Brain Cancer

Q. What is brain cancer?

A. A brain consists of numerous minute individual nerve cells, which are visible only through microscope. A brain cancer may affect any of these cells. It usually begins in an individual cell and later spread to other cells to form a tumor. However, a tumor may be benign or malignant. Benign or non cancerous tumors are the result of normal cells’ overgrowth, and hence do not invade other brain tissues. But, it produces some kinds of symptoms and may prove dangerous for the working of brain and spinal cord. In contrast to benign tumors, malignant or cancerous tumors are caused by the growth of abnormal cells and rapidly invade other brain cells, thereby destroying healthy as well as vital brain tissues.

Majority of the cancerous brain tumors are in the form of malignant gliomas, which originate from glial cells – the support cells found on the central nervous system. Among the different types of gliomas are astrocytoma, brain stem glioma, ependymoma, oligodendroglioma, and mixed tumors. Menigiomas developing in the meninges, germinomas arising in germ cell tumors, and tumors occurring in cerebrums such as medulloblastomas, are the other types of brain tumors.

Brain cancers are categorized into: primary brain cancer and matastatic or secondary brain cancer. Primary brain cancer originates in the brain and has less chance to spread to other parts of the body. On the other hand, the cancer cell that develops in other parts of the body, particularly kidney, lungs and breasts, and finally metastasizes to the brain is matastatic or secondary brain cancer. Compared to primary brain cancer, matastatic brain cancers are more common.

Further, brain cancers are of different grades: low grade, high grade, and intermediate grade.

 

Q. How common is brain cancer?

A. Brain cancers are generally not common. It is estimated that this disease affects ten among thousand people each year. According to certain studies, primary brain cancers constitute about one and a half percent of all cancers. However, they are the most common cancers found in children, and some studies reveal that primary brain cancers are the second most cause of death due to cancer in children up to 15 years old.

 

Q. What are the risk factors for brain cancer?

A. The exact reason for developing brain cancer is unknown. Below mentioned are regarded as some of the risk factors of brain cancer:

• Sex: Brain cancers are more common in males, compared to females.
• Environmental factors: i.e. people who are exposed to acrylonitrile, radiation, vinyl chloride, and formaldehyde have greater chances to develop brain tumors.
• Race: It is found that brain tumors are common among white people than among people belonging to other races
• Genetic factors: Anyone with family members who have had diseases like Von-Hippel Lindau and gliomas are at an increased risk to develop brain cancer
• Age: It is often seen that this disease usually affects people above 70 years old. But, children under the age of 12 are also at an increased risk for developing brain cancer. 
• Immune system disorder: People with impaired immune system or diseases like Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) have greater chance to develop brain cancer

 

Q. Who is at increased risk for developing brain cancer?

The nature of occupation is regarded as one of the root causes for developing brain cancer. For example, people working with items like metal sheets and rubber and plastic products are at higher risk to get this disease. Brain cancer also affects people employed in manufacturing industries, gasoline service stations, and military sectors. Besides, those working in plumbing, heating, and air conditioning areas are at greater chances for brain cancer. Usually, it is considered that men are at increased risk to develop brain cancer. But, women can also develop this disease, especially, if they work in such areas as agricultural and farm sectors, textile sectors, and manufacturing firms. According to a recent study, long term usage of cell phone and cordless phones may put people at greater risk for developing brain cancer.

 

Q. What are the symptoms of brain cancer?

Symptoms of brain cancer generally depend on the type, size and location of the malignant brain tumor. There will be no symptoms at all in the beginning stage. As the tumor grows, it tends to produce some noticeable symptoms, such as

• Unexplained headaches, particularly in the morning
• Nausea or vomiting
• Blurred vision
• Unable to speak properly 
• Unable to walk properly
• Balance problems
• Memory loss
• Muscle jerking
• Tingling or numbness in the legs
• Changes in personality and mood

However, it is important to note that all these may not be sure symptoms of brain cancer.

 

Q. How is brain cancer diagnosed?

People suspected of brain tumor are referred to a neurosurgeon or neurologist. They in turn refer patients for tests like eye test, CT scan, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), and angiogram.

 

Q. How is brain cancer treated?

Several treatments options are available for brain cancer. However, they are mostly based on the type and stage of the malignant brain tumor. Different types of brain cancer treatments include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy such as fractionation, stereotactic radiation therapy, and proton beam radiation therapy.