Brain tumour

A diagnosis of a brain tumour is frightening news for anyone. But today, cutting-edge research and treatment breakthrough mean many people with this condition are enjoying longer and more productive lives. And an increasing number are even cured.

What is happening

The hard shell of your skull is a boon to your brain when it comes to protecting it from injury, but a disadvantage if you have a brain tumour. Because there's so little room for growth within the skull, a
tumour can damage nerve tissue or dangerously increase pressure on your brain. This is why many benign or noncancerours tumuours can be serious, even though they contain normal-looking cells, grow slowly and don't spread outside the brain. Obviously malignant or cancerous brain tumours cause even more problems: they grow faster and can destroy neighbouring tissue. When these tumours originate in your brain, they're known as secondary tumours. Secondary (metastatic) malignant brain tumours are about three times more common than primary ones. They spread most-often from breast or lung cancers, from melanoma ( a type of skin cancer) or from blood cell
cancers such as leukamia. Secondary tumours usually appear in more than one area of your brain.

LIKELY FIRST STEPS

• For most tumours, surgery to determine type and treatment to reduce their size or to remove them entirely.
• Radiation therapy to shrink tumours, usually after surgery but sometimes as a stand-alone treatment.
• In some cases, chemotherapy to diminish tumours.
• Investigate therapies for problems that don't respond to standard treatment.

   A primary malignant brain tumour is classified based on the type of brain cell it came from and where in the brain it's located. About half are called glimas, which grow supporting cells of the nerve tissue. Gilomas can range from slow-growing to very aggressive cancers. (Usually, the slower a tumour grows, the better your prognosis.) Malignant brain tumours are 'graded' according to their tendency to grow and spread: grade 1 is the least dangerous and grade 4 is the most aggressive and fastest growing.

QUESTIONS TO ASK 

• What type of brain tumour do I have? What does that mean?
• What are my chances for long-term survival?
• Are there risks in removing this tumour?
• What are the signs I need to look for that my tumour may be getting better or worse?
• where would you send a member of your own family diagnosed with my illness for the best treatment?
• Are there any clinical trials going on regarding the treatment of this type of tumour?  

    Symptoms of a brain tumour vary greatly, depending on the size, location and the rate at which  it's growing. The first symptom is usually recurring headaches from the increasing pressure building up inside your skull (although be assured that the vast majority of headaches aren't caused by brain tumours). A brain tumour can also affect your balance and cause dizzness, nausea and vomiting, gradual loss of movement in an arm or leg, seizures, hearing or vision problems and personality changes. Studies show that people who survive for two years after being  diagnosed with a brain tumour have a 70 percent chance of surviving for five years or more.

Treatments

The most effective therapy for you will be based on the type of tumour you have and its size and location. It also depends on your general health, age and medical history. If you have a benign or

                                            Treatment Options 
Procedures
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 Biopay                                                          Determine treatment for inoperable tumours
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Craniotomy                                                    Provides surgical access to brain tumour
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------    Laser microsurgery                                        Pinpoints and destroys tumours.
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Radiation therapy                                           Shrinks tumours; kills remaining cancer cells.
 
MEDICATIONS
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Chemotherapy                                                 Alone or in combination with other therapies.
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 Corticosteroids                                               Can reduce swelling within the brain.
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Anticonvulsants                                               Help if seizures are a problem
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Brachytherapy                                                 Implants radioactive 'seeds' in brain.

LIFESTYLE CHANGES
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 Eat well                                                           To stay strong for treatment
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------                                         See a therapist                                                  For both physical and psychological help

low-grade tumour, your doctor may simply want to keep the situation under close observation but not actively treat the tumour until it shows signs of growth.