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The body normally forms new cells only when they are needed to replace old
or damaged ones. If something happens to disturb this controlled process,
abnormal or excessive cells are produced. When this occurs a tumor is developed.
This is known as cancer. When a tumor is developed on the brain, it is called a
brain tumor or brain cancer. Brain tumors can be benign or malignant (benign
being not cancerous and malignant being cancerous). Both types can be deadly
when dealing with the brain. Benign brain tumors consist of very slow growing
cells. They have distinct borders and rarely spread to other locations. When
viewed under a microscope, the cells of a benign tumor have an almost normal
appearance. Even though these tumors sound harmless they can be life-threatening
when located in such a vital area. Since the skull is unable to expand when the
tumor grows it puts’ pressure on the brain.
This results in damaged brain
tissues and if left untreated a person could die. A malignant tumor is a tumor
that could potentially invade and destroy important tissues and cells. They can
also spread to other parts of the body (metastasize). Brain tumors can initially
start in the brain. They can also spread to other parts of the body from the
brain but this rarely happens. Some tumors may be worse than others. Tumor
staging is used to determine the extent of cancer. The stage indicates if the
cancer has spread and how far. The stages are listed below: T = Primary tumor
size/extent T0: Primary tumor not present T1, T2, T3, T4 The higher the number,
the larger the size/extent of the tumor. N = Regional lymph node involvement N0:
No lymph node involvement N1, N2, N3 The higher the number, the more lymph node
involvement. M = Distant metastasis M0: no metastasis M1: Metastasis present The
cause of brain cancer is unknown.
It is likely they are caused by many factors.
Some of these factors are genetic damage, inheritance, electromagnetic fields,
weak immune system, viruses, injury, diet, chemicals, hormones, environmental
factors, and occupational factors. The most common and often first symptoms of
brain tumors are headaches and seizures. Later symptoms include nausea,
vomiting, fever, change in pulse, and trouble breathing. Mental changes may also
occur such as difficulty in communication and speech. In general symptoms
greatly depend on the location of the tumor. For example if the tumor is on the
occipital lobe, you would have problems with your vision. Treatment of a tumor
depends on its location and type, but surgical removal of the tumor if the
primary treatment for cancer. Some tumors can be removed without harm to any
part of the brain while others are in areas that make surgical removal
impossible.
Most tumors are treated with a combination of chemotherapy,
radiation therapy, and surgery. A new procedure is being tried called gamma
knife, which is a type of radio surgery. It uses precise radiation to isolate
and kill the tumor. One positive aspect of this procedure is that it limits the
amount of radiation that the entire brain receives so less normal brain cells
are destroyed. Some Statistics ✓ Within the next year, over 100,000 people in
the U.S. will be diagnosed with brain cancer.
Brain tumors are the second
leading cause of death in the age group 15-34. ✓ Brain tumors are the second
fastest growing cause of cancer death among those over age 65. ✓ Approximately
44 percent of all primary brain tumors are benign. ✓ Unlike most benign tumors
when located on the brain they can cause death. ✓ Because of their location
brain, tumors are difficult to treat. ✓ Brain cancer research is underfunded. ✓
The cause of brain cancer is still unknown. ✓ The cure rate for brain cancer is
lower than that of most other types of cancer.
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