symptons

Symptoms and Tests for Brain Cancer

Brain cancer is a disease of the brain in which abnormal cells arise in the brain tissue. Cancer cells grow to form a mass of cancer tissue termed as “tumor” that interferes with brain functions such as muscle control, sensation, memory, and other normal body functions.
There are two types of brain cancer:
Primary brain tumors – Cancer cells that develop from the brain tissue
Metastatic brain tumors – Tumors that spread from other body parts to the brain

Causes of brain cancer

Many researches have shown that people working in an oil refinery or in rubber industry have higher rates of brain cancer. Some other risk factors such as smoking, radiation exposure, and viral infection have been suggested to cause brain cancer. Brain cancer may be difficult for someone to recognize but there are some common symptoms of brain cancer that may be cause for concern.

Symptoms of brain cancer

Brain tumors can have many symptoms. Some of the most common are
• Headaches and weaknesses
• Nausea and vomiting
• Changes in ability to talk, hear or see
• Problems with balance or walking
• Problems with thinking or Memory loss
• Muscle jerking or twitching
• Weakness of arms or legs

Test for Brain Cancer

The test for brain cancer includes a thorough physical and neurological exam. A neurological helps to evaluate the brain and nervous system including some functionality of body such as reflexes, sensation, movement, balance, alertness, coordination, vision, and hearing. Imaging tests that may be performed include MRI or CT scan, which use computer technology to create detailed pictures of the brain.

Following are the list of diagnostic tests used in the diagnosis of Brain cancer:

• Physical exam
• CT scan
• MRI scan
• PET scan
• EEG
• Spinal tap
• Biopsy
• Skull x-ray
• Angiogram
• Myelogram

Remember, Brain Cancer is treatable if caught in the earliest stages of the disease.

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Types of Thyroid cancer and its symptoms

Thyroid cancer is a cancerous growth of the thyroid gland. The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland located at the base of the neck. It produces hormones that regulate the heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature and weight. There are several types of thyroid cancer :

- Papillary thyroid cancer : The papillary type of thyroid cancer is the most common, making up about 80 percent of all thyroid cancer diagnoses. Papillary thyroid cancer can occur at any age, but is most commonly diagnosed in people ages 30 to 50.
- Follicular thyroid cancer : Follicular thyroid cancer also includes Hurthle cell cancer. Follicular thyroid cancer typically occurs in people older than 50. (An estimated 11% of all thyroid cancer cases).
- Medullary thyroid cancer accounts for 5 to 10 percent of thyroid cancer cases. It arises in C cells, not follicular cells. Medullary thyroid cancer is easier to control if it is found and treated before it spreads to other parts of the body.
- Anaplastic thyroid cancer is the least common type of thyroid cancer (only 1 to 2 percent of cases). It arises in the follicular cells. The cancer cells are highly abnormal and difficult to recognize. This type of cancer is usually very hard to control because the cancer cells tend to grow and spread very quickly.
- Thyroid lymphoma : Thyroid lymphoma begins in the immune system cells in the thyroid. Thyroid lymphoma is very rare. It occurs most often in adults age 70 or older.

These rarer types of thyroid cancer are usually more aggressive, with a higher chance of spreading to another part of the body (metastasis).

Symptoms of Thyroid Cancer

- Cough
- Difficulty swallowing
- Enlargement of the thyroid gland
- Hoarseness or changing voice
- Neck swelling
- Thyroid lump (nodule)

What are different symptoms of Lung cancer ?

Lung cancer in its early stage and sometimes even later may not cause any signs and symptoms. In its advanced stage, the cancer cells interfere with normal lung function. The symptoms associated with lung cancer can result from the original tumor or from tumors that have spread to other organs. The cancers are usually identified incidentally when a chest x-ray is performed for another reason.

Common signs and symptoms of lung cancer are :

- A cough that does not go away and gets worse over time.
- Coughing up blood (hemoptysis) or bloody mucus.
- Chest, shoulder, or back pain that doesn’t go away and often is made worse by deep.
- Hoarseness.
- Weight loss and loss of appetite.
- Increase in volume of sputum.
- Wheezing.
- Shortness of breath.
- Repeated respiratory infections, such as bronchitis or pneumonia.
- Repeated problems with pneumonia or bronchitis.
- Fatigue and weakness.
- New onset of wheezing.
- Swelling of the neck and face.
- Clubbing of the fingers and toes. The nails appear to bulge out more than normal.
- Some patients may have paraneoplastic syndromes which are caused by biologically active substances that are secreted by the tumor.

Symptoms related to metastasis

Lung cancer that has spread to the bones may produce excruciating pain at the sites of bone involvement. Cancer that has spread to the brain may cause a number of neurologic symptoms that may include blurred vision, headaches, seizures, or symptoms of stroke such as weakness or loss of sensation in parts of the body.

Paraneoplastic symptoms

Lung cancers frequently are accompanied by symptoms that result from production of hormone-like substances by the tumor cells. These hormone related symptoms vary from person to person but may include:
- Pins and needles or numbness in fingers or toes.
- Muscle weakness.
- Drowsiness, weakness, dizziness or confusion.
- Breast swelling in men.
- Blood clots (thrombosis).
These symptoms are uncommon with lung cancer but they can happen.

Symptoms of pancoast tumours

Lung cancer growing right at the top of the lung is called a ‘pancoast tumour’. The symptoms include :
- Drooping or weakness of one eyelid.
- Small pupil in that eye.
- Loss of sweating on that same side of the face.

If any symptoms is found, it is better to consult a doctor because only doctor can make a diagnosis.