Cerebral tumors occur when there is an abnormal amount of cell growth in the brain or skull. There are more than 100 different types of brain tumors, but they can all be classified as either primary or secondary, which means they originate in the brain or stem from another part of the body. Brain tumors can also be classified as malignant (cancerous) or benign (non-cancerous). According to the American Brain Tumor Association, more than 180,000 adults aged 35 and older are diagnosed with brain tumors each year.
Symptoms
A headache is the most common symptom of brain tumors. These headaches are characterized as being worse than migraines and are usually more painful in the morning but ease up during the day. According to the American Brain Tumor Association, an estimated 1/3 of all diagnosed individuals aren't aware they have a brain tumor until they suffer a seizure. A seizure occurs when the regular flow of electricity to the brain is disrupted.
Individuals may have drastic personality changes or suffer memory loss because the tumors apply pressure in the skull. Other symptoms of brain tumors are ringing in the ears, hearing loss, lack of coordination, difficulty speaking, vision problems, balance problems and loss of muscle control.
Causes
The main cause of cerebral tumors is cancer. According to the Mayo Clinic, secondary brain tumors are more common than primary brain tumors. These secondary tumors are caused by cancers from other parts of the body. Common cancers that can lead to brain tumors are breast cancer, colon cancer, lung cancer and skin cancer.
Diagnosis
Neurological exams are typically the beginning stages of testing for brain tumors. They check vision, hearing, coordination, balance and reflexes. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is used to generate images of the brain to see if there are any visible abnormalities. A CT scan is another form of imaging and can provide added details. If a tumor is detected, then a biopsy will be done to determine whether the growth is cancerous.
Treatment
Once diagnosed, a cerebral tumor can be removed with a high success rate via surgery. If the tumor is more advanced or in a difficult location, there are still other treatment options, including radiation therapy (the use of an external source of radiation), radiosurgery (the use of multiple beams of radiation), chemotherapy (a drug ingested or injected) and targeted drug therapy (drugs focus on the cancer cells and attempt to block the abnormalities in cancer cells from forming).
Rehabilitation
Rehabilitation may be necessary in the recovery process. Depending on the location of the cerebral tumor, an individual might suffer from impairments to motor skills, vision, speech and thought process. Rehabilitation can help individuals strengthen, relearn or correct damages suffered from the tumor. Rehabilitation can also help individuals get back to work, go back to school and live a normal lifestyle.
