Hello All, today we are going to have a look at What Is The Causes Of Brain Tumor Growth. Now, I recently wrote about prostate health in my article 9 Best Foods for Prostate Health. That scares me. The thought of getting Prostate Cancer, to me, is maybe one of my worst fears. However maybe just as much, or even more so is getting a Brain Tumor.
Probably the worst type of cancer anyone can get I think.
Many people die every year from Brain Tumors (1) and I wouldn’t wish this on anyone. So, I actually even feel scared writing this. Even having to think about this condition is unpleasant enough but what are the signs, and symptoms.
Plus more to the point What Is The Causes Of Brain Tumor Growth. Let’s dive in and see what we can discover.
What Is The Causes Of Brain Tumor Growth
So let’s start here…
What Is A Brain Tumor
The main thing to understand is our brains are made up of cells. Sometimes these cells go haywire and form into a cluster that becomes abnormal. This can be a very worrying event to happen because these clusters can also be cancerous.
When this happens it’s called a Brain Tumor.
There are lots of different types of tumors that can grow in the brain ? It is believed to be a figure of around 130 different types ?
Although, the two most common are called primary and secondary.
A primary tumor is formed inside the skull. In the actual area of the brain…
And a secondary type of Brain Tumor is formed in another part of the body and then spreads to the brain.
What Is The Causes Of Brain Tumor Growth
Different Types Of Brain Tumor
As mentioned above there are believed to be around 130 types of known types. I will not be looking to cover all 130 (too much) but below are just some of the different kinds;
Glioblastoma Multiforme
Astrocytomas are another type.
These are the most common CNS (Central Nervous System) tumors. They can grow anywhere in the brain or spinal cord, and they develop from small, star-shaped cells called astrocytes.
In adults, astrocytomas most often occur in the cerebrum, the largest part of the brain.
The cerebrum uses sensory information to tell us what’s going on around us. It controls how the body should respond, and also controls speech, movement, and emotions. As well as reading, thinking, and learning.
Brain Stem Gliomas are a type of astrocytoma that forms in the brain stem.
The Brain Stem controls many vital functions, such as body temperature, blood pressure, breathing, hunger, and thirst. It also transmits all the signals to the body from the brain. This is in the lowest part of the brain and connects the brain and spinal cord. Tumors in this area can be difficult to treat because of where they are located.
Most brain stem gliomas are high-grade astrocytomas.
Pituitary Tumors are lumps that form in the Pituitary Gland.
For anybody that doesn’t know the Pituitary Gland is is a small pea-sized gland that sits inside of the skull. It is located just below the brain and above the nasal passages. Its job is to produce hormones that control the levels of other hormones secreted by our endocrine glands. Throughout the body, it has an important role in controlling key body functions and the hormonal system.
Pituitary tumors make up between 9 and 12 % of all brain tumors.
The majority of pituitary tumors are called pituitary adenomas. These are normally benign growths that don’t spread beyond the skull area. These types of tumors are not cancerous, but they can cause other medical issues because they are located very near to the brain and this can make the pituitary gland produce an excess of hormones.
Pituitary cancers, called pituitary carcinomas, are very rare.
Medulloblastomas are very fast-growing brain tumors that develop from the neurons of the cerebellum.
The cerebellum controls movement, balance, and posture.
These tumors are usually found in children or young adults as opposed to older people.
What Is The Causes Of Brain Tumor Growth
Are They Malignant or Benign?
Cancerous tumors are called malignant and are considered to be very dangerous. A noncancerous tumor is called benign and is not as dangerous because it doesn’t have cancerous cells. Although it is still a problem because it’s a mass on the brain that should not be there. The mass grows bigger and causes pressure to build up which can cause you to have brain damage.
Brain Tumor Symptoms
The most common symptom is a headache which occurs when you are sleeping. It can be made worse by coughing or sneezing and also are more prominent in the morning when you have just woken up.
Other symptoms include:
- Being physically sick
- Blurry vision or double vision
- Changes in mental function
- Confusion
- Seizures, more likely in adults
- Weakness affecting your limbs or a part of your face
- Becoming clumsy
- Loss of memory
- Difficulty with writing and or reading
- Changes in the ability to hear, taste, or smell
- You can become less alert, which can include drowsiness and loss of consciousness
- Swallowing can become difficult to do
- Dizziness or vertigo symptoms
- Problems with your eyes, such as drooping eyelids or unequal pupils
- Movements you cannot control such as shaky hands
- Losing your balance
- No control of the bladder or bowel
- Numbness or tingling on one side of the body
- Trouble speaking or comprehending what people are saying to you
- Changes in personality, emotions, moods, and behavior
- Difficulty with walking
- Muscle weakness in the face, arms, or legs
Pituitary Tumor Symptoms
- Discharge from the nipples
- Lack of menstrual cycle (women)
- Development of breast tissue in men
- Sensitivity to heat or cold
- Enlarged hands and feet
- Increased amounts of body hair
- Low blood pressure
- Changes in vision, such as blurry vision or tunnel vision
- Obesity
What Is The Causes Of Brain Tumor Growth
How Brain Tumors Are Diagnosed
Your doctor will also look inside your eyes with an ophthalmoscope. This instrument shines a light through your pupils and onto your retinas. This allows the doctor to see how your pupils react to light.
