Brain Tumor - Signs and Symptoms
Brain tumours can affect both adults and children. Although not all brain tumours are cancerous, they can significantly diminish a person’s brain function. This is because they grow large enough to pressurise the surrounding tissues, and thus, modern medical teams have come up with several treatments.
In this article, you will learn about brain tumor symptoms, its causes and various types.
What is a Tumor?
A tumor is an abnormal growth of cells. Cells are the basic building blocks of the body, forming tissues and organs. The body creates new cells continuously to help us grow, repair injured tissues, and replace worn-out cells. A normal cell multiplies and dies in an orderly manner, so that every new cell replaces the previous one. In some cases, however, cells develop abnormally and grow. In case of solid cancers (lump of sick cells), such as breast cancer, a brain tumor (where cells grow abnormally), the abnormal cells form a mass or lump called a tumor. Tumors of the brain can be divided into two types: benign and malignant. These terms are also used for tumors in other body parts besides the brain.
Benign Tumors
Roughly 80% of the primary brain tumors are benign (non-cancerous) in nature. The growth of benign brain tumors is usually slow and they are unlikely to spread. They are also called low-grade tumors or non-malignant tumors. Benign tumors grow and affect the functioning of the brain. An immediate treatment may be needed for this condition because it might be life-threatening. Sometimes, a benign tumor can change over time and become severe.
Malignant Tumors
Malignant brain tumors can multiply. As they may spread within the brain and spinal cord, or even recur after treatment, they are considered life-threatening. A malignant brain tumor may also be called brain cancer. Unlike malignant tumors in other parts of the body, malignant brain tumors usually do not spread outside the brain and spinal cord.
Primary Cancer
Cancer of the brain that first develops in the brain is known as primary brain cancer. The disease may spread to other parts of the nervous system, but seldom spreads to the body.
Secondary Cancer
In some cases, cancer can start in another part of the body and spread into the brain through the bloodstream. This particular condition is called Secondary cancer or called metastasis. Melanoma, lung, breast, kidney, and bowel cancers are the most likely to spread to the brain. But the metastasis will retain its original cancer’s name. Eg. A bowel cancer that has spread to the brain is still called bowel cancer even when the person has symptoms because cancer is in the brain.
How common is Brain Tumor?
Benign brain and spinal cord tumors are more common than malignant tumors. Over 28,000 cases of brain tumors are reported in India every year, and more than 24,000 people die from brain tumors every year, according to the International Association of Cancer Registries (IARC).
Glioma tumors are the most common category of brain tumors Gliomas are tumors that start in the glial (neuroglia) cells of the brain.
Brain Tumor Locations
Brain tumours can appear on any part of the human brain. However, different types of tumours form in specific regions of the brain. Here’s a quick breakdown:
●Meningiomas are detected on the meninges. This is a protective lining of our brain.
●Pituitary gland cells can be affected by pituitary tumours.
●Medulloblastoma tumours can arise on the brainstem or cerebellum.
●Skull base tumours appear on a patient’s underside of the brain, also called the skull base.
Additional brain tumour types are medically classified based on the types of cells they affect. For example, gliomas are made of glial cells.
Causes
Brain and spinal cord tumors are usually caused by factors that remain unknown or exact, but some factors are known to increase the risk :
Family history: Although brain tumors rarely run-in families, a genetic defect, usually passed down from either mother or father, can put a person at an increased risk. For example, some people have a genetic condition called neurofibromatosis, which can lead to brain and spinal cord tumors.
Radiation therapy: People who have had radiation therapy to the head, particularly to treat childhood leukemia, may have a slightly higher risk of developing a brain tumor.
Mobile phones and microwave ovens: Many people are concerned that electromagnetic radiation from mobile phones or microwave ovens may cause a brain tumor. Till date, there is no evidence that using a mobile phone causes cancer. Researchers continue to study the long-term effects of mobile phone usage. If you're worried about the potential harm from mobile phones, limiting your mobile phone usage time, or sending texts rather than calling. Microwave ovens have been in widespread use since the 2000s. There is no evidence that ovens release electromagnetic radiation at levels harmful to people.
What are the Symptoms of brain tumor?
Symptoms depend on where the tumor is in the brain and how slowly or quickly the tumor is growing. In some cases, it can occur suddenly, while in others, it can take time to develop.
General Symptoms:
Brain tumors can increase pressure inside the skull (known as intracranial pressure). Tumors can cause pressure to build up because they take up too much space in the brain or block cerebrospinal fluid flow. The increased pressure can cause symptoms such as:
- Headaches – especially worse after waking up
- Nausea and vomiting – often worse in the morning or aftermovements (e.g. sitting, standing)
- Confusion and irritability
- Blurred or double vision
- Seizures (fits) – Your hands, arms, or legs may jerk or twitch, or your whole body may jerk or twitch
- Loss of consciousness
- Weakness in parts of the body
- Drowsiness – a later symptom. Symptoms caused by the position of the tumor – Other symptoms depend on where the tumor are located in the brain or spinal cord.
