Brain cancer: symptoms, causes, stages, reviews

Despite the great success of medicine in the treatment of cancer, the diagnosis of cancer for most patients sounds like a sentence. The most important with such pathologies is detection in the first stages and effective therapy. Symptoms of brain cancer do not always appear immediately, which makes diagnosis difficult. Not all neoplasms in the brain can lead to a tragic outcome.

What is brain cancer?

This is the appearance of malignant tumors in the tissues of the brain. Pathology is rare, but it poses a great danger, since there are many difficulties not only with diagnosis, but also with the choice of treatment tactics.

The tumor gradually grows, its cells begin to separate and settle in other parts of the brain.

It is important not to miss the first symptoms of brain cancer, only in this case the patient has a chance to survive.

Reasons for the development of brain oncology in adults

It is impossible to name the causes of the formation of malignant tumors in the brain with confidence, so doctors only name predisposing factors that can increase the likelihood of cancer. These include:

1. Hereditary predisposition. It is believed that if someone has had oncology in generations, then the likelihood of developing cancer increases.
2. Exposure to radiation. The risk group includes employees of chemical laboratories, research stations.
   
3. The effect on the brain tissue of chemical compounds, for example mercury, lead, vinyl chloride. Employees at chemical plants, such as plastics, are at risk.
4. The presence of bad habits. The ingestion of large amounts of nicotine and alcohol leads to mutations in normal cells, which can provoke the development of cancers.
5. Symptoms of brain cancer can be caused by HIV.
6. Genetic diseases: Gorlin syndrome, tuberculous sclerosis, abnormalities in the APC gene.
7. Long and uncontrolled treatment with antibacterial agents.
8. Weakened immunity, especially after organ transplantation.
9. Secondary tumors in the brain can develop against the background of metastases in other organs. Cancer cells with blood flow spread throughout the body and settle in the brain tissue, giving rise to a malignant tumor.

If we consider cancer by gender, then women are affected by the pathology more often than men.

Causes of Cancer in Children

Most experts are sure that the symptoms of brain cancer in children most often begin to appear if the immune system can not cope with the negative effects of carcinogens. Do not neglect the hereditary factor.

Risk factors for developing brain oncology in childhood include:

• Different types of radiation: radiation, ultraviolet, ionizing.
• Exposure to harmful substances: arsenic, chromium.
• Vinyl chloride, which is often used in the manufacture of plastics, and children's toys can be made from them.
• Sugar substitutes, such as aspartame.
• The effect of herbicides and pesticides.
• Recently, more and more began to talk about the effects of electromagnetic fields coming from mobile phones.
• Permanent presence on the table of smoked meats.
• Intrauterine malformations.
• Finding viruses in the body.
• Infectious pathologies of a woman during the bearing of a child.
• Alcohol and smoking abuse during pregnancy.

In children, malignant brain tumors occupy the 2nd place among cancerous pathologies.

Frequency in childhood

In children, oncological neoplasms of the brain are more common than spinal. If we take the age category up to 15 years, then for 30 thousand one child is ill with brain cancer. If in adults, neoplasms are most often localized in the shells of the brain, then in children the trunk and cerebellum are affected.

By age, a brain tumor is distributed as follows:

• Most often, such a diagnosis is in children aged 10 to 14 years.
• Much less often - from 5 to 9.
• In children under 4 years old, the pathology is diagnosed even less often.

According to statistics, symptoms of brain cancer are more likely to occur in boys of 10 years of age. For indicators of the disease, the environmental situation in the region, the equipping of medical institutions with equipment for early diagnosis, and the preparedness of doctors in the fight against cancer in children are of no small importance.

Features of brain oncology in children

The brain is the focal point that regulates the work of the whole organism. Each department has its own tasks and functions. The appearance of a neoplasm in any part cannot pass without a trace, but in children cancer has its own characteristics:

1. It proceeds more aggressively.
2. It is located more often in the central line and in the cranial fossa.
3. It can capture several shares at once.
4. Most often, primary tumors develop, but there are cases of penetration of metastases from other foci.