It also allows your doctor to look directly into your eyes to see if there’s any swelling of the optic nerve. When the pressure inside the skull increases, it can cause changes to the optic nerve.
The doctor will also look at
- Your coordination
- How your memory functions
- Muscle strength
- Your ability to do mathematical sums
Your doctor may possibly do more tests after they finish the physical examination.
These could include:
A Biopsy
A small piece of the tumor is removed during a biopsy. A specialist called a neuropathologist will then take look at it under a microscope. The biopsy will say if the tumor cells are benign or malignant. It will also determine whether the cancer started in your brain or from another part of your body.
An Angiography
This procedure uses a colored dye that’s injected into your artery. Generally in the groin region. This dye then travels through the arteries into your brain. Which allows the doctor to see what the blood supply of the tumors looks like.
This information is then used if you later have surgery.
A CT Scan
CT scans are ways for the doctor to get a more detailed picture of your body than they could with an X-ray machine. This can be done with or without contrast.
Note: Contrast is a dye that helps to see blood vessels more clearly.
X-rays of the Skull
Some Brain tumors can get very big and they can cause fractures in the bones of the skull?. Specific X-rays can show if this has happened. These can also see calcium deposits, which are sometimes found inside a tumor.
Calcium deposits may also be found in your bloodstream if your cancer has moved to your bones.
MRI
If, you have an MRI scan carried out on your head, a special dye is used to help the doctor to identify any tumors that may be present. An MRI is different from a CT scan because it does not use radiation, and it usually provides a much more detailed picture of the structure of the brain itself.
Available Treatments
The treatment of a brain tumor depends on:
- The type of tumor and where it is found
- Size and shape of the tumor
- Your overall health
The most common treatment for a malignant brain tumor is a surgical procedure. The aim is to remove as much of the tumor as possible, and without causing damage to the healthy parts of the brain.
The location of some tumors makes for easy and safe removal. Whilst other tumors can be in an area that makes this very difficult. However, in any case, even if the surgeon can only extract just some of the cancerous cells it can still be good.
As it can still have many benefits for the sufferer.
Like any surgery though, there are risks involved. These include infections and bleeding.
Benign tumors are also removed surgically.
Metastatic brain tumors are treated according to guidelines for the type of original cancer.
Surgery can also be combined with other treatments, such as chemo and radiation therapy.
Prognosis
The outlook for a brain tumor will depend on:
- The type and size of the tumor
- Where it’s located
- Your overall health
Early treatment can change your chance of survival drastically. It can also prevent complications that could occur as the tumor grows and puts pressure on the brain tissue, as well as your skull.
Please visit a doctor if you are worried about any of the above symptoms.
My Final Thoughts
You are more likely to get a brain tumor the older you become.
It’s possible to be diagnosed as early as in your 20’s. They are most commonly found in Caucasians (white people).
Speak to a doctor if people in your family have been diagnosed. As, unfortunately, this can be hereditary.
Remember prevention is always better than the cure.
Look after your health because it is important
Take great care of yourself. To your Good Health ?
Alex C
Please note: This post is for information purposes only and is not intended to diagnose or treat you. If, you have a medical condition make sure you consult a medical professional.
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Wow. I did not know there where so many different types of brain tumors.It was almost painful reading through the different types! Do you need to have all or most of the symptoms to get diagnosed? Or just a couple? I am wondering if you could get an MRI just for a wellness check up.
Thank you very much for the comments. To answer your questions. No you don’t need to have all of the symptoms to get diagnosed. I don’t think you could get an MRI wellness check unless you paid for it.
Lisa
Hello there, The exact cause of brain cancer is unknown. However, factors that can increase your risk of brain cancer include exposure to high doses of ionizing radiation and a family history of brain cancer. Cancer in another part of your body is also a risk factor.Thanks anyway for sharing this awesome article.
Thank you very much for the comment.
Brain tumors are very dangerous and one minute you can be okay and the next you can be in serious trouble. Take the symptoms seriously.
Hello there! this is an amazing review you have got here. I am sure these quality informations in this post will be of great help to anyone who come across it. Thank you very much for sharing this with me, I have already saved this post so I can show to my husband who is a doctor, He will be happy for this infos.
Hello Joy,
I appreciate the time you have taken to read this article and leave me a comment.
Thank you.
Lisa
Hello Alex.
Very grim topic but it needs to be addressed. I seen somewhere once that there is a link between brain tumors and people who did not have chicken pox as a child.
Hi Chris, Yes grim indeed. I never heard this about chickenpox only that it is better to have chickenpox as a child. Apparently, because it can be more dangerous to get as an adult. Not sure if this has something to do with it but would make sense I guess.