Brain Tumor: Symptoms, Causes & Risk Factors, Complications, Diagnosis, Treatment & Prevention

Medically Reviewed by Checkmark Medically Reviewed By: Dr. Sravanthi Sunkaraneni
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Last Updated on May 5, 2023 by Shabnam Sengupta

According to a report, about 700,000 people in the U.S. have primary brain tumors, and this number will increase by nearly 88,000 by the end of 2022 across all the genders, races, ethnicities and ages. Brain tumors can be fatal, and a lot of people lose their lives due to this disease.

Introduction

A brain tumor occurs due to the multiplication and collection of abnormal cells in the brain that may form a mass. This can be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous).

The brain is protected by a tough and rigid bony skull. When abnormal cells form masses, the pressure inside the skull increases as the masses grow in size. This results in damage to the normal parts of the brain that can sometimes be fatal.

Before they are diagnosed as tumors, these abnormal growths of cells are called lesions. Any abnormality in the brain (or the body) is called a lesion but not all lesions are tumors. After further tests and procedures, they are identified as tumors.

Treatment for brain tumors varies depending on the type, size and site of occurrence of the tumors.

One third of all brain tumors are malignant. Both benign and malignant brain tumors can be dangerous. The benign tumors can press on the normal brain and damage it or press on blood vessels and block them. This can have dire consequences. The malignant tumors can damage the surrounding brain tissue directly.

Grades of brain tumor

Tumors of the brain can be classified into 4 grades based on their aggressiveness. The higher the grade, the more aggressive the tumor.

  1. Grade I: These tumors are benign. These cells resemble normal brain cells and are the least aggressive.
  2. Grade II: These tumors are also benign, but they might recur after treatment.
  3. Grade III: These tumors are malignant, grow quickly and are more aggressive than Grade I and Grade II.
  4. Grade IV: These tumors are the most aggressive and grow faster than their arteries can grow. Therefore, parts of the tumor die due to lack of blood supply.

Symptoms

Some people with a brain tumor have no symptoms and the tumor might be detected while investigating another condition. In other cases, patients may have:

  1. Symptoms due to compression of neighboring arteries and nerves with the tumor.
  2. Headaches that appear in the morning and disappear after vomiting.
  3. Changes in personality or behavioral changes
  4. Lack of balance or coordination
  5. Inability to concentrate
  6. Numbness, tingling or weakness in side or part of the body or face
  7. Hearing, vision or speech issues
  8. Seizures

Causes

  1. Like most tumors, brain tumors are also caused by damage or alterations to genetic material (mutations), which can be caused due to exposure to certain chemicals or to ionizing radiation.
  2. The damage leads to uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the brain leading to formation of tumors.

Risk factors

  1. Age: Most brain tumors occur in children and in old individuals above the age of 65. The greatest risk of brain tumors is in between ages 85 and 89.
  2. Gender: In all age groups, men are generally at a greater risk of developing brain tumors than women. Meningioma, the commonest brain tumor, is more common in women than in men.
  3. Workplace and home exposures: Exposure to solvents, insecticides, oil products, rubber and vinyl chloride have all been linked to brain tumors.
  4. Genetic factors: Brain tumors that run in the family are usually a part of a larger disease or syndrome such as those seen in Neurofibromatosis types 1 and 2, tuberous sclerosis and basal cell carcinoma syndrome.
  5. Viral infections: The Epstein-Barr virus infection is known to increase the risk of CNS lymphoma, especially seen in infection with AIDS
  6. Electromagnetic radiation: Majority of the research shows that electromagnetic radiation from phone lines and cell phone use has no link to brain tumor development.
  7. Ethnicity and race: Caucasians are at greater risk of developing brain tumors than people of other races or ethnicities.
  8. Ionizing radiation: Ionizing radiation such as X-rays has been linked to increased risk of brain tumors.

Complications

Several complications occur in people with brain tumors and can be due to the tumor itself or due to the treatment provided for it. Some of the complications are:

  1. Thinking difficulties
  2. Difficulty in communication
  3. Loss of touch, pressure or heat/cold sensations
  4. Weakness or paralysis of a part of the body
  5. Vision or hearing loss or loss of smell
  6. Abnormal or delayed growth in children

Diagnosis

Some tests can be performed to diagnose brain tumors:

  1. Physical examination and medical history: Your doctor will conduct a general health examination to look for indicators of sickness. Your doctor will also inquire about past and present medical issues, surgeries and medical treatments, and disease in your family.
  2. Biopsy: A doctor uses a needle to take a sample of tissue from the tumor through a small hole in the skull. The sample is examined in a lab to determine details about the tumor, such as how rapidly it is growing and how abnormal the cells are and the tumor is graded.
  3. Imaging tests: CT scans, MRIs, SPECT scans, and PET scans aid doctors in locating tumors and determining whether they are malignant or benign. Other regions of the body, such as the lungs, intestines, or breasts, may be examined by the doctor.
  4. Neurological exam: Your doctor will examine your balance, coordination, mental status, hearing, vision, and reflexes during a neurological exam. These alterations could help locate the region of the tumor based on the defects noted in the body’s functioning.
  5. Spinal tap: A doctor uses a tiny needle to retrieve fluid from around the spine in a spinal tap. This fluid is examined in a laboratory for cancer cells, which can suggest the presence of a malignant tumor in the central nervous system.

