With research showing an increase in brain tumors over the years, being familiar with the signs and symptoms of a brain tumor is smart in helping you determine if there’s a need for concern.
Although brain tumors may seem to be more common with time, most of them are benign or noncancerous. Still, what are brain tumors and how are they caused?
What is a Brain Tumor?
A brain tumor is a growth or mass of abnormal cells in the brain. A brain tumor can be cancerous (malignant) or noncancerous (benign).
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Brain Tumor Locations
Brain tumors can begin in the brain, known as primary brain tumors, but they can also begin in other locations of the body and then spread to the brain, then known as secondary or metastatic brain tumors.
For adults, primary brain tumors are much less common than secondary brain tumors.
Types of Brain Tumors
There are many types of primary brain tumors, including the following:
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- Acoustic neuromas (schwannomas) – Benign tumors that develop on the nerves that control balance and hearing.
- Craniopharyngiomas – Rare tumors that can affect the pituitary gland and other structures near the brain as it grows.
- Germ cell tumors – May develop in childhood where the ovaries or testicles will form (but may affect other parts of the body).
- Gliomas – Begin in the brain or spinal cord.
- Medulloblastomas – Cancerous and most common in children.
- Meningiomas – Mostly noncancerous and arises from the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord.
- Pituitary adenomas – Develop in the pituitary gland at the base of the brain affecting the pituitary hormones.
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What are the Causes of a Brain Tumor?
The causes of primary brain tumors begin with the mutations or changes of normal cells in their DNA, which has the instructions to tell a cell what to do.
The mutations tell the cells to grow and rapidly divide to continue living when healthy cells typically die.
As a result, a tumor is formed by the mass of abnormal cells.
Brain Tumor Symptoms & Signs
In the early stages of a brain tumor, there may not be any noticeable symptoms to help in detecting it.
Once the brain tumor gets to a large enough size to cause pressure or pain, that’s when a new onset of headaches may occur. If you already have headaches, there may be a change in the pattern or severity of them.
A brain tumor can also cause the following symptoms and signs:
- Balance difficulty
- Behavior changes
- Confusion
- Decision-making difficulty
- Gradual loss of movement or sensation in arm or leg
- Hearing issues
- Inability to follow commands
- Seizures (particularly in those without a history of them)
- Speech difficulty
- Tiredness
- Unexplained vomiting or nausea
- Vision problems (blurred, double, or loss of peripheral vision)
Brain Tumor Risk Factors
Doctors have identified factors that may increase your risk of a brain tumor.
A family history of brain tumors can increase your chances of developing them, as well as exposure to radiation, particularly ionizing radiation such as the kinds that treat cancer and are caused by atomic bombs.
When to Talk to a Doctor
If you have a family history of brain tumors or feel that you are showing the signs or symptoms of one, do not hesitate to seek out medical attention.
Your doctor may recommend imaging tests or a neurological exam to help diagnose brain tumors. A biopsy - when the abnormal tissue is collected and tested - may also offer clues about the brain tumor. It may also be used as part of the operation for removal.
A brain tumor can be cured if caught early. The size and location of the brain tumor also determine the outlook of curing it.
Options for treating a brain tumor include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, radiosurgery, surgery, or target drug therapy.
Unfortunately, a brain tumor may often return and there may be cases where the brain tumor is impossible to remove.
