A Brain Tumor is Different From Healthy
A brain tumor is different from healthy brain tissue because it increases the cells grow and proliferate. Developed from the brain tumor cells, then one speaks of a primary brain tumor. On the other hand, refers to Tochtergeschwülste (metastasis) from other tumors that are only in the brain migrate, as secondary brain tumors. Doctors also distinguish between benign (benign) and malignant (malignant) brain tumors.
There is an important aspect of the tumors in the brain differs from other tumors: The brain is embedded in the solid bony skull and has hardly any alternatives. The pressure in the very brain tissue pressure rises with each tumor growth slightly. Therefore, even benign tumors, only the crowd grow and not in other organs absiedeln, lead to serious damage and even brain tumors (Engl. brain tumor)
Brain tumors are rare malignant diseases of the brain. There are two types of brain tumors. The primary brain tumors are formed from different cell types of the brain (eg Neuroepithel, ganglion cells, meninges, nerve sheaths, or pituitary tissue), secondary brain tumors are metastases (= Tochtergeschwülste) from other organs or go from the brain from surrounding bone. Since the cells that make up a brain tumor can form very differently, there are also different types of tumors (gliomas, Meningeome, Hypophysenadenom and neurinomas). The aggressiveness of the tumor depends on what cells it is formed. His chances of cure depend on the tumor and the exact localization from.
The proportion of all brain tumors in the population of tumors is 7 -9%. Men are from the disease slightly more often affected than women. Brain tumors come at any age, but there are a disease incidence between the 3rd to 12 Age and the 40th to 70 Year of life.
What are the causes?
The exact causes for the emergence of a brain tumor are unclear. Discusses genetic and hormonal factors, and oncogenic viruses (= tumor virus), exogenous carcinogens (coming from the outside, kreberzeugende material) and brain injuries.
What are the symptoms of brain tumors?
The complaints arise will depend on the size, growth rate and the localization of the tumor from. However, the complaints do not always translate directly to the disease out.
The most common symptoms include:
* Headache, which begin at night and in the course of the day improved;
* Nausea and vomiting sudden strong;
* Dizziness;
* Decrease in performance;
* Failure phenomena such as coordination disorders, visual, speech and hearing, paralysis;
* Confusion and forgetfulness;
* Personality changes;
* Hormonal disorders;
* Epileptic seizures.
Which diagnostic procedures are performed?
The diagnostic procedure used to the situation, spread, tumors and the degree of disorder observed. After definition of the WHO (World Health Organization), there are four degrees of the disease. Grade I tumors grow very slowly and are considered to be benign (benign) tumors described. Grade II tumors grow slightly faster, but still a semi-benign (semibenigne) views. Grade III tumors from spreading quickly in the brain and are malignant. The most aggressive tumors grow very fast (Grade IV).
The following investigations can be used for an accurate diagnosis be used:
* The localization and often the tumor can be performed using computed tomography (CT) of the head or magnetic resonance imaging can be determined.
* If the tumor after this investigation is not clearly identifiable, it may be necessary, a tissue sample (stereotactic biopsy) for details.
* Whether the cancer has also affected blood vessels, can be used with the digital Subtraktionsangiographie detected.
* For the treatment planning can be the measurement of brain waves (EEG) makes sense.
* To control the spread of the tumor to determine a sampling of CSF (cerebral spinal fluid) via lumbar puncture necessary. A sample of this fluid with a needle in the lumbar area of the flow.
* Blood tests to determine specific tumor markers provide information about the course of the disease.
What treatments are used?
The treatments depend on the tumor, the localization and the aggressiveness of the tumor (tumor grade). A certain influence is also the age of the patients. For many tumor types, a complete surgical removal of the tumor sought. However, it may happen that the tumor in an unfavorable position or in the important parts of the brain is hineingewachsen. Even a complete removal of multiple tumors is usually not feasible. Then he will just as much tumor tissue as possible removed, but also to increase the chances of a cure contribute. Growing tumor after surgery, so the radiation and chemotherapy are used. Certain tumors of the pituitary gland, so called Hypophysenadenom, may also be hormonally treated.
What are the chances of cure?
Generally, the earlier a tumor is detected and treated, the better the chances of a cure. Crucial to the prognosis but also the degree of aggressiveness, the origin of the tumor, the quality of treatment and the health status and the age of the patients. Thus, the life expectancy for tumors of grade I is not less than the normal population. One limitation of the quality of life, for example in the form of reduced performance is possible. For tumors of grade II cure 50 to 80%. The disease progression in patients with grade III tumors are very different. If a tumor is of Grade IV, it is the 5-year survival rate five percent.
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