4 Key points on brain tumors
Written by:A brain tumor is a tissue that grows inside the head unchecked. Often it is confused with the word "cancer", but do not mix these concepts.
Brain tumors can originate within the own skull (also known as "primary" brain tumors) or, more frequently, can result from the settlement of malignant cells originating from other tissues (lung, breast, prostate, etc.). The latter are known as "secondary" brain tumors or metastases.
Causes of brain tumors
It is important to differentiate between primary and secondary tumors. The latter are associated with the original tumor, ie, if the brain tumor is a metastatic lung injury, must think about this tumor associated factors such as snuff or asbestos exposure.
Unfortunately, the factors associated with primary brain tumors are few known. They have been studied numerous factors, including blows to the head or the use of mobile phones, but has not been able to demonstrate a clear association with the appearance of brain tumors.
Consequences of brain tumors
As mentioned above, brain tumors are growing tissues uncontrollably. Some grow slowly (tumors "low grade" growth) while others grow rapidly (tumors "high degree" of growth).
This distinction is very important, much more than the "benign" or "malignant" in the brain, because a tumor can be benign because their cells do not spread (not metastasize) but unfortunately is located in a vital brain region concept. In addition, a benign tumor can cause major changes in behavior, mobility or sensation.
Symptoms of brain tumors
In terms of symptoms, brain tumors can be detected by chance in a patient being studied by headache. At other times, they may exhibit neurological symptoms such as loss of strength, behavior disorder or seizure. As mentioned above, it is important growth rate as tumors that grow slowly fewer symptoms than those who grow rapidly.
Surgical treatment of brain tumors
The great technological development in this century has also reached operating rooms. Currently you can perform brain surgery, removing the tumor completely and without sequelae. Surgical results have improved the prognosis of patients does not depend on the surgery itself, but of biology (aggressiveness) of the tumor. Using a microscope, the neuro-navigation and better understanding of brain anatomy allow us to make surgeries safer for our patients.
It is important to note that not all brain tumors require surgery, and proper selection of treatment should be done in committees formed by a multidisciplinary medical team, that is, by specialists in Neurosurgery , Oncology, among others.
