A brain tumor is a neurological disease that is quite common in the community and its incidence is increasing. Brain tumors have some specific symptoms and complaints. These include vomiting, impaired speech and vision, and severe headaches. After listening to the patient's history, neurological examination and imaging methods are used to diagnose the patient and then the treatment process can begin. People with brain tumor symptoms should consult a neurology department or neurosurgeon. A multidisciplinary approach with a coordinated team should be taken into consideration to achieve successful results in brain tumor treatment.
What is a brain tumor?
To answer the question of what is a brain tumor, it is the presence of a tissue in an area that should not be in the human body or the uncontrolled growth of any tissue. However, it is also possible for sebaceous glands and moles to form tumors. Not all brain tumors are life-threatening. Some benign brain tumors are located in a chamber within the skull, which makes the tumor life-threatening. It is therefore possible to say that brain tissue can cause exceptional conditions. Although not all brain tumors carry a risk of death, it is important to keep them under control and to use the correct intervention methods during the treatment of the disease.
What Causes a Brain Tumor?
A brain tumor is a condition that results in the proliferation of cells different from the normal course of brain cells when brain cells encounter an abnormal situation, or an abnormality in the life cycle of cells, resulting in an increase in cells followed by the growth of tissues. Since not every tumor can be called cancer, this disease that occurs in the brain is also called a brain tumor.
What are the Types of Brain Tumors?
Brain tumors are divided into primary and secondary. Primary brain tumors, that is, the brain's own cells, are also divided into two different types as benign and bi-malignant. Secondary brain tumors are characterized by cancerous cells that form in a different part of the body and spread to the brain. To explain benign and malignant brain tumors in detail:
Benign Brain Tumor
Benign brain tumors are cells that can be easily detached from brain tissue with a slow growth rate. These tumors are not caused by brain cells. For this reason, all or almost all benign tumors can be removed surgically. After surgery, the removed tumor rarely regenerates and rarely spreads to other parts of the body. The results of surgery are usually positive. Even if it is not a cancerous cell, if a benign brain tumor grows, it can put pressure on certain parts of the brain and this can cause serious problems. This tumor can also develop into a cancerous tumor over time.
Malignant Brain Tumor
Malignant or cancerous brain tumors grow faster than benign tumors and damage brain tissue due to pressure. Therefore, surgical intervention is difficult. The cancerous tissue consists of tissues that perform the functions of the brain and surgically removed tissues cause loss of function. After surgical removal of malignant brain tumors, the tumor may grow again.
What are the Symptoms of Brain Tumor?
A brain tumor is a benign or malignant tumor that occurs in the brain tissues due to pressure on certain parts of the brain. Brain tumor symptoms may vary depending on the type of tumor, the area where the tumor occurs and the person. Symptoms of brain tumor can be listed as follows:
- Severe headache
- Nausea and vomiting
- Weakness, numbness in the right or left body
- Gait disturbance
- Loss of vision
- Hearing loss
- Memory disorders
- Speech difficulties
- Imbalance
- Slowing of movements and facial expressions
- Epileptic seizures
- Personality disorders
In a pituitary gland tumor:
- Menstrual irregularity
- Growth on the hand or foot
- Hormonal disorders such as hyperthyroidism can be seen.
How is Brain Tumor Diagnosed?
Imaging methods are used to diagnose brain tumors. Brain tomography and MR imaging are very effective methods. Especially in some tumors, brain tomography is functional to obtain important findings. In the diagnostic process, it is possible to obtain information about the structure of the brain, the location of the tumor, the type of tumor, and the extent to which the brain and nerves are affected by the tumor. The presence of a brain tumor is then clearly understood through pathological laboratory examination. Detailed examination of the tumor with imaging methods and making the correct diagnosis are important for the planning and programming of the treatment.
What is Brain Tumor Treatment?
To answer the question of what is brain tumor treatment, three different methods can be used in the treatment process
- Surgery
- Chemotherapy (drug treatment)
- Radiation therapy
Among the above methods, surgery is usually used. This is because the tumor pressing on the brain tissue can cause serious effects on the person over time and the tissue must be removed.
Surgical Treatment: Surgical intervention is the most preferred and most accurate treatment method among the treatment methods to be used in brain tumor treatment; if the tumor is benign or its removal does not pose a danger. Surgical removal of the tumor offers the opportunity for pathological examination to examine and determine the type of tumor. Surgical treatment has come a long way in recent years. Especially compared to the past, complications related to surgical intervention have decreased significantly.
Chemotherapy (drug treatment): Chemotherapy is usually used for malignant tumors for which surgical intervention can be dangerous. Chemotherapy helps prolong the patient's life and sometimes leads to a complete cure. Occasionally, drug treatment is also used for benign tumors such as pituitary gland tumors. It is possible to say that significant developments have been achieved in drug treatment in recent years.
Radiation (radiation therapy): Radiation, i.e. radiation therapy, is a frequently used method in brain tumor treatment. Especially if the tumor is malignant and surgery is life-threatening, radiation therapy is another option. In addition, radiosurgery, Gamma Knife, CyberKnife radiosurgery are other treatment methods. The most important factor to be considered in brain tumor treatment is the individualized planning of the treatment. Age, location, medical history, general condition, type of tumor and other factors should be taken into consideration and treatment should be started. Radiotherapy devices minimize the side effects that may occur during surgery and play a very effective role in treatment.
Apart from these methods, other methods used in brain tumors are as follows:
- Brain Biopsy: This method is preferred if the tumor cannot be removed surgically. The aim is to first determine the type of tumor to determine how the treatment will take shape. In this method, the 3D coordinates of the tumor are calculated by drilling a small hole near the tumor.
- Microsurgery: The aim of microsurgery is to remove the entire tumor. In this method, the effect of the tumor is minimized by reducing intracranial pressure. However, if the brain tumor is located in an area that affects important functions such as speaking and seeing, microsurgery prevents these functions from being affected during surgery. Accordingly, it is important that advanced technological devices and methods are used in the hospital where the treatment is performed.
Other treatment methods that can be applied to protect brain tissue, completely remove the brain tumor and prevent permanent disabilities can be listed as follows:
- Neuronavigation
- Neuromonitoring
- Intraoperative Ultrasonography
- Endoscopy
- Gliolan Dyeing Technique
- Awake craniotomy
- Intraoperative CT