Treatment

Treatment depends on the site and type of the brain tumor.

  1. Surgery: If it is feasible, surgeons attempt to remove the tumor surgically. This is done very cautiously in order to cause no damage to the normal brain. This surgery is sometimes performed while the patient is conscious.
  2. Radiation therapy: High doses of radiation are used to kill brain tumor cells in order to shrink the brain tumor. This can be performed before surgery to decrease the size of the tumor.
  3. Chemotherapy: Anti-cancer medications can be used to treat the brain tumor. This can be used before or after surgical treatment.

Prevention

Other than radiation exposure, there have been no lifestyle or environmental factors found with a definitive link to brain tumors. Though alcohol and smoking have been implicated in the development of cancer, no link has been found between these lifestyle habits and brain tumors. Prevention is limited to maintaining a healthy diet consisting of fruits and vegetables and adequate Vitamin A and C.

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Last Updated on May 5, 2023 by Shabnam Sengupta

Disclaimer: Medical Science is an ever evolving field. We strive to keep this page updated. In case you notice any discrepancy in the content, please inform us at [email protected]. You can futher read our Correction Policy here. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment because of something you have read on or accessed through this website or it's social media channels. Read our Full Disclaimer Here for further information.

Last Updated on May 5, 2023 by Shabnam Sengupta

Disclaimer: Medical Science is an ever evolving field. We strive to keep this page updated. In case you notice any discrepancy in the content, please inform us at [email protected]. You can futher read our Correction Policy here. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment because of something you have read on or accessed through this website or it's social media channels. Read our Full Disclaimer Here for further information.

Last Updated on May 5, 2023 by Shabnam Sengupta

Disclaimer: Medical Science is an ever evolving field. We strive to keep this page updated. In case you notice any discrepancy in the content, please inform us at [email protected]. You can futher read our Correction Policy here. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment because of something you have read on or accessed through this website or it's social media channels. Read our Full Disclaimer Here for further information.

Last Updated on May 5, 2023 by Shabnam Sengupta

Disclaimer: Medical Science is an ever evolving field. We strive to keep this page updated. In case you notice any discrepancy in the content, please inform us at [email protected]. You can futher read our Correction Policy here. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment because of something you have read on or accessed through this website or it's social media channels. Read our Full Disclaimer Here for further information.

Last Updated on May 5, 2023 by Shabnam Sengupta

Disclaimer: Medical Science is an ever evolving field. We strive to keep this page updated. In case you notice any discrepancy in the content, please inform us at [email protected]. You can futher read our Correction Policy here. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment because of something you have read on or accessed through this website or it's social media channels. Read our Full Disclaimer Here for further information.

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Last Updated on May 5, 2023 by Shabnam Sengupta

Disclaimer: Medical Science is an ever evolving field. We strive to keep this page updated. In case you notice any discrepancy in the content, please inform us at [email protected]. You can futher read our Correction Policy here. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment because of something you have read on or accessed through this website or it's social media channels. Read our Full Disclaimer Here for further information.

Last Updated on May 5, 2023 by Shabnam Sengupta

Disclaimer: Medical Science is an ever evolving field. We strive to keep this page updated. In case you notice any discrepancy in the content, please inform us at [email protected]. You can futher read our Correction Policy here. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment because of something you have read on or accessed through this website or it's social media channels. Read our Full Disclaimer Here for further information.

Last Updated on May 5, 2023 by Shabnam Sengupta

Disclaimer: Medical Science is an ever evolving field. We strive to keep this page updated. In case you notice any discrepancy in the content, please inform us at [email protected]. You can futher read our Correction Policy here. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment because of something you have read on or accessed through this website or it's social media channels. Read our Full Disclaimer Here for further information.

Last Updated on May 5, 2023 by Shabnam Sengupta

Disclaimer: Medical Science is an ever evolving field. We strive to keep this page updated. In case you notice any discrepancy in the content, please inform us at [email protected]. You can futher read our Correction Policy here. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment because of something you have read on or accessed through this website or it's social media channels. Read our Full Disclaimer Here for further information.

Last Updated on May 5, 2023 by Shabnam Sengupta

Disclaimer: Medical Science is an ever evolving field. We strive to keep this page updated. In case you notice any discrepancy in the content, please inform us at [email protected]. You can futher read our Correction Policy here. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment because of something you have read on or accessed through this website or it's social media channels. Read our Full Disclaimer Here for further information.

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