How many types of brain tumors are there, what is the treatment?

 How many types of brain tumors are there, what is the treatment?

Brain tumor, or brain cancer, is defined as the uncontrolled abnormal growth of brain cells and the disease it causes. Tumor and cancer cells are different from normal cells and brain muscle.

In the case of cancer, brain cells grow uncontrollably many times. And, they destroy or displace the cells and tissues around them.

More than 150 types of tumors have been discovered in the brain so far. Brain tumors can be divided into two parts: primary brain tumors and metastatic tumors.

Primary brain tumors

Primary brain tumors arise from parts of the brain such as tissues, cells, and membranes.

Types of primary brain tumors

Glial tumors: These are tumors made up of cells.

Non-glial tumor: This is a tumor that forms in the nerves, blood vessels, glands, and brain structures.

Benign tumor: This tumor is harmless.

Malignant tumor: This can turn into a harmful cancer.

Metastatic tumor: This is a tumor that forms when tumors that have arisen elsewhere in the body spread to the brain.

Generally, breast, lung, stomach, trachea, prostate, kidney, and thyroid cancer tumors spread to the brain through the bloodstream. A tumor that grows in one organ is called a primary tumor. A tumor that has spread to another organ is called metastatic or secondary.

Tumors that show signs of spreading from one organ to another are found in fatal cancers.

Symptoms

– Headaches (especially in the morning and at night)

– Weakness or paralysis of one side of the body, half of the body, arms or legs

– Tremors or shaking of the body, arms or legs, such as in epilepsy

– Difficulty thinking, speaking, and pronouncing words.

– Personality changes

– Dizziness or loss of balance

– Vision changes or deterioration

– Hearing changes or deterioration

– Consciousness changes or forgetfulness

– Nausea or vomiting

Causes

– If the genes in the chromosomes of the cell are damaged or if the cell does not function

– The effects of harmful elements and chemicals in the environment

– If the mechanisms that control the growth of rapidly dividing cells are deactivated

– If the body's immune system fails

– If the bad cells cannot be killed and deactivated

The World Health Organization (WHO) has simply divided brain tumors into four main categories: Grade 1, 2, 3 and 4.

Types of Benign Tumors

Meningioma

This tumor arises from the 'arachnoid membrane' surrounding the brain and spinal cord, which can later grow to a large size. This tumor is usually located at the base of the brain. This tumor can occupy 10 to 15 percent of the brain. It is one of the most common tumors.

Craniopharyngioma

Although it is a benign tumor, it is located deep in the brain near important structures and tissues. Because of this, these tumors are difficult to remove. These tumors arise from part of the pituitary gland (a structure that controls many types of hormones in the body).

Therefore, patients with pituitary tumors also have hormonal disorders.

Gangliocytoma, ganglioma, and anaplastic ganglioma

These are rare types of tumors. They are made up of tumorous nerve (neuronal) cells. This problem usually occurs in adults.

Chordoma

This is a slow-growing tumor. Which is more common in the age group of 50 to 60 years. These are mainly found in the lower part of the brain and spinal cord. However, these tumors are medium in size.

They can invade the adjacent bones. And, they can put pressure on nearby nerves and tissues. These tumors are rare.

Schwannoma

This is the most common medium-sized brain tumor. They arise from nerves. Schwannomas displace the nerves instead of invading the nerve. They can grow and put pressure on the nerves and brain. This can cause serious complications and even death.

Pituitary adenoma

This is the most common tumor after glioma, meningioma and schwannoma. These tumors grow slowly. However, they are also malignant pituitary tumors. They rarely spread in the body.

These tumors occur in children and adults. There is no need to panic if this tumor develops. Because it can be treated successfully.

Types of malignant brain tumors

Glioma

Glioma is one of the most common brain tumors. It accounts for 78 percent of malignant brain tumors.

This tumor arises from the supporting cells of the brain. Which are called glial cells. These cells are found in astrocytes, ependymal cells and oligodendroglial cells. Astrocytoma is the most common glioma tumor.

Astrocytoma

Is found in about 50 percent of tumors in the brain and spinal cord.

Astrocytoma develops from star-shaped glial cells, which are called astrocytes. These arise in most parts of the brain, but are especially common in the cerebrum.

