Posts Tagged ‘Tumour’

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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Study: Exercise during childhood decreases chances of glioma (brain tumour)

Glioma is a type of brain cancer, statistically accounting for around 80% of all brain tumors and central nervous system cancers. However, there is not too much information available about the reasons for glioma, or the risk factors. One line of thought is that since the brain develops rapidly during childhood, environmental influences can affect the brain at this time. In a statistical study of the impact of exercise on these type of brain cancers during childhood, a study was conducted (and like all studies especially based on statistics, the data will need to be backed up with more information, and with more detailed studies). The study found that children who have had more exercise during their childhood have a lower chance of contracting brain cancer (link to article):

Although very less is known about the causes of glioma, researchers at the National Cancer Institute have found that this rare but often deadly form of brain cancer may be linked to early life physical activity and height. “Our findings suggest that biological factors related to energy expenditure and growth during childhood may play a role in glioma etiology. This clue could help researchers better understand important features of glioma biology and the potentially modifiable lifestyle factors that could be important in preventing this disease,” said Steven C. Moore, Ph.D., research fellow in the Nutritional Epidemiology Branch, NCI.
Participants who were physically active during adolescence had a decreased risk of glioma; their risk was about 36 percent lower than those who were inactive, according to the study. The researchers also found that those who were obese during adolescence had an increased risk of glioma; their risk was approximately three to four times that of individuals who were normal weight during adolescence.