A brain tumor is the growth of abnormal cells that may occur in the replication during the self-renewal of the cells in the brain and the formation of a mass. A brain tumor, which can occur in any age group, from newborn babies to elderly individuals, causes pressure inside the skull. This pressure makes the brain unable to function properly and the affected person may experience a variety of symptoms. In particular, a severe and prolonged headache, which occurs in about 60% of affected people, is one of the most important symptoms.
Brain tumors grow inside the skull and put pressure on the brain. They give symptoms according to the area they are located in and the area of the brain they are pressing on. However, as with all cases that occupy space in the skull, they first show symptoms due to increased intracranial pressure. The tumor continues to grow irregularly and begins to put pressure on the brain within the skull, which has no opportunity to expand and grow. If the tumor is malignant, it can also cause other diseases in the body. The tumor can be removed by surgery or, if benign, by radiation.
Brain tumors are usually classified as primary or secondary, and these are (usually) those that start anywhere in the body and metastasize to the brain and those that form in the brain. More common under the age of 9 and over the age of 55, brain cancers are more common in Caucasians and men.
What are the Symptoms of Brain Tumor?
A growing head is an important symptom. Symptoms show a different course than in adults, because in the first two years of life, the bones of the head have not yet fused. Therefore, when there is an event that increases the pressure inside the head, the intracranial volume may increase by forcing the skull bones apart. Therefore, symptoms may be delayed. Other symptoms of brain tumor can be listed as follows;
- Tense fontanelle and opening and not closing
- Restlessness, malaise, apathy and absent-mindedness in children who have not yet developed language skills
- Gait and balance problems
- Consciousness affections
- Various neurological dysfunctions
Early diagnosis and treatment of the disease is very important to determine the outcome.
Why and how does a brain tumor occur?
Two important answers can be given about how brain tumors form. The first is the development from the brain's own cells and the other is the spread of the tumor from another region to the brain. If the brain tumor develops from its own cells, it is divided into benign (benign, benign) and malignant (malignant, malignant). The prevalence of brain tumors in the general population is between 3-5 per 100,000 people. It is more common in men than in women and in Caucasians. Benign meningioma is more common in women. Brain tumors are seen in almost every age range. At the same time, brain tumors differ according to age. For example, malignant brain tumors are more common in children and over 60 years of age. Benign brain tumors are more common in the remaining age ranges.
Although the causes of brain tumors are not known exactly, family history of white race, male gender and radiation exposure are considered important risk factors. In addition, cell phone use is also thought to affect the risk of brain tumors, although this has not yet been proven.
What are the Types of Brain Tumors?
Brain tumors are positioned according to where they occur. In 2016, the World Health Organization (WHO) grouped brain tumors into 7 main categories. Under these main categories, there are more than 30 tumor types with different characteristics. One of the most important reasons for this distinction is that all brain tumors are associated with the nervous system; some tumors may arise from other abnormal cells, blood vessels, meninges or tumors in other parts of the body other than the brain. Brain tumors are basically divided into primary and secondary tumors. Tumors that occur and spread in brain tissue anywhere in the brain are called primary tumors. They are among the most common types of primary tumors that can be benign or malignant. Cancer cells that occur in organs such as the stomach, lungs and intestines can reach the brain through blood vessels. New cancerous cells that form in the brain due to these cells are called secondary tumors. These cells are also called metastases.
Benign tumors: They have a slow growth rate. They can also be easily separated from brain tissue and all or almost all of them can be removed. Therefore, postoperative results are very good. Sometimes, if not all benign tumors can be removed, regional radiation therapy can be applied.
Malignant tumors: Malignant tumors that grow and spread rapidly are the main causes of brain cancer. Malignant tumors with unclear borders also damage the surrounding brain tissue and cause the brain to fail to function. It is not a preferred method to completely remove these tumors, which are formed by the cells responsible for performing brain functions, with surgical operations. Removing all of these cells means that brain activities are also lost. Malignant tumors can grow again after surgery. Glial tumors and metastatic brain cells are commonly seen among malignant tumors. Glial tumors, which are one of the most common brain tumors and cause cancer, multiply uncontrollably. As a result of this rapid growth, cancerous cells also affect the healthy cells around them. In this process, which is divided into grade I, grade II, grade III and grade IV, various treatment methods are applied to patients.
How are brain tumors treated?
The treatment of brain tumors is surgical. All tumors, whether benign or malignant, are treated surgically. However, in some cases surgery may not be possible. If the tumor is located in some very sensitive vital areas of the brain, the tumor may be left in place because touching these areas is life-threatening. In this case, only radiation therapy and medication (chemotherapy) can be used.
Tumors that form in other parts of the body and then spread to the brain are called metastases. Especially lung cancer can spread to the brain and is a malignant tumor. Even if surgical intervention is performed, the results are not encouraging. In some cases, surgery may not even be performed if there are several focal spread. The patient receives chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
