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Image via WikipediaSecondary brain tumors, which are more widespread, come from other parts of the body (eg, lung or breast cancer), which spread the cancer cells with the subsequent formation of new tumors in the brain. This difference is important, because the secondary brain tumor may affect treatment methods used for primary cancer.
In general, the incidence of primary brain tumors is low.
There are several types of primary tumors of the brain. Among adults, the most common (50%) were astrocytomas, also known as gliomas. They differ in degree of symptoms and is usually divided into low-grade astrocytoma, growing slowly; anaplastic astrocytoma sub-degree and high degree of astrocytoma or glioblastoma multiforme, growing rapidly.
The next most common type of brain tumors are meningiomas, which affect the surrounding brain membrane (meninges). These tumors are almost always benign (ie, rarely show signs of malignant change). However, benign tumors can cause serious problems, since, increasing in size, putting pressure on vital structures of the brain. Other tumors of adults who also are almost always benign in nature, are pituitary adenoma (affecting the pituitary gland) and nevrilemmomy (which affect perinevry).
Astrocytomas are the most common primary brain tumors in children, meeting approximately 45% of all such tumors. About 20% of brain tumors account for medulloblastom, most often in the developing cerebellum, even in 10-20% of cases are reported craniopharyngioma, which are generally benign, but cause a variety of symptoms resulting from pressure on other parts of the brain.
Symptoms of primary and secondary brain tumors are the same. Often the first symptom is severe and constant headache. It can increase with coughing, sneezing, or slopes, may lead to disrupted patterns of sleep and did not subside until the morning. In many cases it is accompanied by nausea and vomiting. Frequent and severe headaches should be sufficient reason for recourse to a doctor, the likelihood that they are caused by tumor, is extremely low, but still useful in such cases do not leave them unattended.
Other symptoms of brain tumors include confusion and sometimes personality changes. Depending on where lesions can be observed disorder or impairment, speech or balance, as well as weakness on one side of the body.
Diagnosis
If you suspect a brain tumor patient sent to a specialist, a neurologist. Our doctor first examines the nervous system.
If the doctor zapodazrivaet tumor, the next step is brain scans or computed tomography, or magnetic resonance imaging. These methods allow us to obtain a picture of the brain that helps the doctor detect a tumor and any swelling (edema) around it.
If the scanning image is visible tumor while aware of the presence of primary cancer lesions in other parts of the organism, tumor biopsy is not needed. However, if the primary lesion is not detected, it is necessary to take samples of material of the tumor itself and examine them under a microscope for the production of the final diagnosis.
Biopsy of brain tumor provides extensive surgery under general anesthesia. Depending on the tumor and the degree of complexity of the operation can attempt to remove during this diagnostic procedure, the entire tumor or a large part of it. If
tumor are difficult for complete removal, take a sample for the study.
Treatment
Steroids
Because brain tumor causes swelling of the surrounding tissue, which in itself is a cause of many symptoms, to reduce the swelling immediately after the diagnosis is very often used steroids. This fast acting drugs, and most patients soon begins feeling better, and many symptoms, including weakness in the limbs, weakened or even disappear. However, these funds has no effect on the tumor itself.
Surgery
If the tumor can be surgically removed, the treatment of primary brain tumors, surgery is the method of choice. Sometimes resorting to surgical intervention in the secondary tumors, when the brain has a single focus of lesion and metastasize throughout the body absent. Usually, however, surgery for the treatment of secondary tumors did not carry.
Tumor or the maximum possible portion excised, and then impose a metal or plastic plate, which replaces part of the bone, and top sewn skin flap.
Depending on the affected part of the brain and tissues, through which the surgeon must penetrate to reach the tumor, after surgery inevitably appear weakness or impairment of cerebral function. Before the surgery, the surgeon must inform the patient about its possible consequences.
Radiotherapy
After the surgery is often resorted to radiotherapy to effect any malignant tissue, which could not be surgically removed, or any tiny clusters of cancer cells that may remain after surgery.
When secondary tumors of the brain's entire head is usually irradiated with lower dose, so a very careful planning procedures are generally not required. Irradiation of the head leads to hair loss for several weeks. After treatment, they usually grow. Other side effects are rare.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy drugs used to treat certain primary brain tumors, especially astrocytic intermediate and high and medulloblastom. The purpose of medical treatment is to reduce the swelling and controlling its growth, rather than cure. Chemotherapy is sometimes combined with radiotherapy, as it seems, improves the results of the latter. Together with chemotherapeutics may be imposed as hormonal drugs such as tamoxifen, which probably increases the effectiveness of drug treatment.
Treatment is more effective in applying an integrated approach to treatment.
Forecast
A certain percentage of low-grade astrocytomas can be cured through a combination of surgery with radiotherapy. However, many patients with brain tumors treatment is carried out in order to ease symptoms and prolong life through the maximum long-term control of tumor process.
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