Types of tumors in children

In children, benign tumors are often found in the brain. They are much better amenable to therapy, do not form metastases, but there is a danger of their degeneration into malignant, therefore removal is required.

Specialists distinguish the following types of neoplasms in the brain in children:

• Shells develop from the meninges. This includes meningiomas. They are benign, but require careful attention.
• Neuroepithelial. Begin their development from the brain tissue. Found in 70% of cases. There are not only benign, but also cancerous.
• Dysembryogenetic tumors. They begin to develop in the period of intrauterine development. The cerebellum is often affected, metastases spread through the cerebrospinal fluid system.
• Pituitary tumors. They are characterized by slow growth, most often of a benign nature, except for adenocarcinoma.
• Tumors from hematopoietic tissue.
• Metastatic neoplasms: carcinoma, chordoma.
• There are tumors of mixed nature.

The prognosis for recovery and the choice of treatment tactics will depend on the type of tumor.

Symptoms and stages of brain cancer

The disease proceeds, changing several stages. How to recognize brain cancer, the symptoms are constantly changing depending on the stage of development of the pathology. They become most pronounced in the last stages of the development of the disease. The following stages of brain cancer are distinguished:

1. First one. It is considered less dangerous, since the number of cancer cells is small. If there are signs of oncology at this stage, then surgical removal gives good results. But most often the disease is not detected at this stage, as a slight dizziness, headaches are attributed to other problems.
   
2. The second degree is characterized by the growth of a tumor, which begins to invade other brain tissues. If surgical removal of the neoplasm is performed, the outcome is most often favorable. Symptoms of brain cancer at this stage are triggered by low blood pressure.
3. The third degree is manifested by accelerated growth of cancer cells. They begin to displace healthy ones. Even the operation will not give good results, it is already impossible to cure the pathology. Drug therapy only alleviates the condition of the patient.
4. The fourth degree is characterized by large-scale growth of the tumor. To save a person is already impossible.

One can save a person’s life if brain cancer is detected at an early stage of development, otherwise it remains only with the help of drugs to maintain a normal existence.

Signs of Early Cancer

The initial symptoms of brain cancer are almost the same, regardless of the type of pathology. Most often, a person does not suspect that unpleasant manifestations are the first alarming calls of oncology.

The first symptoms of brain cancer in women are as follows:

1. Headache. This symptom is not uncommon for a modern person, but in the case of cancer, they are more often disturbed after awakening, and then pass away. Often a headache appears after a change in body position.
   
2. Against the background of a headache, there may be vomiting, double vision, weakness.
3. Dizziness. With the development of brain cancer, such symptoms in women can be observed for no reason. Usually frequent dizziness occurs if the cancer is located near the cerebellum.
4. Sharp weight loss is another symptom in adult brain cancer. The tumor greatly depletes the body, as cancer cells infect healthy cells and disrupt the course of all metabolic processes.
5. Fever. It always arises, since this is a normal reaction of the immune system to the invasion of malignant cells. The body is trying its best to fight them.
6. Great tiredness. Even a small load provokes fatigue. This can be explained by the fact that cancer cells secrete metabolic products that poison the entire body. If the vascular system is affected, then anemia develops.
7. The first symptom of brain cancer is vomiting, especially in the morning. As the pathology progresses, it is observed at any time, even in the middle of the night.

If you do not pay attention to unpleasant symptoms and do not visit a doctor for consultation and examination, then the cancerous tumor progresses and causes already more serious manifestations.

Focal Cancer Symptoms

All symptoms can be divided into cerebral and focal. The first shows its signs regardless of the location of the tumor, which can not be said about the second type.

Focal manifestations will depend on which part of the brain is affected by a cancerous tumor, for which it is responsible: for speech, memory, thinking.

Among the focal symptoms of brain cancer at an early stage, one can observe:

• Complete or partial loss of mobility of certain parts of the body.
• Loss or decrease in sensitivity of limbs.
• External factors are distorted.
• Character change. A calm person suddenly becomes irritable, quick-tempered, or the patient ceases to worry about what was previously of interest.
• Impulsive behavior.
• Losing control of an empty bladder.