Ependyma

The tumor develops from the cancerous transformation of ependymal cells. Ependymomas account for 2 to 3 percent of all brain tumors.

Glioblastoma multiforme

Glial tumor

The most aggressive type. These tumors grow rapidly and spread to other tissues. The long-term prognosis of these tumors is not good. Because it is complex and painful.

These tumors are made up of different types of cells, such as astrocytes and oligodendrocytes. They are more common in people between the ages of 50 and 70. This tumor is more common in men and less common in women.

Medulloblastoma

This tumor arises in the cerebellum, which is more common in children. It is a high-grade tumor that is treated mainly with chemotherapy and radiation.

Oligodendroglioma

This tumor arises from the cells that make myelin. Myelin protects the brain and nerves with the help of cells. If these myelin cells malfunction, oligodendroglioma develops into a tumor.

Test Method

Neurological Test: A neurological test performed by a neurologist or physician includes vision, hearing, balance, strength, reflexes, etc. This test indicates that the patient's difficulty is affected by the tumor and the specific part of the brain where it is located.

Imaging Test: Various methods such as MRI and CT scan can be used to detect the problem. Brain tumors are diagnosed through MRI tests. During this test, a dye is injected through a vein in the patient's arm.

Special types of MRI such as functional MRI, perfusion MRI, and magnetic resonance imaging help in evaluating the damage seen in brain tumors and making a treatment plan.

Similarly, CT scan and abdominal CT scan are used in special situations. This helps in later treatment and evaluation.

Biopsy sample collection and testing: A sample can be taken through a needle to identify it or even the entire surgery can be done at once. The type and location of the tumor determines which procedure to use.

Stereotactic needle biopsy: It is used to biopsy tumors that are deep in the brain or in complex areas.

It is best for tumors that are too sensitive or that can be damaged by surgery. For this, a neurosurgeon can make a small incision in the patient's head and insert a thin needle to perform the biopsy.

Treatment

The treatment for a brain tumor depends on its type, size, and the area of ​​the brain it is in.

Surgery: If the tumor is located on the outside of the brain, this is the first choice. In this case, an attempt is made to remove the entire tumor through surgery.

If the tumor is deep in the brain or near a sensitive area, surgery to remove the entire tumor becomes risky and complicated. Removing a portion of the tumor can also help reduce the patient's symptoms. However, this procedure carries risks such as infection and bleeding during surgery.

Other risks may depend on the part of the brain. For example, there is a risk of vision loss if a tumor is near the optic nerve, which connects the eye to the brain.

Radiation therapy: Radiation therapy uses high-energy beams, such as X-rays or protons, to kill tumor cells. Radiation therapy can be given from outside the body.

EBRT beam therapy: This therapy uses focused radiation to destroy and inactivate tumors in that area of ​​the brain.

Whole brain radiation: This radiation is used to treat metastatic tumors (cancer that has spread to the brain from another part of the body).

Side effects of therapy

Side effects of this therapy depend on the amount and type of radiation the patient receives. Common side effects during or immediately after radiation therapy include fatigue, headache, memory loss, vomiting, scalp irritation, and hair loss.

Radiosurgery: Stereotactic radiosurgery is not surgery at all. Instead, radiosurgery uses high-energy beams of radiation to kill tumor cells in a small area. There are several different types of radiosurgery techniques used to treat brain tumors. For example, gamma knife or linear accelerator.

Radiosurgery is usually done in one go. The patient is sent home the same day after the procedure.

Chemotherapy

This involves the use of drugs to kill tumor cells. Chemotherapy drugs can be taken as pills or injected into a vein.

Medications

Temozolamide is one of the drugs used to treat brain tumors. Other chemotherapy drugs are used depending on the type of cancer. Side effects of chemotherapy can include nausea, vomiting, anemia, hair loss, tingling in the hands and feet, and redness of the skin.

Targeted drug therapy

Targeted drug therapy targets specific properties and characteristics of cancer cells. By affecting specific structures and cellular units, cancer cells can be controlled.

Targeted therapy drugs are available for certain types of brain tumors. Many others are being studied in clinical trials.

Rehabilitation after treatment

Different parts of the brain help with different functions. Such as hearing, seeing, moving arms and legs, speaking, getting up, sitting, etc. The part of the brain where the tumor is located cannot function properly. Therefore, the patient needs special exercises, training and skills.