Brain Tumors (Benign and Malignant)_ Symptoms, Causes, Treatment

6/23/14 7:25 PMBrain Tumors (Benign and Malignant): Symptoms, Causes, Treatment

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Brain Cancer Health Center

Brain Tumors in Adults

No one knows what causes brain tumors; there are only a few known risk factors that have beenestablished by research. Children who receive radiation to the head have a higher risk of developing abrain tumor as adults, as do people who have certain rare genetic conditions such as neurofibromatosisor Li-Fraumeni syndrome. But those cases represent a fraction of the approximately 35,000 new primarybrain tumors diagnosed each year. Age is also a risk factor -- people over the age of 65 are diagnosedwith brain cancer at a rate four times higher than younger people.

A primary brain tumor is one that originates in the brain, and not all primary brain tumors are cancerous;benign tumors are not aggressive and normally do not spread to surrounding tissues, although they canbe serious and even life threatening.

The National Cancer Institute estimates there will be about 23,000 newcases of brain cancer diagnosed in 2012.

What Is a Tumor?

A tumor is a mass of tissue that's formed by an accumulation of abnormalcells. Normally, the cells in your body age, die, and are replaced by newcells. With cancer and other tumors, something disrupts this cycle. Tumorcells grow, even though the body does not need them, and like normal oldcells, they don't die. As this process goes on, the tumor continues to growas more and more cells are added to the mass.

Primary brain tumors emerge from the various cells that make up the brainand central nervous system and are named for the kind of cell in whichthey first form. The most common types of adult brain tumors are gliomasand astrocytic tumors. These tumors form from astrocytes and other typesof glial cells, which are cells that help keep nerves healthy.

The second most common type of adult brain tumors are meningeal tumors. These form in the meninges,the thin layer of tissue that covers the brain and spinal cord.

What's the Difference Between Benign and Malignant Brain Tumors?

Benign brain tumors are noncancerous. Malignant primary brain tumors are cancers that originate in thebrain, typically grow faster than benign tumors, and aggressively invade surrounding tissue. Althoughbrain cancer rarely spreads to other organs, it will spread to other parts of the brain and central nervoussystem.

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Benign brain tumors usually have clearly defined borders and usually are not deeply rooted in braintissue. This makes them easier to surgically remove, assuming they are in an area of the brain that canbe safely operated on. But even after they've been removed, they can still come back, although benigntumors are less likely to recur than malignant ones.

Although benign tumors in other parts of the body can cause problems, they are not generally consideredto be a major health problem or to be life-threatening. But even a benign brain tumor can be a serioushealth problem. Brain tumors damage the cells around them by causing inflammation and puttingincreased pressure on the tissue under and around it as well as inside the skull.

What Are the Symptoms of a Brain Tumor in Adults?

Symptoms of brain tumors vary according to the type of tumor and the location. Because different areasof the brain control different functions of the body, where the tumor lies affects the way symptoms aremanifested.

Some tumors have no symptoms until they are quite large and then cause a serious, rapid decline inhealth. Other tumors may have symptoms that develop slowly.

A common initial symptom of a brain tumor is headaches. Often, they don'trespond to the usual headache remedies. Keep in mind that mostheadaches are unrelated to brain tumors.

Other symptoms include:

Seizures

Changes in speech or hearing

Changes in vision

Balance problems

Problems with walking

Numbness or tingling in the arms or legs

Problems with memory

Personality changes

Inability to concentrate

Weakness in one part of the body

It's important to keep in mind that these symptoms can be caused by a number of different conditions.Don't assume you have a brain tumor just because you experience some of them. Check with yourdoctor.

How Are Brain Tumors Diagnosed?

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



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tests:

Imaging studies such as a CT(CAT) scan or MRI to see detailed images of the brain

Angiogram or MRA, which involve the use of dye and X-rays of blood vessels in the brain to look forsigns of a tumor or abnormal blood vessels

The doctor may also ask for a biopsy to determine whether or not the tumor is cancer. A tissue sample isremoved from the brain either during surgery to remove the tumor or with a needle inserted through asmall hole drilled into the skull before treatment is started. The sample is then sent to a lab for testing.

How Are Brain Tumors Treated?

Surgery to remove the tumor is typically the first option once a brain tumor has been diagnosed.However, some tumors can't be surgically removed because of their location in the brain. In those cases,chemotherapy and radiation therapy are both options for killing and shrinking the tumor. Sometimes,chemotherapy or radiation is also used after surgery to kill any remaining cancer cells. Tumors that aredeep in the brain or in areas that are difficult reach may be treated with Gamma Knife therapy, which is aform of highly focused radiation therapy.

Because treatment for cancer also can damage healthy tissue, it's important to discuss possible side andlong-term effects of whatever treatment is being used with your doctor. The doctor can explain the riskand the possibility of losing certain faculties. The doctor can also explain the importance of planning forrehabilitation following treatment. Rehabilitation could involve working with several different therapists,such as:

Physical therapist to regain strength and balance

Speech therapist to address problems with speaking, expressing thoughts, or swallowing

Occupational therapist to help manage daily activities such as using the bathroom, bathing, anddressing

SOURCES:MedlinePlus Encyclopedia: "Brain tumor - primary - adults."National Cancer Institute: "National Cancer Institute Brain Tumor Study in Adults: Fact Sheet."National Cancer Institute: "What You Need to Know About Brain Tumors."National Cancer Institute: "General Information About Brain Tumors."



American Brain Tumor Association: "Symptoms."National Cancer Institute: "Adult Brain Tumors Treatment."

Reviewed by Varnada Karriem-Norwood, MD on September 25, 2012© 2012 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved.

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Brain Tumors (Benign and Malignant)_ Symptoms, Causes, Treatment