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2017-6-12
Seek medical attention early, brain tumors are not incurable
The brain can be roughly divided into the cerebrum, cerebellum, and brainstem. The brain acts as the chief commander of human body functions. It is composed of two elliptical hemispheres. Each hemisphere has four components, including the brain lobe, frontal lobe, parietal lobe, temporal lobe and The occipital lobes each control different functions of the body. When the local brain tissue undergoes abnormal division and proliferation, tumor masses will form, which may be benign tumors, but it may also be malignant tumors, commonly known as brain cancers.
Brain tumors can be divided into two types
If the tumor starts in the brain, it is called a primary brain tumor. If the tumor has spread to the brain from other parts of the body, it is called a secondary brain tumor. Among the various types of cancer, lung cancer and breast cancer are the easiest to spread to the brain.
As long as benign brain tumors are removed surgically, they generally do not pose a threat to health. But even if there is only a small piece left after resection, it may reproduce and expand again. Such recurring benign tumors can usually be surgically removed again if necessary. But if the location of a benign brain tumor is improper, it can also be life-threatening. As for primary malignant brain tumors, they rarely spread to other parts of the body, but invade normal brain tissues around them, posing a threat to health.
The types of brain tumors can be divided into two major categories, benign and malignant tumors. Compared with other cancers, the difference between benign and malignant brain tumors cannot be clearly distinguished.
Benign tumor
Most are slow-growing cells.
Very little spread.
Common types are Meningioma, neuroma (Schwannoma), Pituitary Adenoma, Craniopharyngioma.
Malignant tumor
Different types of malignant tumors may grow in different ways and respond to treatment.
Some cancer cells are confined to a specific location, while others may extend to the tissue surrounding the tumor.
It is usually named after the original cell.
The common types are Astrocytoma, Oligodendroglioma, Ependymoblastoma, and Glioblastoma Multiform (GBM).
Causes and stages of brain tumors
The medical community still does not know the cause of brain tumors. Only a few cases believe that it is related to congenital, genetic or chemical factors, and therefore it is difficult to prevent. Some experts have pointed out that radiation from mobile phones may cause brain tumors, but this statement needs further research before it can be concluded.
Factors that may increase brain tumors:
In terms of age, brain tumors can occur at any age, but people over 40 have a higher risk; the onset of brain cancer in children is generally between 3 and 12 years old.
In terms of gender, men are more likely to get the disease.
Someone in the family had glioma, and the prevalence was high.
People who are exposed to chemicals or radiation in the work environment for a long time have a higher prevalence.
However, there are also individual patients who do not have any of the above crisis factors and still suffer from brain tumors. The stages of brain tumors are divided into one to four grades, and the determination of the grade depends on the speed of tumor growth and the ability to invade nearby tissues.
The growth of primary and secondary (mild) tumors is very slow.
The third grade (intermediate) tumors grow at a moderate rate.
The fourth grade (heavy grade) tumors grow at a rapid rate.
Common symptoms and diagnosis of brain tumors
Patients with brain tumors generally have symptoms such as headache, dizziness, vomiting, blurred vision, weakness or numbness of hands and feet, depending on where the tumor grows, symptoms also include epilepsy, endocrine disorders, and even changes in temperament and behavior.
The diagnosis and treatment of brain tumors decades ago were extremely difficult, but with the advancement of imaging scanning and surgical technology, many patients can be diagnosed at an early stage, which greatly increases the cure rate of brain tumors. Today’s brain scanning technology is quite developed. Computer scan (CT Scan) and magnetic resonance (MRI) are the most commonly used diagnostic instruments. Magnetic resonance does not involve the risk of radiation. It only requires the patient to lie down on an instrument with a strong magnetic field for scanning, and the patient will not feel pain during the process. MRI images can be taken from multiple different angles and through different “shooting" methods to obtain multiple imaging parameters of the tumor, so that the neurosurgeon can formulate the most suitable treatment plan for the patient.
Brain tumors are not incurable
The main methods of treating brain tumors can be through surgery, radiosurgery or chemotherapy. The doctor will formulate a treatment plan according to the patient’s individual situation. If the patient’s condition is mild, the chance of cure is higher, and if the risk of surgery is lower, the doctor will completely eliminate the brain tumor for the patient with the goal of radical cure. Some patients need to receive adjuvant drugs or radiotherapy for a period of time after surgery to reduce the chance of recurrence.
Today’s brain surgery techniques have allowed neurosurgeons to perform operations in a safe, even minimally invasive environment. Under normal circumstances, patients usually do not need to shave their hair to undergo surgery, and the postoperative recovery time is greatly shortened. In addition, certain types of tumors, such as auditory neuroma, can be treated with non-surgical methods such as radiosurgery (Gamma knife, Cyberknife), which are reliable and have few side effects. Chemotherapy uses anti-cancer (Cytotoxic) drugs to kill cancer cells, sometimes alone or in combination with radiation therapy.
The brain is a very important organ of the body. The complications of brain tumors may bring serious or permanent effects to patients, causing them to have physical defects, unconsciousness, and even death. Because the tumor itself or during treatment may damage different parts of the brain, resulting in patients with varying degrees of neurological dysfunction, affecting hearing, vision, or limb activities, the patient may need to receive physical therapy, speech therapy, and occupational therapy, etc, to help restore a certain level of functionality.
Brain tumors are not incurable. With the continuous emergence of new therapies, as long as everyone finds out and treats them early, the chance of recovery is very high.
