causes increased pressure within the brain can cause headaches. These headaches can be severe and unrelenting and may be accompanied by nausea and vomiting. Headaches can be due to the tumor itself, or they can result from fluid building up in the brain (hydrocephalus).
• Personality changes. Tumors in certain areas of the brain may cause personality changes or changes in behavior.
• Hearing loss. Brain tumors that affect the auditory nerves — especially acoustic neuromas — may cause hearing loss in the ear on the involved side of the brain.
• Seizures. A brain tumor can cause irritation to the brain that can result in a seizure.

Health: Coping with Brain Cancer (Brain Tumor)

A diagnosis of a brain tumor can be overwhelming and frightening. It can make you feel like you have little control over your health. But you can take steps to cope with the shock and grief that may come after your diagnosis. Consider trying to:

• Find out all you can about your specific brain tumor. Write down your questions and bring them with you to your appointments. As your doctor answers your questions, take notes or ask a family member to come along to appointments and take notes. The more you and your family know and understand about each aspect of your care, the more confident you'll feel when it comes time to make treatment decisions.
• Find someone you can talk with. Find someone you can share your feelings with. You may have a close friend or family member who is a good listener. Or speak with a clergy member or counselor. Other people with brain tumors may be able to offer unique insight. Ask your doctor about support groups in your area. Online message boards, such as those offered by the National Brain Tumor Foundation, are another option.
• Take care of yourself. Take care of your body and your mind during treatment. Choose a healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Exercise when you feel up to it. Get enough sleep so that you feel rested. Reduce stress in your life by taking time for relaxing activities, such as listening to music or writing in a health journal.

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Disclaimer:    This information is not presented by a medical practitioner.  Therefore any content of this site is strictly intended for educational and informational purpose only.  Any access to this site is strictly on a voluntary basis and at the sole discretion of the user.  No content of this site is intended as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment, nor constitute the practice of any medical profession or health care provider.  The information provided on this site is here to educate visitors on health issues that may affect their lives.  Otherwise, always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.  And never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read.

Sources:  NIH News In Health/National Institutes of Health/National Library of Medicine/Dept of Health and Human Services

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