Brain cancer: Symptoms, causes and treatment

Brain cancer is one such software. It is no different. Our symptoms and their love. Usually, hardware and software. 

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• 1. What is brain cancer?
• 2. Symptoms of brain cancer
• 3. When to see a doctor?
• 4. What causes brain cancer?
• 5. Diagnosed with brain cancer?
• 6. Brain cancer treatment

1. What is brain cancer?

Brain cancer occurs when a normal cell of the brain suddenly changes in an abnormal way and grows out of control of the body. There are many different types of brain cancer, some that grow very slowly and others that grow very quickly.

As brain cancer grows, it exerts a sedating effect on adjacent parts of the brain, causing compression. It is this compression that is responsible for the symptoms of a patient with brain cancer.

>>> You can better understand this disease through the article: " Common medicine: Brain cancer "

2. Symptoms of brain cancer

The symptoms below can still be caused by conditions other than brain cancer. However, to be sure you should see your doctor if you have any of these symptoms.

Tumor causes brain cancer

2.1. Antihypertensive

• Headache : 80-90% of people with brain cancer have a local or general headache. Because the tumor compresses the cranial nerves, the venous sinuses cause reflex constriction of cerebral blood vessels. The pain can be intense or vague with no known location. The patient has frequent pain, tends to increase day by day, taking pain relievers does not help.
• Nausea or vomiting: vomiting, vomiting unrelated to meals and no abdominal pain before or after vomiting.
• Decreased visual acuity due to papilledema: edema or papilledema occurs when increased intracranial pressure compresses the optic nerve bundles. Patients present with progressive blurred vision accompanied by headache and vomiting.

2.2. Epileptic:

Unilateral or bilateral seizures may occur in about 40% of brain cancers.

People with brain cancer often have irregular seizures

2.3. Other symptoms:

Depends on the location of the tumor.

• Frontal lobe tumor: Memory loss or attention deficit is a common symptom in frontal lobe brain tumor. Patients may lose their sense of smell and atrophy the optic nerve. Aphasia is also possible if the tumor is posterior to the frontal lobe
• Parietal lobe tumors: characterized by sensory disturbances and movement disorders. Reduced sensation, touch, not able to locate spatial position.
• Temporal lobe tumor: may present with olfactory hallucinations, auditory hallucinations, visual hallucinations, and speech disturbances. Unable to name objects correctly. If the tumor compresses the common oculomotor nerve, the patient may experience drooping eyelids and dilated pupils.
• Occipital lobe tumor: manifestation of decreased visual acuity. The syndrome of increased intracranial pressure often presents early because of compression on the cerebral aqueduct.
• Ventricular tumor: severe headache, severe pain. Early manifestations of increased intracranial pressure.
• Pituitary tumors: headache, vision loss, sleep disturbance. The patient eats a lot, drinks a lot, urinates a lot. May be obese, have enlarged toes and fingers, or have a giant body with hypogonadism
• Cerebellar pontine tumor: tinnitus, dizziness, hearing loss. The patient may experience numbness in the face and tongue due to the tumor pressing on the V cord.
• Cerebellar tumor: the patient has obvious symptoms of increased intracranial pressure, unsteady walking, and balance disorder.

3. When to see a doctor?

As soon as you have an unusually recurring headache, have a seizure, or have any of the above symptoms. The location and medical condition can be different in many people. Always discuss with your doctor to determine the best method of diagnosis, treatment and management for you.

4. What causes brain cancer?

The cause of brain cancer is still unknown. Patients can only know they have the disease through symptoms and an accurate diagnosis from a doctor.

4.1. Factors that may increase the risk of brain cancer

• Elderly age.
• Exposure to radioactive material.
• Someone in the family has had brain cancer.

4.2. Some syndromes associated with brain cancer:

• Turcot syndrome: formation of multiple benign polyps in the colon along with the primary brain tumor.
• Neurofibromatosis syndrome, also known as neurofibromatosis, is an inherited neurological disorder that affects the brain, spinal cord, and nerves.
• In addition, the patient is exposed to radioactive substances or has a history of radiation therapy to the head, face and neck, history of exposure to toxic chemicals (pesticides, petroleum, solvents, rubber chemicals, vinyl). …) also have a higher risk of brain cancer.
• Infections with EBV (Epstein-Barr virus) and CMV (Cytomegalovirus) viruses increase the risk of brain cancer.

5. Diagnosed with brain cancer?

The only way to confirm the diagnosis is to take a tissue sample from the tumor and study it under a microscope. This sampling can be done by biopsy or surgery.

5.1. Based on clinical symptoms and types of tests

• Computed tomography: determine the location, size and extent of surrounding invasion, cerebral edema, increased intracranial pressure.
• Magnetic resonance imaging: accurately assess the location and correlation of the tumor with neighboring tissues.
• Cerebral angiography: the proliferation and pushing of blood vessels in the brain is an indirect image of a brain tumor that takes up space.
• PET-CT scan: evaluate brain tumor and other systemic tumors concurrently.
• EEG: Record abnormal waves.

5.2. Use the term I-IV brain cancer to describe the extent of progression

• Grade I brain cancer: slow growing tumor. If it has not spread, it can be cured with surgery.
• Grade II brain cancer: The tumor is less likely to grow and spread. But it's more likely to come back after treatment.
• Grade III brain cancer: The tumor grows rapidly. Cancer cells divide rapidly but no cells die
• Grade IV brain cancer: The tumor divides rapidly and invades blood vessels and dead tissue around the brain. The tumor grows and spreads.

Brain cancer will improve well if diagnosed and treated early

6. Brain cancer treatment

Measures that can be applied to treat brain cancer include 3 main methods: surgery to remove the tumor, radiation therapy or chemotherapy.

• Surgical removal of the tumor: the goal is to remove the tumor. No damage to nearby healthy organs. However, depending on the location of the tumor is shallow or deep; u have clear limits or not; surgeon qualifications; equipments. Not all brain tumors can be completely removed. Tumors in the deep, medulla, brainstem, near major blood vessels are very difficult to remove.
• Radiation therapy is performed by radiation therapists. Usually used for tumors that cannot be removed, or cannot be completely operated on.
• Chemotherapy is common but not used for primary brain tumors. Antiepileptic drugs are often used before and after surgery. For swelling in the brain, your doctor may prescribe a medication containing Temodal (temozolomid) .

Pay attention to your body's warning signs. Consult your doctor or medical professional for the best answer. Because most brain cancers can be cured if detected early.

Doctor:  Le Hoang Ngoc Tram