Types Of Brain Tumors

Brain tumors arise from various types of cells in the brain, with tumors of supporting
tissues being more common than nerve cell tumors. These tumors tend to be named
after the kind of cell they arise in.

A tumor of the astrocyte, a neuron-support cell, is referred to as an astrocytoma.

A tumor of the cells lining the open areas inside the spinal cord and brain is an
ependymoma.

A tumor of the neurons can be a ganglioneuroma, neuroblastoma or retinoblastoma.

There are more rare tumors of specialized cells within the brain, such as germinoma,
pinealoma and choroid plexus carcinoma.

Causes and Risk Factors of Brain Tumors

Most primary brain tumors have no discernable cause.

Symptoms of Brain Tumors

There are two broad categories of symptoms. The first results from the increase in
pressure in the brain as the tumor expands. The skull is hard and cannot yield, resulting
in symptoms such as:
 Headache, which is often generalized. It is persistent and worsens with activity, such
as straining. It is often worse at night or in the early morning.
 Vomiting, which may or may not be associated with nausea. It is more common in
children than adults.
 Seizures, in an adult without a history of seizures, strongly suggests a brain tumor.
Appropriate examinations, including CT or MRI scans, should be done promptly.
 Change in mental ability or personality, that may be obvious to the family and not to
the patient, or vice versa.
 Lethargy

The other category of symptoms has to do with the tumor's location and the pressure
effects it produces on nearby structures. There are many types of local symptoms,
including:

 weakness of various parts of the body, especially an arm or a leg

 difficulties in coordination or balance
 impairment of memory
 various vision defects
 speech problems
  changes in sensation
 in the case of brain stem tumors - defects in the functioning of nerves that exit
from the base of the brain.

These symptoms may help determine the tumor's location.

Diagnosis of Brain Tumors

In addition to a medical history and physical examination, your physician may

recommend certain radiologic tests, including a head CT (computed tomography) scan
or a head MRI (magnetic resonance imaging).

Treatment of Brain Tumors

Three types of standard treatment are used.

1. Surgery 

Surgery is used, when possible, to treat adult brain tumor

2. Radiation therapy 

Radiation therapy is a cancer treatment that uses high-energy x-rays or other types of
radiation to kill cancer cells. There are two types of radiation therapy. External radiation
therapy uses a machine outside the body to send radiation toward the cancer. Internal
radiation therapy uses a radioactive substance sealed in needles, seeds, wires, or
catheters that are placed directly into or near the cancer. The way the radiation therapy
is given depends on the type and stage of the cancer being treated.

3. Chemotherapy 

Chemotherapy is a cancer treatment that uses drugs to stop the growth of cancer cells,
either by killing the cells or by stopping the cells from dividing. When chemotherapy is
taken by mouth or injected into a vein or muscle, the drugs enter the bloodstream and
can reach cancer cells throughout the body (systemic chemotherapy). When
chemotherapy is placed directly into the spinal column, an organ, or a body cavity such
as the abdomen, the drugs mainly affect cancer cells in those areas (regional
chemotherapy). A dissolving wafer may be used to deliver an anticancer drug directly
into the brain tumor site after the tumor has been removed by surgery. The way the
chemotherapy is given depends on the type and stage of the cancer being treated.