Brain Cancer

#ffffff;" />history, a neurologic assessment, skull x-rays, a brain
Malignant brain tumors occur in about 4.5 people perscan, CT scan, MRI, a lumbar puncture and cerebral
100,000 population, they may occur at any age butangiography. Meningiomas, arising from the covering
brain cancer is the leading cause of cancer-relatedaround the brain or spinal cord, account for about
death in patients younger than age 35. In adults,20% of brain cancers and are generally more benign.
incidence is generally highest between ages 40 to 60.TREATMENT OF BRAIN TUMORS
There are two main types of brain cancer. PrimaryHow to treat brain tumors depends on the age of
brain tumors start in the brain. Metastatic brainthe patient, the stage of the disease, the type and
tumours start somewhere else in the body andlocation of the tumor, and whether the cancer is a
moves to the brain. The most common tumor typesprimary tumor or brain metastases. Brain cancer and
in adults are gliomas and meningiomas. In children,brain tumors are somewhat unique because of the
incidence is generally highest before age 1 and againblood brain barrier, which severely restricts the types
between ages 2 and 12. The most common types ofof substances in the bloodstream that are allowed by
brain tumour in children are astrocytomas,the body into the brain and makes drug treatment
medulloblastomas, ependymomas and brain stemextremely difficult. Because of this more and more
gliomas.research is being undertaken in delivering medication
CAUSES OF BRAIN CANCERby means of nanoparticles, amongst the properties
What causes brain cancer is not exactly known butof nanoparticles that make them ideal candidates for
there has recently been a great deal of speculationrecognizing and treating brain cancer, their ability to
on the role of cell phone radiation in the developmentdeliver a wide variety of payloads across the
of brain cancer. In fact, while studies generally haveblood-brain barrier is perhaps the most important.
shown no link between cell phones and brain cancer,Brain cancer’s location and ability to spread
there is some conflicting scientific evidence that mayquickly makes treatment with surgery or radiation like
be worth additional study, according to the FDA.fighting an enemy hiding out among minefields and
More accepted risk factors for brain cancer include;caves, and explains why the term brain cancer is all
exposure to vinyl chloride and individuals with risktoo often associated with the word inoperable.
factors such as having a job in an oil refinery, as aBrain cancer survival statistics for the deadliest of
chemist, embalmer, or rubber industry worker showtumors such as gliomas have not improved
higher rates of brain cancer. Other risk factors suchsignificantly over the past two decades and the
as smoking, radiation exposure, and viral infectionclinical armamentarium is, to a large extent, still
(HIV) have been suggested but not proven to causedependent on surgery and radiation therapy,
brain cancer. Patients with a history of melanoma,treatments known to leave survivors with
lung, breast, colon, or kidney cancer are at risk fordevastating cognitive deficits. Gamma knife surgery is
secondary brain cancer.a radiosurgery technique used to treat people with
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF BRAIN CANCERbrain cancer and other neurological disorders
Onset of symptoms is usually insidious and brainThe most deadly form of brain cancer may be
tumors are often misdiagnosed. Brain Cancers causetreatable with a vaccine that uses proteins. Unlike
central nervous system changes by invading andmeasles or mumps vaccines, which are meant to
destroying tissues and by secondary effects such asprevent disease, the brain cancer vaccine turns on
pressure on the brain. Symptoms vary but in general,the patient's own immune system so it will help kill
brain cancer symptoms include: Abnormal pulse andthe tumor. When the vaccine is injected, it stimulates
breathing rates, deep, dull headaches that recur oftenthe immune system to kill off brain cancer cells and
and persist without relief for long periods of time,prevent the regrowth of tumors that have already
difficulty walking or speaking, dizziness, eyesightbeen treated.
problems including double vision, seizures, vomitingPROGNOSIS
and at the late stages of the disorder dramaticThe chances of surviving for a person with a brain
changes in blood pressure may occur. Althoughtumor: Prognosis greatly depends on all of the
headaches are often a symptom of brain cancer, it isfollowing: type of tumor extent of the disease size
important to remember that most headaches areand location of the tumor presence or absence of
due to less serious conditions such as migraine ormetastasis the tumor's response to therapy, age,
tension, not cancer.overall health, and medical history, tolerance of
DIAGNOSIS OF BRAIN CANCERSspecific medications, procedures, or therapies.
In most cases a definitive diagnosis is made by aMetastatic brain cancer indicates advanced disease
tissue biopsy. Other diagnostic tools include; patientand has a poor prognosis.