Gradually, the first symptoms of brain cancer in women or men are replaced by more serious symptoms, as the tumor grows and makes itself heard louder. At later stages, the following is observed:

• If the tumor presses on the optic nerve, then first flies appear in the eyes, and then loss of vision due to the death of the optic nerve. To restore such a complication is almost impossible.
• A symptom of brain cancer with pressure on the auditory nerve is hearing impairment.
• In the second and third stages, epileptic seizures often appear. It is dangerous to leave them unattended; an urgent need to see a doctor.
• With the development of adenomatous neoplasms, hormonal disorders are observed. In women, the symptoms of brain cancer in this case resemble any manifestations of hormonal failure.
• The development of a tumor in the stem part of the brain leads to disruption of the swallowing process, respiration, the sense of smell and taste are disturbed.
• A neoplasm in the temporal zone often provokes hallucinations. This symptom of brain cancer in the photo is well demonstrated.
• A tumor in the occipital region disturbs color perception.

With the progression of the tumor and the formation of metastases, the symptoms of brain cancer are aggravated, several manifestations are observed at the same time, the person's condition worsens sharply. Without medical assistance, the patient will not live long.

How to recognize brain oncology in children

Symptoms of brain cancer in infants in the early stages are practically not manifested. This can be explained by the fact that the bones of the skull are soft, and the fontanel did not close. The tumor does not exert strong pressure on the brain tissue. Up to three years, cancer can be suspected by the following symptoms:

• The head is increasing in size.
• The fontanel does not overgrow.
• Veins are clearly visible on the forehead.

According to reviews, the symptoms of brain cancer in children initially manifest cerebral, which are associated with increased intracranial pressure, a violation of the outflow of cerebrospinal fluid, cerebral edema.

Given the characteristics of physiology and age, in children edema spreads faster and has an extensive character. Symptoms include:

• Parents are the first to report emotional distress. The child is naughty, cries a lot, becomes lethargic and uncommunicative. At the same time, disruptions in the work of the cardiovascular system and digestive system are observed.
• One of the main symptoms of early stage brain cancer is vomiting and headache, which are most often observed in the morning. A child may complain that pain is aggravated by a change in body position, during coughing or sneezing. With the progression of the tumor, the headache accompanies constantly.
• Epileptic seizures. Sometimes this symptom is the only sign of brain cancer.
• In young children, one of the symptoms may be a discrepancy between the bones of the skull.

Considering the structural features of the skull in children, cerebral symptoms are not very characteristic up to the age of five.

The focal manifestations that are caused by ischemia on the background of vascular compression can differ significantly in small patients.

Features of manifestations depending on the location of the tumor

Symptoms of brain cancer in men, women and children may differ depending on the location of the malignant formation:

• Cancer in the cerebellum. When a neoplasm appears in this area, the patient complains of headaches in the back of the head, in which there may be vomiting. They appear suddenly, intensifying with sudden movements. Loss of consciousness, increased pressure, and heart rhythm disturbance may occur. Symptoms quickly increase, coordination of movements is disturbed, muscle tone decreases, involuntary movements of the eyeballs can be observed.
• If the tumor develops in the trunk, then the first manifestations are a violation of the clarity of vision, hearing acuity and paralysis of the limbs.
• A neoplasm in the frontal lobe provokes changes in behavior. If it comes to children, then they become uncontrollable, attention and memory are reduced. In adults, paresis of the facial muscles develops.
• Epileptic seizures and impaired motor function are observed if the tumor is located in the region of the central gyrus.
• A neoplasm in the temporal zone causes seizures and severe headaches.
• A cancerous tumor in the parietal zone may not manifest itself for a long time. In adults, the first symptom is a violation of sensitivity.
• Visual centers are located in the occipital area, therefore, a tumor in this place causes visual disturbances, up to hallucinations.
• A tumor near the pituitary gland causes abnormalities in the endocrine sphere.

If any suspicious symptoms appear that start to bother with enviable regularity, you should not delay a visit to the doctor.