Advanced Symptoms:
The brain tumour symptoms become pronounced as time advances. Severe symptoms can slowly develop when the tumour results in paraneoplastic syndrome. This is a typical scenario that happens when the tumour releases proteins or hormones in the bloodstream.
A paraneoplastic syndrome is, however, not detected among the several early symptoms of a brain tumour. However, this can happen when an individual’s immune system generates antibodies to resist the effects of a brain tumour. Indirectly, this attempt can damage the other adjacent healthy tissues.
Depending on the affected organs and tissues, paraneoplastic syndrome can impact a person’s:
●Endocrine Glands: This may lead to high blood pressure (hypertension), abnormal weight gain and weakness.
●Skin: The affected person can experience sudden redness on their body, itching or benign skin lesions.
Brain Tumor in Children
Present studies reveal that astrocytoma is the most common form of brain tumour among children and adolescents in India. Doctors recommend surgery as the go-to solution for treatment.
Moreover, 16% of patients suffering from astrocytoma undergo chemotherapy, while advanced cases require radiation therapy. The good part is that almost 68% of patients have shown notable improvements after timely treatment.
Diagnosis of Brain Tumor
When your healthcare provider suspects brain tumour symptoms, they will recommend a few procedures or tests to be sure. These can comprise of:
A Neurological Exam
This examination evaluates the functioning of different segments of the human brain. Under this test, the doctors check your vision, hearing capabilities, strength, coordination and reflexes.
When the subject exhibits difficulties in more than one parameter, it gives a hint to the doctors. However, it is just a preliminary test and does not provide solid evidence on whether a person has developed a brain tumour.
Head CT Scan
In this test, an X-ray machine is used to take head pictures. This technology is widely implemented, and the results are generated promptly. Often, doctors prescribe a CT scan as the very first imaging test after someone visits them for headaches or other similar symptoms.
When someone’s CT scan reveals a brain tumour, the doctor will recommend a brain MRI.
Brain MRI
Broadly said as Magnetic Resonance Imaging, a brain MRI uses powerful magnets to generate images of the inside of a person’s body. Doctors give an MRI test as it produces more vivid images of the brain than any other imaging test.
Facts about Brain Tumor
- Headaches, seizures, nausea, personality changes, vomiting, drowsiness, vision problems, etc. are some brain tumor symptoms.
- The exact reason for most brain tumours is unknown. However, causes of brain tumors include genetic conditions (like tuberous sclerosis, neurofibromatosis type II, Von Hippel-Lindau syndrome), radiation exposure, age, immune system disorders, and cancers that spread from other parts of the body.
- The brain tumor treatments include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and clinical trials.
- Signs of brain tumor vary based on the tumor's location, size, and how fast it's growing.
- Headaches are one of the early brain tumor symptoms. Woman brain tumor symptoms include headaches, nausea and vomiting, personality changes, mood changes, fatigue, balance problems, vision problems, weakness or paralysis, seizures, and memory problems.
- Brain tumor types can be either benign or malignant.
- Pain could differ in different brain tumor pain areas.
Can You Have a Brain Tumor With No Symptoms?
Patients who have developed the illness may not always experience the associated symptoms of a brain tumour. As a matter of fact, meningioma, the most commonly occurring brain tumour, continues to grow slowly and goes unnoticed. So, you have to understand that the symptoms may not be prominent enough to disrupt a person's lifestyle unless the brain tumour is large enough.
How to prevent Brain Tumor?
There is no known way for preventing brain tumours, but a few lifestyle changes might lower the risk of developing them :
- Avoid environmental hazards like exposure to pesticides, insecticides, and carcinogenic chemicals.
- Limiting unnecessary exposure to radiation.
- Eating a balanced diet and avoiding processed foods and sugars.
- Exercise regularly to enhance blood flow to the brain.
- Limiting alcohol consumption.
- Avoiding tobacco products.
FAQs
What is brain tumor?
The brain tumor is formed when abnormal cells grow together and form a lump or mass. Neurons and glial cells make up the brain's main types of cells. Whether benign or malignant, tumors can be severe and may require urgent treatment.
How many types of tumors are there?
There are different types of brain tumors based on different types of brain tissues and cells. Primary tumors of the brain are classified into more than 40 types (also called central nervous system or CNS tumors). They can begin anywhere in the brain or spinal cord. Based on the type of cell they start in and how they are likely to behave, tumors are classified (based on their genetic make-up).
What are some brain tumor early symptoms?
Frequent headaches, nausea, vomiting, changes in vision, smell or hearing are some common early brain tumor symptoms. While experiencing a headache from brain tumors, if the person bends over, bears down, or lies down, then their discomfort or pain can increase further.
How to detect brain tumor at home?
There is no option to diagnose a brain tumor at home, but you could note down a few symptoms that might indicate a brain tumors.
How brain tumor occurs?
Brain tumours happen when cells near or in the brain modify their DNA and then grow and divide abnormally, interfering with normal brain function.
