Brain Cancer

What is Brain Cancer?

Primary brain cancer, also known simply as brain cancer, is an overgrowth of cells in your brain that forms masses called brain tumors. This is different than cancer which starts in another part of your body and spreads to your brain. When that happens, it’s called secondary or metastasized brain cancer.

Some types of cancerous brain tumors can grow very quickly. These malignant tumors can disrupt the way your body works. Brain tumors can be life threatening and need to be treated as soon as they’re detected.

What are the symptoms of Brain Cancer?

The symptoms of brain cancer depend on the size and location of the brain tumor. Brain cancer shares many symptoms with several less serious conditions, especially in the early stages.

Many of these symptoms are incredibly common and unlikely to indicate brain cancer. But if you’ve been experiencing these symptoms for more than a week, if they’ve come on suddenly, if they’re not relieved by over-the-counter pain medications, or if you’re alarmed by any of them, it’s a good idea to have them checked out by a doctor.

Common brain cancer symptoms include:

• Headaches that are usually worse in the morning
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• A lack of coordination
• A lack of balance
• Difficulty walking
• Memory lapses
• Difficulty thinking
• Speech Problems
• Vision Problems
• Personality changes
• Abnormal eye movements
• Muscle jerking
• Muscle Twitching
• Unexplained passing out, or Syncope
• Drowsiness
• Numbness or tingling in the arms or legs
• Seizures

The prognosis for brain cancer is greatly improved by early detection. If you experience any of the above symptoms with regularity or think that your symptoms might be more significant, see a doctor as soon as possible for an evaluation.

Causes and risk factors for Brain Cancer

Other risk factors that might be related to developing brain cancer include:

• Increased age
• A family history of brain cancer
• Long-term smoking
• Exposure to pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizer
• Working with elements that can cause cancer, like lead, plastic, rubber, petroleum, and some textiles
• Having an Epstein-Barr Virus infection, or Mononucleosis

Secondary brain cancer, the type of brain cancer that occurs when cancer that began in another part of your body spreads to your brain, is more likely to be caused by some types of cancer than others.

Cancers that commonly spread, or metastasize, to the brain include:

• Lung Cancer
• Breast Cancer
• Kidney Cancer
• Bladder Cancer
• Melanoma, which is a type of skin cancer

How is brain cancer diagnosed?

If you have symptoms of a Brain Tumor your doctor may perform one of the following to make a diagnosis:

• A neurological examination to determine if a tumor is affecting your brain
• Imaging tests, like CT, MRI, and Positron emission tomography (PET) scans, to locate the tumor
• A lumbar puncture, which is a procedure that collects a small sample of the fluid that surrounds your brain and spinal cord, to check for cancer cells
• A brain biopsy, which is a surgical procedure in which a small amount of the tumor is removed for diagnostic testing and to determine if your tumor is malignant

How is brain cancer treated?

There are several treatments for brain cancer. Treatment for primary brain cancer will be different from treatment for cancers that have metastasized from other sites.

You may receive one or more treatments depending on the type, size, and location of your brain tumor. Your age and general health will also be factors.

Brain tumor treatments include:

• Surgery. Brain Surgery is the most common treatment for brain tumors. Depending on location of the tumor, it might be able to be removed fully, partially, or not all.
• Chemotherapy. These drugs can destroy cancer cells in your brain and shrink your tumor. You might recieve chemotherapy orally or intravenously.
• Radiation therapy. This technique uses high-energy waves, like X-Rays, to destroy tumor tissue and cancer cells that can’t be surgically removed.
• Combination therapy. Receiving chemotherapy and radiation therapy at the same time is called combination therapy.
• Biologic drugs. These drugs boost, direct, or restore your body’s natural defenses against your tumor. For example, is a commonly used class of biologic drug that works by increasing your immune system’s ability to target and fight cancer.
• Other medications. Your doctor may prescribe medications to treat symptoms and side effects caused by your brain tumor and brain cancer treatments.
• Clinical trials. In advanced cases of brain cancer that don’t respond to treatment, clinical trial therapies and medications may be used. These are treatments that are still in the testing phase. Clinical trails for brain cancer could include an immunotherapy trial and a CAR T cell therapy trial.
• Rehabilitation. You might need to attend rehabilitation sessions if your cancer or treatment has affected your ability to talk, walk, or perform other daily functions. Rehabilitation includes physical therapy, occupational therapy, and other therapies that can help you relearn activities.
• Alternative therapies. There isn’t much scientific research that supports using alternative therapies to treat brain cancer. But some healthcare professionals do recommend steps like a Balanced Diet and vitamin and mineral supplementation to replace nutrients lost from your cancer treatment. Talk with your doctor before you change your diet, take any supplements or herbs, or pursue any other alternative therapies.