Like any other organ in the body, the brain can be affected by tumors. There is no doubt that a cancerous tumor in an important organ such as the brain is a cause for panic and anxiety for the patient. Brain cancer is a serious and complex disease that can affect vital bodily functions, as well as the senses, movement, and balance. What is brain cancer, and what are its types and symptoms?
Brain cancer is the abnormal, uncontrolled growth of cells in the brain, forming a mass in the brain. These tumors may be benign, malignant, or somewhere in between. The symptoms of brain tumors vary from case to case and can range from mild to severe or life-threatening.
A mass of similar cells that does not follow the normal pattern of cell growth in this area. It's worth noting that a benign tumor cannot spread to other organs of the body, but its problem is that it can press on vital blood vessels or nerves within the brain. These tumors are non-cancerous, but at the same time, they remain a serious, life-threatening condition that can be treated surgically.
Malignant brain tumors are cancerous cells that grow or spread within surrounding tissue. They grow faster and have the potential to invade neighboring areas of the brain. Therefore, they often require additional treatments in addition to surgery, such as chemotherapy and radiation.
The most important complications of brain cancer include:
Diagnosis of brain cancer involves several different steps and tests, including the following:
During the examination, the doctor gathers information about the patient's medical history and symptoms, and checks for any signs or symptoms associated with brain cancer.
Imaging includes MRI and X-rays, as these images help create detailed images of the brain and potential tumors.
Computed tomography (CT) scans are used to obtain three-dimensional images of the brain and potential tumors using X-rays. X-ray
to obtain some tissue for laboratory examination
Based on these tests and a comprehensive evaluation by the specialist physician, a final diagnosis can be made, determining the type, size, and location of the tumor in the brain. It is worth noting that this diagnosis helps in developing an appropriate treatment plan for the patient, whether surgery to remove the tumor, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or a combination of different treatment options.
The treatment option for brain cancer patients depends on several factors, including the size, type, and location of the tumor in the brain, as well as the patient's age and general health. In general, there are several treatment options, including the following:
This is the first choice for treating first-stage brain cancer due to the ability to completely remove the tumor. For other stages, surgery aims to reduce the size of the tumor, which alleviates symptoms related to brain cancer. The doctor may not resort to surgical intervention to avoid causing further damage to the brain.
Radiation therapy is used to treat brain cancer after surgery, to kill any remaining cancer cells. It can also be used if surgery is not successful. Radiotherapy can also be combined with chemotherapy.
This is sometimes used. It should be noted that medications can be given orally or by injection to eliminate cancerous tumor cells in the brain.
Targeted therapy is used to treat specific types of brain cancer. These medications work by attacking specific cancer cells.
Targeted therapy is a drug treatment that targets factors that promote tumor growth without affecting healthy cells.
We note that brain cancer is often curable, and it is rarely untreatable. In general, the most important treatment methods for benign brain cancer include the following:
Surgical intervention is used to remove a benign brain tumor.
The goal of radiation therapy is to reduce the size of the tumor. Proton beam, conventional radiation, or gamma radiation may be used.
Drug therapy aims to reduce swelling and inflammation in brain tissue, in addition to assisting healing as part of treatment.
The most important methods of preventing brain cancer include the following:
However, we note that these measures do not guarantee complete prevention of brain cancer, but they do help reduce the risk of developing it. You should consult your doctor to obtain appropriate advice based on your health condition and personal risk factors.
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