In the article, we consider the symptoms of a benign brain tumor.
This is a pathological formation, in the process of development of which mature cells participate, of which the brain tissue consists. Each type of tissue corresponds to a specific type of tumor. For example, schwannoma is formed from Schwann cells. They begin to form a membrane that covers the surface of the nerves. Ependymoma is formed by the cells that make up the ventricle of the brain. Meningiomas form the cells of the meninges or tissue that surrounds the brain. Adenoma is formed from glandular cells, osteoma - from the bone structures of the cranium, hemangioblastoma - from the cells of blood vessels.
What are the tumors?
There are benign brain tumors that have a congenital etiology, these include the following:
- craniopharyngiomaschordoma;
- teratoma;
- germinoma;
- angioma;
- dermoid cyst.
Symptoms of a benign brain tumor are important to recognize in a timely manner.
Meningioma
This is a benign formation, which is characterized by secondaryity, and it is observed even after surgical removal. Often it affects women of different age categories. Symptoms, therapeutic techniques, as well as the health consequences of this variety of pathology depend on the size of the tumor, its growth rate and localization.
Too large a benign neoplasm of the brain significantly impairs its function. These types of tumors do not have cancer cells. They are characterized by a slow development, but this fact does not reassure at all, because with an increase in the size of pathological formations, some parts of the brain are compressed, which contributes to the development of swelling, the inflammatory process in healthy nerve tissues, as well as an increase in intracranial pressure. In this case, the degeneration of a benign tumor into a malignant one is very rare.
Hemangioblastoma
What are the symptoms of a benign tumor of the cerebellum of the brain? This is a tumor that originates in the blood vessels of the brain with localization in the cerebellum. Symptoms vary by location and include headaches, nausea, dizziness, asthenia, cerebellar syndrome, optic nerve congestion, sensory and motor disorders, and changes in the functions of the cranial nerves and pelvic organs.
Hemangioblastoma accounts for approximately 2% of all tumors localized in the cranium. Often, such a neoplasm is observed in people aged 45 to 60 years.
Like other neoplasms (craniopharyngioma, ganglioneuroma, astrocytoma of the brain, meningioma, ganglioneuroblastoma, etc.), hemangioblastoma can occur as a result of various carcinogenic factors, which include:
- increased insolation;
- ionizing radiation;
- contact with carcinogens (benzene, asbestos, vinyl chloride, coal tar and petroleum resins, etc.);
- oncogenic viruses (retrovirus, adenovirus, herpes virus).
This tumor has a genetic etiology and is associated with mutations in the third chromosome, which leads to a disruption in the production of tumor suppressor.
Types of hemangioblastomas
According to the macroscopic structure, 3 types of hemangioblastomas are distinguished:
A solid hemangioblastoma consists of cells assembled into a single node, which has a dark cherry color and a soft consistency. Cystic tumor is a smooth-walled cyst. In most cases, on its wall there is a solid small nodule. In about 5% of cases, mixed-type hemangioblastomas are observed, which are characterized by the presence of a solid node, inside which there are many cysts.
The following hemangioblastomas are distinguished by the histological structure:
- juvenile;
- transitional;
- pure cell.
Juvenile consists of thin-walled capillaries closely adjacent to each other. Transitional hemangioblastoma in equal proportion contains stromal cells and capillaries. Pure cell is characterized by numerous cells that are located on the altered vessels.
Symptoms of a benign brain tumor can be very unpleasant.
Adenoma
This is a benign tumor that can form from the pituitary cells due to neuroinfections, chronic poisoning, traumatic brain injuries, and the effects of ionizing radiation. Although in this type of brain neoplasm there are no signs of malignancy, with an increase they are able to mechanically compress the surrounding brain structures. This contributes to the development of visual impairment, neurological and endocrine diseases, cystic formations, apoplexy. Adenoma of the brain can grow within its location, and can go beyond it.
Classification
This is the basis for the classification of adenomas:
- endosellar, which is located inside the bone pocket;
- endosuprasellar adenoma grows upward;
- endoinfrasellar - in a downward direction;
- endolaterosellar adenoma grows to the sides;
- mixed type is located diagonally.
