Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) damage in the brain can lead to uncontrolled cellular growth, resulting in brain cancer. The stereotypical lump of tissue associated with a tumor is the physical manifestation of the uncontrolled growth. Removal of the damaged cells generally halts the cancerous growth, but other cells may still be at risk for out-of-control growth.
Types
The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center recognizes both primary and secondary brain tumors. Primary brain tumors, such as astrocytomas, gliomas, ependymomas, oligodendrogliomas, medulloblastomas, meningiomas, schwannomas, craniopharyngiomas, germinomas and pineal region tumors originate from damaged cells in the brain. Secondary tumors, such as lung cancer or pancreatic cancer, originate in other parts of the body and spread to the brain.
Causes
Primary brain tumors are caused by damaged DNA in brain cells. DNA damage occurs on a regular basis all over the body in individual cells. In a healthy individual, repair systems immediately fix any DNA damage caused during the synthesis of DNA. Brain tumors occur when this repair machinery is itself damaged, or there is so much damage at other sites in the DNA that the repair machinery can’t keep up. Exactly what causes DNA damage to occur in the first place is unknown, but exposure to radiation, heavy metals and even viruses have been implicated.
Symptoms
Difficulties in recognizing symptoms of a brain tumor occur due to the generality of symptoms. The most common symptoms of a brain tumor are shared with many other types of diseases or conditions. Additionally, a lack of symptoms does not necessarily rule out a brain tumor, which can be asymptomatic. According to the American Brain Tumor Association, some general symptoms of a brain tumor include: headache in combination with vomiting, seizures and/or personality changes.
Treatment
Treatment for a brain tumor depends on a number of factors: location of the tumor, the amount of growth that has occurred, and the age and health of the patient, among others. Treatment could include a combination of chemotherapy, radiation treatments or surgery. Surgery is often the most effective way to completely eradicate a brain tumor, but location and size of the tumor serve as potential barriers.
Complications
Untreated brain tumors can cause serious complications in the afflicted individual. Trouble with speaking or understanding conversation, loss of balance, hearing loss and seizures can all result from a brain tumor. Complications can also arise from the treatment of the tumor itself. Infections from surgery and extreme weakness from chemical or radiation therapy may cause problems.
