BRAIN TUMOR

Types

There many types of brain tumors based on how fast they grow and how they recur after many years or after treatment. Grade one and two tumors are usually low grade tumors while grade three and four tumors are more likely to be high grade.

There are basically two types of tumors:

• Benign brain tumors are non-cancerous and re low grade. They usually grow slowly and they often do not return after treatment.
• Malignant brain tumors are more likely to be cancerous and are high-grade. They may start in the brain as primary tumors and then spread to the other parts of the body. Or, they can also spread from other parts of the body to the brain, also known as secondary tumors.

Symptoms

A brain tumor may present with the following symptoms:

• Headaches
• Seizures
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Drowsiness
• Behavioural changes
• Poor memory
• Weakness or paralysis on one side of the body
• Vision problems
• Speech problems

DIAGNOSIS

To diagnose a brain tumor, the doctor starts by asking questions about your symptoms and taking a personal and family health history. Then he or she performs a physical exam, including a neurological exam. If there’s reason to suspect a brain tumor, the doctor may request one or more of the following tests:

• CT scan
• MRI scan
• Angiogram or MRA
• Biopsy

MEDICATIONS/TREATMENT

Brain tumor is most often treated by surgery; however some tumors cannot be removed because of their location in the brain. If this is the case, the doctor may opt to do chemotherapy and radiation to shrink the tumor. Gamma Knife therapy may be used to treat hard to reach tumors.