What is a Brain Tumor?
A tumor, in other words, a mass, is defined as a tissue that occurs in a place where it should not be in the body, or an uncontrolled growth of a tissue where it should not be. The situation may be slightly different in brain tumors. Tumors that are called benign can also be lethal because they are located in a closed place in the skull. For this reason, brain tumors should be kept under control, even if not all of them are lethal. Intervention should also be done meticulously and carefully.
What are the symptoms of a brain tumor? Brain tumor symptoms are of great importance for diagnosis and treatment. When tumors reach a certain size, regardless of being benign or malignant, this causes an increased intracranial pressure. As a result, they can cause physical pressure on the brain and they apply thrust. They can interfere with brain tissue and nerves and cause functional disorders. With the increased intracranial pressure, some symptoms appear. Symptoms of the brain tumors include headache, apathy, slowness of movement, vomiting, nausea, epileptic seizures, personality disorders, deterioration in some of our abilities, and feeling of weakness in some parts of the body depending on the region where the tumor is positioned. Hormonal disorders and clinical symptoms can be shown consequently as another symptom. For example, in early adolescence, it is necessary to pay attention to issues such as hyperthyroidism, growth in the hands and feet, cortisol imbalance and menstrual cycle disorders. Even if you notice any of the symptoms of a brain tumor, which is a serious disease, you should definitely consult your doctor.
Why and how does a brain tumor occur? There are two important factors in the formation of brain tumors. One of them is the formation of the tumor from the own cells of the brain, and the other is the tumor that spreads to the brain from other regions. If the mass is formed by the brain’s own cells, it is examined in two groups as benign or malignant. The incidence of brain tumor has been reported as 3-5 per 100,000 people. The incidence is higher in men than in women. Generally, the incidence of benign meningioma is higher in women. There is no specified age range, so brain tumor can be seen at any age. However, the characteristics of the tumor may vary depending on age. For example, malignant tumors are usually seen in children or individuals over the age of 60. Although the exact cause of brain tumor is still unknown, family history is an important one. Apart from this, Caucasian race, male gender and exposure to radiation are among the major risk factors. Cell phone use is also thought to affect brain tumors.
Types of brain tumors: Brain tumors are divided into two main groups as primary brain tumors and secondary brain tumors. Primary brain tumors arise from the brain’s own cells. These tumors are examined in two subgroups as benign and malignant. Secondary brain tumors are cancerous cells that arise in different parts of the body and spread to the brain.
Benign brain masses do not originate from brain cells. These benign masses, which have a very slow reproductive rate, can be easily distinguished from the brain tissue. In this way, all or almost all of the benign tumors can be surgically removed. Operations performed on benign tumors usually have good results. The recurrence rate of the removal benign tumors is quite low. There is no spread to different parts of the body. Even though the tumors aforementioned are benign, they can have negative consequences after they reach a certain size due to the intracranial pressure. Benign tumors can turn into malignant tumors over time. For this reason, diagnosis and early treatment are important.
Malignant tumors grow faster than benign tumors. They damage the surrounding tissues. For this reason, it is very difficult to remove all of them by operation. Because in malignant brain tumor cases, the tissues that become tumor are the functional parts of the brain and every removal tissue means functional weakening. There may be recurrence after the malignant tumor operations. Metastatic tumors that spread to different parts of our body are also considered as malignant.
How is a brain tumor diagnosed? With the technological progress, examinations are now easier to do. A fully equipped health center plays a major role in both diagnosis and treatment. In the diagnosis of brain tumor, MR device is used first. In this way, a rough idea about the tumor is formed. Then, with the pathological examination, it becomes clear whether there is a brain tumor or not. Detailed features of the brain tumor can be obtained with advanced radiological examinations. This is very important for the treatment planning. Magnetic resonance imaging is the primary imaging method for brain tissue and diseases. With new technologies, detailed information about the lesion can be obtained.
How is the treatment of brain tumor? With the technological progress in health, one of the most important parts of the treatment is the possibility of personalized treatment. The aim of the treatment applied to brain tumor is to fight it without reducing the life quality of the patient and to prolong the lifespan of the patient as much as possible. The most important issues in surgical intervention are the type of tumor, the region where it is positioned, the age of the patient, additional problems and general condition. For all these reasons, a personalized treatment plan is made. The chances of success are much higher in personalized treatments. In addition to surgical intervention, chemotherapy or radiotherapy, or a combination treatment including both are used.
Brain biopsy is performed for tumors positioned in regions that cannot be removed by surgical operation. This method is performed when more information is needed about the tumor that is placed in deep and that does not cause the intracranial pressure, and we need to determine how the treatment should be performed.
Another method used in the treatment of brain tumors is microsurgery. This method is used for complete removal of the tumor. With this method, the intracranial pressure is reduced and the effects of the tumor are minimized. However, if the tumor is in an important region of the brain, this method ensures that the region is not damaged and minimizes the risks. For this reason, it is very important to use advanced technologies in the treatment of brain tumors.
With neuronavigation, the most accurate orientation for the tumor is determined before surgery. With neuromonitorization, it helps to prevent paralysis that may occur after surgery. Intraoperative ultrasonography, endoscopy, gliolan staining technique, awake craniotomy, intraoperative CT are some of the methods used in brain tumor treatment.
In brain tumor disease, some functions may be weakened before and after the operation due to the position of the tumor. It is recommended that the patient should be applied physical therapy and rehabilitation practices after the surgery. In addition, psychological support should be sought, as it may adversely affect mental health. After brain tumor surgery, the care shown to the patients should be at the highest level and the patients should pay special attention to themselves.
If you also have the symptoms mentioned above, you should apply to our clinic.