Symptoms and Treatment of Brain Tumors

Brain tumor is a condition in which cells grow abnormally in the brain.rnSymptoms of brain tumors-rnThe symptoms of brain tumor depend upon the size, location and growth of the tumor. Common signs and symptoms may include: • New onset or change in pattern of headachesrn• Headaches that gradually become more frequent and more severern• Unexplained nausea or vomitingrn• Vision problems, such as blurred vision, double vision or loss of peripheral visionrn• Gradual loss of sensation or movement in an arm or a legrn• Difficulty with balancern• Speech difficultiesrn• Confusion in everyday mattersrn• Personality or behavior changesrn• Seizures, especially in someone who doesn't have a history of seizuresrn• Hearing problems Causes of brain tumor-rnBrain tumor that begins in the brainrnPrimary brain tumor starts in the brain itself or in tissues close to it such as in the covering membranes of the brain, cranial nerves, pituitary gland or pineal gland. It begins when normal cells acquire mutations in their DNA. These mutations allow cells to grow and divide at increased rates and to continue living when healthy cells would die. The result is a mass of abnormal cells which forms a tumor.rnPrimary brain tumors are less common than secondary tumors. In secondary brain tumor, cancer begins at some other part of the body and spreads to the brain. There are different types of brain tumor. Each gets its name from the type of cells involved. rnThese may include: • Acoustic neuroma • Astrocytomarn• Ependymomarn• Ependymoblastomarn• Germ cell tumorrn• Medulloblastomarn• Meningiomarn• Neuroblastomarn• Oligodendrogliomarn• Pineoblastoma Cancer that begins in other parts and spreads to the brainrnSecondary brain tumors are a result from cancer that starts elsewhere in the body and then spreads to the brain. It most often occurs in people who have a medical history of cancers. In rare cases, a metastatic brain tumor may be the first sign of cancer. These are more common. Theo most common type of cancer that spreads up to the brain may include: • Breast cancerrn• Colon cancerrn• Kidney cancerrn• Lung cancerrn• Melanoma Treatment of brain tumor-rnTreatment options may depend on the type, size, location, stage of the tumor, overall health of the patient and his preferences. The doctor may suggest the best suitable treatment for the particular situation. Treatment options may include: • Surgeryrn• Radiation therapyrn• Radio surgeryrn• Chemotherapyrn• Targeted drug therapy Rehabilitation after treatmentrnBrain tumor develops in the parts of the brain that controls the motor skills, speech, vision and thinking abilities. Rehabilitation may be necessary part of the recovery treatment. The doctor may recommend services that may include:rno Physical therapy- It can help in regaining lost motor skills or muscle strength.rno Occupational therapy-This can help the patient to get back to normal daily activities, including work, after a brain tumor or other illness.rno Speech therapy with specialists in speech difficulties can help if the patient has difficulty in speaking.rno Tutoring for school-age children can help kids cope with changes in their memory and thinking after a brain tumor.