There are probably very few people in the world who are oblivious about the deadly nature of brain tumor. However, not many might know about its symptoms, types and what it exactly is? Brain tumor is like the cancer of the brain, you may say. Mass production of abnormal cells within the brain is referred to as brain tumor. While some brain tumors are benign or non-cancerous, there are others that are cancerous or malignant.
Broadly, there are two main types of brain tumors:
- Primary brain tumors – They usually begin in the brain
- Secondary brain tumors – This kind of cancer normally begins in other body parts and gradually spread to the brain. Most common cancers that usually spread to brain are: lung cancer, breast cancer, colon cancer and many others. These are also called metastatic brain tumors and are more commonly found than the primary brain tumors and are sometimes life-threatening as well.
Brain tumor symptoms vary a great deal, depending upon the location, size and growth rate of the tumor. However, some general symptoms that can be observed are: severe headaches, unexplained vomiting, vision problems, restricted movement or loss of any sensation in a leg or arm, hearing problems, behavior changes, difficulty in balancing, hormonal disorders and difficulty in speech.
Though the causes of brain tumors cannot be pinpointed by doctors as yet, still there are a few risk factors that have been identified that may enhance your possibility of getting brain tumor:
- Race – brain tumors are most commonly found in whites, though meningioma is the only exception that is generally found in blacks.
- Age – Possibility of brain tumor increases with your age. Adults of 45 or above are the worst hit, though brain tumor can occur in any age. In fact, medulloblastomas is a kind of brain tumor that exclusively occurs in children in most cases.
- Radiation exposure – people who are more exposed to ionizing radiation have an increased risk.
- Chemical exposure on a regular basis – Workers employed in certain industries are also at a high risk, like those working in oil refineries, healthcare, agricultural or electrical industries.
- Family history – Sometimes, people who have a family history for brain tumors may also be the victim but such cases are very few.
In case, you are in the risk zone and you have observed any symptoms mentioned above, it is better to check with the doctor without any delay. To clear the suspicion, doctor may recommend a few procedures and tests, such as neurological exam, imaging tests and tests to diagnose cancer in other body parts. Shrinking away from tests is no solution, the sooner it’s diagnosed, the better it is. The biopsy of the abnormal cell is done that helps to determine if the brain tumor is benign or cancerous. These tests and biopsy would help doctors decide the most appropriate course of treatment, based on the results.