The central nervous system's governing body is a complex structure consisting of several types of unique cells. The brain has immunological and blood-brain barrier, so the tumors in it do not metastasize and grow only within its limits. Due to this isolation, the treatment of neoplasms is difficult.
Tumor of the brain - causes
Scientists failed to identify factors that significantly provoked cell mutation and uncontrolled division. There are only assumptions about the conditions conducive to the appearance of tumors. Tumor of the brain - the causes of predisposition:
- family history;
- heredity;
- permanent and prolonged contact with carcinogenic chemicals;
- exposure to radiation and other types of harmful ionizing radiation;
- age after 45 years.
Tumors of the brain - classification
The pathology considered can be benign and malignant. In terms of treatment and prognosis of survival histological features of the neoplasm are insignificant. A benign tumor is as dangerous as a malignant brain cancer, especially if it is deep and rapidly increases in size. When diagnosing an oncologist, the localization of the neoplasm, its vastness and structure are of more interest.
By structure, the group of diseases described is divided into the following types:
- tumors of the hematopoietic and lymphatic tissues;
- neuroepithelial;
- neoplasm of spinal and cranial nerves;
- damage to shells;
- cysts and similar processes;
- metastatic tumors (from other organs);
- neoplasm of the Turkish saddle;
- pituitary;
- dysembryonogenetic (embryonic);
- unclassified.
By location, the brain tumor can be:
- internal, developing directly in the parenchyma;
- extracerebral;
- intraventricular;
- intermediate.
How to identify a brain tumor?
The typical clinical picture of the disease corresponds to its size and localization. Oncologists distinguish common and focal signs of a brain tumor. The first group of phenomena occurs due to increased pressure inside the skull or compression of the basic structures of the organ. Focal disorders are numerous, they are caused by the location of the neoplasm and those departments whose functioning it violates.
Tumor of the brain - symptoms in the early stages
If the mutation and cloning of pathological cells has just begun, there is no noticeable clinic. Symptoms of a brain tumor in the early stages of progression are extremely rare or they are so weak that a person does not attach importance to them. The first signs of growth of the tumor may include:
- headaches ;
- vomiting;
- changes in sensitivity (tactile, taste or olfactory);
- deterioration of vision;
- auditory and verbal (oral and written) violations;
- dizziness;
- fatigue and others.
In the early stages, the brain tumor is small and does not tighten the surrounding tissues too much. In connection with this, the listed clinical phenomena are almost not noticeable for the patient or are perceived as concomitant signs of other pathologies, and the person does not assume pathological neoplasms in his head. To the oncologist, patients come mainly in the presence of severe disorders in the late stages of disease progression.
Benign brain tumor - symptoms
There is no significant difference between histologically different types of neoplasms. Benign brain tumor is accompanied by the same clinical manifestations as malignant. Sometimes it is even more dangerous due to localization, which does not allow for adequate treatment. Typical signs of neoplasms:
- hormonal disorders, especially if the tumor is located in the pituitary gland;
- auditory and visual hallucinations;
- cognitive changes;
- psychomotor disorders;
- fluctuations in blood pressure and heart rate;
- incorrect recognition of objects, their location in space;
- loss of orientation;
- memory impairment, down to forgetting personal information;
- pathological changes in coordination (instability, unsteadiness of gait) and others.
Malignant neoplasm of brain
The examined histological appearance of the neoplasm is characterized by a clinical picture identical to benign cellular structures. The brain cancer symptoms are similar, but may be accompanied by more pronounced lesions of the organ:
- epileptic seizures;
- acute swelling of the parenchyma;
- hemorrhage;
- ischemic attacks, strokes ;
- decrease of intellect and creative inclinations;
- behavior changes.
A large and long-term progressive malignant brain tumor sometimes causes severe disruption of the central and peripheral nervous system:
- paresis;
- blindness;
- paralysis;
- deafness;
- amnesia;
- dumbness and other.
How does the headache with a brain tumor?
