Brain Tumors

1. Brain Tumors • Statistics and Facts: • According to the American Cancer Society, in 2012: • -about 22,910 malignant brain/spinal cord tumors will be diagnosed • -about 13,700 people will die from these tumors • The chance that a person will develop a malignant brain/spinal cord tumor in his/her life is less than 1%. • Brain tumors are the leading cause of solid tumor cancer death in children under the age of 20. • The long-term survival rate (over 5 years) for people with primary brain cancer varies from less than 10% to about 32% despite aggressive treatments. • Symptoms: • Not all types of brain tumors cause symptoms. • Symptoms are numerous and can be much like those caused from more common illnesses. • Symptoms can be caused by: • -tumors pressing against other structures of the brain and preventing them from functioning properly • -swelling in the brain • Symptoms include: • -headache, nausea, difficulty walking or speaking, clumsiness, seizures, abnormal vision, changes in concentration, memory, attention, or alertness • Symptoms are similar for men, women, and children. • Types of Brain Tumors: • There are more than 120 types of brain tumors. • Primary- begins in the brain • Metastatic- begins elsewhere in the body and spreads to the brain • Specific brain tumors include: • gliomas • astrocytomas • medulloblastomas • meningiomas • gangliogliomas • schwannomas • craniopharyngiomas • Diagnosis: • CT scan of the brain using injected die to highlight abnormal areas • MRI scan • Tumor biopsy • -Only way to know if the tumor is a cancer growth. • -The most common type is the craniotomy which is surgically opening the skull and removing the entire tumor if possible. • -Stereotactic biopsy is used with a CT scan or MRI to remove part of the tumor without opening the skull. • Risk Factors: • Family history (only in a few cases) • Presence of immune system disorders • Exposure to radiation and chemicals • Prevention: • Very difficult to prevent because there is no known cause. • Avoid radiation to the head • Avoid toxic chemicals • Avoid HIV infection • Treatment: • Treatment depends on the patient’s age and overall health as well as the tumor’s location, size, grade, and type. • The three most common treatments are: • -surgery • -chemotherapy • -radiation therapy • Many times more than one treatment is used. • Patients may receive medication to reduce swelling in the brain or prevent seizures. Resources: http://www.cancer.org http://www.emedicinehealth.com http://www.abta.org