Diagnosis of the disease

How to identify brain cancer? Symptoms often resemble other diseases. To exclude or confirm oncology, it is important to consult a doctor in a short time. Diagnosis of pathology is as follows:

1. First of all, the specialist examines the patient and conducts a conversation with him, during which he finds out the time of the onset of symptoms, their severity, and features. Also, the doctor using special techniques determines motor disorders, tactile, coordination problems. Tendon reflexes are checked.
2. The patient is referred for MRI. The procedure is carried out with a contrast agent in order to recognize as accurately as possible not only the cancerous growth, but also its localization, size.
3. Puncture is performed to detect cancer cells, to study the degree of change in brain tissue. If the tumor is located in an inaccessible place, then puncture is problematic.
4. Radiography shows the location of the tumor.
5. Craniography makes it possible to detect changes in the bones of the skull in the form of a layer of calcium, which is caused by a malignant process.
6. Magnetoencephalography shows abnormalities in the functioning of the brain.

After confirming the diagnosis, the doctor chooses the treatment tactics, which also depends on the malignancy of the tumor.

Tumor grade

Not every cancerous tumor poses a serious danger to the patient's life. It all depends on her aggressiveness. Allocate:

1. Tumors of malignancy 1 and 2 degrees. Such neoplasms are not so aggressive and differ little from benign. Treatment often involves surgical removal, an irradiation course after surgery, and the result is a favorable prognosis.
2. Tumors of the 3rd and 4th degree of aggressiveness are dangerous in that they can give metastases, are more difficult to treat, relapses are frequent.

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Oncologists are usually involved in the treatment of cancer pathologies, but the help of other specialists is also required. When it comes to brain cancer, a radiologist and a neurosurgeon, a therapist and a neuropathologist, an oncologist and a rehabilitologist interact with each other.

The tactics of treatment depend on several factors:

• The age of the patient.
• Localization of the tumor.
• Its size.
• Stage of the disease.
• Aggression of the neoplasm.
• The general health of the patient.

To get rid of a tumor in the brain, apply:

1. Surgical intervention. Maximum efficiency is achieved at stages 1-2 of the disease; at subsequent stages, it makes no sense.
2. Radiation therapy. Carried out if surgery is not possible or after surgery. The dose of radiation is always selected for each patient individually. A point effect is carried out in order to affect healthy neighboring tissues as little as possible.
3. Radiotherapy
4. Chemotherapy It is least often used in the treatment of brain cancer, given the negative impact on the whole body and especially on the blood forming organs and the immune system.

Brain surgery is dangerous and traumatic, but more often than not, it can only save the patient’s life, of course, if he came to the doctor at an early stage of cancer. Among the possible complications of surgical intervention are:

• Swelling of brain tissue.
• Damage to brain structures.
• Bleeding.
• Infection.
• Fatal outcome.

Modern equipment and methods of surgery can significantly reduce the risk, but it is important to find an excellent neurosurgeon who has many years of experience in conducting such operations.

Even after removal of the tumor, there remains the possibility of relapse and the appearance of a tumor in another part of the brain.

Alternative Cancer Treatments

Every year, the development of medicine is moving forward, and more and more new methods and techniques for combating various diseases are being found. Neurosurgeons are not far behind and are looking for new methods of intervention that will remove the tumor in the brain and at the same time not disrupt the functions.

The Japanese are ahead of everyone here. For more than 10 years, atomic hydrogen has been tested to create a medical device that can fight oncology. Through experiments, it was proved that atomic hydrogen is able to destroy cancer cells and metastases, but acts much more slowly. But when the operation is impossible, then this method is a great alternative.

Studies have confirmed that several months of regular procedures lead to a significant reduction in the size of the tumor, up to its disappearance. This is confirmed by x-ray and MRI.

Oncology is no longer a sentence. Brain cancer, of course, is a serious pathology, but with timely detection and quality therapy, patients have a chance to return to a normal lifestyle. Do not shrug off unpleasant symptoms, when they appear do not be too lazy to visit a doctor, so you do not bite your elbows later, scolding yourself for being frivolous about your health.