In the early stages of neoplasm development, the symptom described is felt as a periodic unpleasant ripple. Later, headaches with a brain tumor become very intense, some patients feel them unbearable. This sign acquires a crushing and permanent character. The pain is so strong that it significantly reduces the efficiency, provokes irritability and aggression. It's hard to stop, the standard non-narcotic analgesics do not help.
Diagnosis of a brain tumor
Because of the location of the neoplasm inside the skull and the difficulties with access to this part of the body, it is difficult to detect the presence of a pathological process. Neither late, nor early signs of a brain tumor are not grounds for setting a definitive diagnosis. Confirmation of suspicion of the presence of neoplasm is carried out according to a standard scheme consisting of 3 steps:
- Consultation. Based on the existing symptoms, a person turns to a therapist or neurologist. The doctor collects a detailed anamnesis and decides on a preliminary diagnosis, hospitalization of the patient or his referral to another narrowly specialized specialist.
- Examination. At the appointment with a neurologist, the severity and severity of clinical manifestations is assessed. With justified suspicions of a brain tumor, the physician conducts a primary differential diagnosis - a check of stability in Romberg's posture, pain and tactile sensitivity, tendon reflexes, performs the palcenosal test.
- The confirmation. Reliable methods of brain research that can detect neoplasms include magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography with contrast. To determine the histological quality of the pathology, diagnostic surgical manipulations (biopsy) can be prescribed.
How to treat a brain tumor?
Therapy of the problem under consideration involves the development of individual complex schemes corresponding to the severity of the disease, its nature and propensity to progress. Tumor brain treatment includes the following:
- Cessation of symptoms. The drugs are used to mitigate the course of pathology, improve the quality of life of a person. Mostly prescribed antiemetic, sedative and anti-inflammatory drugs, in addition - glucocorticosteroids, narcotic painkillers .
- Irradiation. This technique ensures the degeneration of the mutated cells and tissues that surround them. The intensity and duration of the supply of ionizing radiation is selected separately for each case in accordance with the size, localization and structure of the tumor.
- Chemotherapy. Similarly to irradiation, the dosage and frequency of administration of potent drugs is individual. High efficiency is achieved with the preliminary establishment of the sensitivity of the organism to different types of medicines.
- Operative treatment. The maximum positive results of therapy ensure the removal of tumors. For this, different surgical techniques are used, including minimally invasive interventions.
Radiation therapy for brain tumors
The presented variant of treatment is always combined with other approaches - reception of chemical agents and operations. If brain cancer has clear boundaries, local irradiation is prescribed. When spreading neoplastic cells to adjacent parts of the body or the presence of metastases, a total type of procedure is recommended. The total radiation course is 10-30 sessions with a dose of 50 to 70 Gy.
Chemotherapy for a brain tumor
Modern studies have shown that the described form of exposure is better combined with irradiation. It is desirable to alternate several drugs to reduce the brain tumor - treatment includes:
- alkylating agents;
- synthetic and semi-synthetic medicines;
- antiblastic antibiotics;
- natural preparations;
- antimetabolites.
A tumor of a malignant nature of the brain is subject to prolonged chemotherapy. The standard duration of treatment is 1-3 weeks. Intervals between medications - 1-3 days, it depends on the state of the person, the tolerance of the selected funds. Often, chemotherapy is a preparation for surgery.
Surgery to remove a tumor of the brain
A specific type of manipulation is chosen by the neurologist on the basis of data on the localization of the tumor, its size and cellular structure. Removal of a brain tumor can be carried out by the following methods:
- classical surgical intervention;
- radiosurgery (gamma knife);
- cryodestruction.
Tumor of the brain - how many live with it?
Forecasts depend on the timeliness of the detection of pathology, the location of the neoplasm, its quality and size. With correct and full-fledged therapy, started even at early stages of tumor progression, the 5-year survival rate is about 80%. If a person has recently turned to a specialist, and the neoplasm has spread, the forecasts are getting worse. When an inoperable brain tumor is diagnosed, only 30-40% of patients have a chance to live for the next 5 years.