In size distinguish between macroadenoma and microadenoma. In half the cases, such a benign tumor is hormonally inactive. Hormonal formations are:
- gonadotropinoma, which produces a large amount of gonadotropin hormones;
- thyrotropinoma, in which thyroid-stimulating hormone is synthesized;
- corticotropinoma - with it, the level of production of glucocorticoids and adrenocorticotropic hormone increases;
- prolactinoma, in which prolactin synthesis increases.
- synthesis of the hormone responsible for lactation in women.
Schwanoman
The outer shell of the ganglia and nerve fibers consists of Schwann cells. A benign tumor that develops from these tissues is schwannoma. The disease in 7% of clinical cases becomes malignant. A mutation can affect all the nerve endings of a person’s body.
This tumor develops in the form of a single node. In some cases, the disease proceeds in the form of multiple nodes, but this is extremely rare.
The main method of treatment of this pathology is surgical intervention, which provides a good prognosis of recovery.
Symptoms of a benign brain tumor depend on its size.
The main part of schwannomas is localized in the zone of the eighth pair of brain nerves, in the region of the auditory nerve. Such an arrangement of the pathological formation is fraught with deafness and is dangerous due to its inoperability. With its development, damage to the facial and trigeminal nerves is observed, which is accompanied by paralysis of the facial muscles and severe pain. Typically, there is no tumor growth in the olfactory and optic nerves.
Is a benign brain tumor required?
Schwannomas are life-threatening, especially when they are large. In such cases, pathological tissues exert pressure on the brain and can damage brain centers, which are important for the patient's life. Patients also experience severe pain in the growth area of the neoplasm.
A characteristic feature of this benign formation is the slow growth and damage of patients older than 60 years.
Many are interested in the life expectancy of a benign brain tumor after its discovery.
Diagnostics
Before you clearly diagnose benign brain tumors, the patient is recommended to undergo many neurological studies, to check vision, which includes examination of the fundus. So the vestibular apparatus is examined, the functions of balance, the organs of smell, taste and hearing are checked. The state of the blood vessels of the eyes shows the level of intracranial pressure. The use of functional techniques is the key to an accurate diagnosis.
Diagnostic techniques for benign brain tumors:
- electroencephalography - the use of this method helps to identify the presence of local and general changes in the brain;
- radiology - computed, magnetic resonance imaging of the head and x-rays can determine the localization of the pathological neoplasm and its distinctive features;
- laboratory tests that study cerebrospinal fluid and tumor features.
Treatment of a benign brain tumor
The treatment of benign neoplasms in the brain does not include chemotherapeutic techniques. Symptoms of the disease require an individual plan for individual patients. The treatment is influenced by the patient’s well-being and the presence of concomitant pathological processes in the body. One of the main methods that involves the treatment of benign brain tumors is an operation called craniotomy. This is an intervention in which the cranium is opened and the neoplasm is excised. After removal of a benign brain tumor, radiation therapy is used, in which the consequences of the disease are eliminated. Most often, traditional forms of radiation therapy are used, but in some cases they use proton therapy or radiosurgery, gamma knife treatment.
Medical therapeutic methods include the appointment of corticosteroids, which can reduce the swelling of brain tissue.
The use of proton therapy is the most effective method of influencing a benign neoplasm, since it allows eliminating some forms of tumors completely without damaging adjacent tissues, and the development of complications is not typical for such treatment. After completing the procedure, the patient can immediately lead a normal lifestyle. Proton therapy reduces the used radiation dose to half, which minimizes damage to neurocognitive and hormonal functions. The probability of a tumor occurring a second time is almost halved, the hearing organs, eyes and central nervous system are less exposed.
Forecast
How many live with the symptoms of a benign brain tumor? Most often we are talking about five years.
A successful outcome of surgical intervention can be said if the patient has passed this mark. However, it happens that people live for a longer time. It depends on the growth rate of the neoplasm in the brain.