Brain Tumor

How do Brain cancers grow over a period of time?

Cancer is a collection of many related diseases that are all characterized by one common feature. Some of these tumors do not spread beyond their point of origin. Others are capable of spreading large distances, often to other organs and tissues. This process is called “metastasis”, and tumors which can metastasize are called “cancers”.

What is Brain Tumor?
Brain tumors can either originate from within the brain (“primary brain tumors”). From cancer cells that have metastasized from other organs or tissues (“secondary brain tumors”). Primary brain tumors can be derived from the over twenty different cell types that make up the brain and its linings.

What are Primary Brain Tumor?
Primary tumors can be cancerous (malignant) or benign. These tumours start in the brain and do not spread. They rarely spread beyond the central nervous system. The tumor is still taking up space in the skull. They can cause serious complications and symptoms.

Primary Brain Tumor Types in Adults

- Gliomas
Tumors derived from astrocytes:
- Anaplastic astrocytoma (“grade III”)
- Glioblastoma multiforme
Tumors derived from oligodendrocytes:
- Oligodendrocytes
- Oligodendrogliomas
Tumors derived from ependymal cells:
- Ependymomas
- Anaplastic ependymomas
Meningiomas
- Consequences of intracranial hypertension.
- Dysfunction Irritation.

What are Secondary Brain Tumor?
- These tumours are often called metastatic tumors.
- They are the result of cancer cells originating from another part of the body.
- They are spread to the brain.
- Secondary brain tumors often indicate advanced stages of disease.
- Both cancerous primary and secondary tumors are life threatening.
- These types of tumors are usually very aggressive.
- Secondary tumors means a cancerous neoplasm that has developed in another organ elsewhere in the body
- These cancer cells have leaked from that primary tumor and then entered the lymphatic system and blood vessels.
- They then circulate through the bloodstream.
- They are then deposited in the brain.
- These cells continue growing and dividing.
- They become another invasive neoplasm of the primary cancer’s tissue.
- Secondary tumors of the brain are very common in the terminal phases of patients.

Other Types of Growth
1. Low-grade vs. high-grade:
- Low-grade tumors are slow-growing.
- High-grade tumors are fast-growing and aggressive.
- High-grade tumors can invade nearby tissue or spread elsewhere in the body.
- They are also more likely to recur after treatment.
- They are generally associated with a worse outlook.

2. Localized vs. Invasive:
- Localized tumor is confined to one area.
- It is generally easier to remove.
- It’s in an accessible part of the brain.
- An invasive tumor has spread to surrounding areas.
- It is more difficult or impossible to remove completely.

Signals and Causes
Signal Number 1:
- First headache complaint from person over 50 years old.
Possible Cause:
- Brain tumor, arteriïtis temporalis.

Signal Number 2:
- First migraine attack in person over 40 years old.
Possible Cause:
- Brain tumor.

Signal Number 3:
- Headache in person under 6 years old.
Possible Cause:
- Brain tumor, hydrocephalus.

Signal Number 4:
- Person over 50 years old with pain at temples.
Possible Cause:
- Arteriïtis temporalis

Signal Number 5:
- Pregnancy with unknown headache.
Possible Cause:
- Pre-eclampsia.

Signal Number 6:
- Increased headaches after trauma.
Possible Cause:
- Sub/Epidural hematoma.

Signal Number 7:
- Severe headaches and very high blood pressure.
Possible Cause:
- Malignant hypertension.

Signal Number 8:
- Acute severe headache.
Possible Cause:
- Meningitis, CVA (Cerebrovascular accident or stroke), subarachnoidal hemorrhage.

Signal Number 9:
- Headache and fever (with reduced consciousness).
Possible Cause:
- Meningitis.

Signal Number 10:
- Stiffness of the neck/neurological dysfunction.
Possible Cause:
- Meningitis, brain tumor.

Signal Number 11:
- Headache with signs of elevated intracranial pressure.
Possible Cause:
- Brain tumor.

Signal Number 12:
- Focal neurological dysfunction.
Possible Cause:
- Brain tumor.

Signal Number 13:
- Early morning vomiting or vomiting unrelated to headache or other illness.
Possible Cause:
- Brain tumor.

Signal Number 14:
- Behavioral changes or rapid decline in school results.
Possible Cause:
- Brain tumor.

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The Central Nervous System – what is it and why is it important for health ? – Part 2

Ignoring is human nature. We tend to ignore when we suffer from aches and pain, any kind of spots or strains. These are in fact the indications that all is not well with your body. A body system is composed of cells, tissues and organs. There are different systems running in our body. The Central Nervous System is the Master Coordinator of all other systems. It is very important for body’s health. There are various problems that are associated with central nervous system.

- Transient Ischaemic Attack(TIA)
TIA is a kind of stroke and it happens when when the blood supply to the brain is temporarily interrupted. There is a possibility that you may suffer from TIA if you face symptoms like numbness in arms or legs, disturbance in speech, some vision loss lasting for few minutes or less than 24 hrs. Seek medical help immediately.

- Stroke
If some kind of numbness is felt on one side of body, confusion, headache, vomiting, nausea then it could be a stroke and you need to rush to a hospital within an hour to treat and minimize damage.

- Encephalitis, Meningitis or Brain Tumor
If you are experiencing headache accompanied by a stiff neck or sensitivity to light or sound and nausea for over a day then it could be a brain tumor and you need to consult a neurologist as soon as possible.

- Brain Tumor
If you are experiencing severe and sudden headaches or numbness and tingling in limbs or loss of peripheral vision then it could be a brain tumor and you need to consult a neurologist as soon as possible.

- Migraine
If you are experiencing nausea, vomiting, seeing flashing lights, difficulty in tolerating light, exhaustion, headache on one side that can last from 4 to 72 hours then it could be a migraine which need medication. Keep a watch for couple of days and seek medical help.

- Tension Headache
If you are experiencing headache like a tight band is tied around the head and it throbs in time to your pulse. It could also result in vomiting then it could be a tension headache and it needs pain killers and stress busters. Self medication can help.