Symptoms Just as you are a unique individual, each brain tumor is unique. In this article, we hope to help you understand some of the more common symptoms of a brain tumor. Think of the brain as the computer center for your body; each part of the brain controls a different function of your body. Symptoms depend on where within the brain the tumor is located. But be aware -- the symptoms produced by a brain tumor often mimic the symptoms of other diseases.

General Symptoms of a Brain Tumor

Headaches

Headaches are a common initial symptom. Typical "brain tumor headaches" are often described

as worse in the morning, with improvement gradually during the day. They may rouse the person

from sleep. Sometimes, upon awakening, the person vomits then feels better. These headaches

may worsen with coughing, exercise, or with a change in position such as bending or kneeling.

They also do not typically respond to the usual headache remedies. 

There are many causes, and types, of headaches. If you are experiencing headaches, we

encourage to talk to your doctor. He or she is best able to listen to your concerns, outline your

medical and headache history, and determine the next "best step" in your care. Don't know where

to start? A visit to your family physician, internist, or primary care provider is a good beginning.

If you need or wish specialty care, "neurologists" are doctors trained in the workings of the brain,

spine, and nerves. If specialty care is your preference, your family doctor can help you locate a

neurologist who specializes in headaches. 

To help your doctor better understand your symptoms, prepare for your visit in advance. Keeping

a "headache journal"- when they occur, how severe they are, other symptoms that happen at the

same time, and the type of remedies you try in an attempt to relieve your symptoms - will

provide the doctor with a good overview of the nature of your headaches. Tell your doctor about

any changes in your vision, nausea or vomiting, and the severity of those symptoms. After

learning your concerns and asking specific questions about your symptoms, your doctor

will determine the next step in finding the cause of your headaches.    

Other Symptoms of a Brain Tumor:

Seizures

About one-third of people diagnosed with a brain tumor are not aware they have a tumor until

they have a seizure. Seizures are a common symptom of a brain tumor. Seizures are caused by a

disruption in the normal flow of electricity in the brain. Those sudden bursts of electricity may

cause convulsions, unusual sensations, and loss of consciousness. Focal seizures -- such as

muscle twitching or jerking of an arm or leg, abnormal smells or tastes, problems with speech or

numbness and tingling -- may also occur.

Mental and/or Personality Changes

These can range from problems with memory (especially short-term memory), speech,

communication and/or concentration changes to severe intellectual problems and confusion.

Changes in behavior, temperament and personality may also occur, depending where the tumor

is located. These changes can be caused by the tumor itself, by increased pressure within the

skull caused by the presence of the tumor, or by involvement of the parts of the brain that control

personality.

Mass effect

Mass effect is due to increased intracranial pressure, also called IICP. This increased pressure in

the brain may be caused by a tumor growing within the tight confines of the skull, or by

hydrocephalus - the blockage of the fluid that flows around and through the brain, and/or by

edema - swelling of the brain around the tumor due to an accumulation of fluid. Mass effect can

cause damage by compressing and displacing the delicate brain tissue. The symptoms caused by

IICP include nausea and vomiting, drowsiness, vision problems such as blurred or double vision

or loss of peripheral vision, and the headaches and mental changes already mentioned. A swollen

optic nerve (papilledema) is a clear sign of IICP. It can be observed by your eye doctor when he

examines your eyes. This sign is common in young children, in persons with slow growing

tumors, with tumors in the posterior fossa, and in older patients.

As IICP increases, prompt treatment is required to avoid serious consequences. If you or your

loved one is experiencing vision changes, severe/sudden-onset personality changes, vomiting, or

severe head pains, please seek emergency medical assistance. This web site, and/or the ABTA

staff, do not provide medical advice.

Focal, or Localized, Symptoms

In addition to the common, but non-specific symptoms listed above, other more specific

symptoms frequently occur. These "focal symptoms" can help identify the location of the tumor.

Focal symptoms include: hearing problems such as ringing or buzzing sounds or hearing loss,

decreased muscle control, lack of coordination, decreased sensation, weakness or paralysis,

difficulty with walking or speech, balance problems, or double vision.

_________

_________

How do you know if you have a brain tumor?

If you are concerned about any symptoms you are experiencing, or anything you read here, we

encourage you to consult your doctor. Share your concerns. The listed symptoms can have many

different causes; your doctor can listen to your medical history and make suggestions to help find

the cause for your symptoms.

___________

Symptoms by Tumor Location

The following, more specific symptoms are due to a tumor's effect on specific brain structures.

Because the tracts of the central nervous system cross near the base of the skull, a tumor on the

right side of the brain may cause symptoms on the left side of the body, and vice-versa,

depending on the specific brain structure affected.

Brain Stem - the Midbrain, Pons, Medulla Oblongata

The brain stem controls basic life functions including blood pressure, heart beat, and breathing.

The reticular formation (the central core of the brain stem) controls consciousness, eating and

sleeping patterns, drowsiness and attention. A tumor of the brain stem produces a variety of

symptoms. The most common symptoms are vomiting (usually just after awakening), and a

clumsy, uncoordinated walk. Muscle weakness on one side of the face causes a one-sided smile

or drooping eyelid. Difficulty in swallowing and slurred or nasal speech are also common. In

addition, double vision with an inability to fully move one or both eyes might occur. Headache,

usually just after awakening, is common. Head tilt, drowsiness, hearing loss and/or personality

changes can also be present. Symptoms may develop gradually.

Cerebellum

Located in the posterior fossa, the cerebellum together with the thalamus and cerebrum controls

intricate muscular coordination, including walking and speech. See Posterior Fossa.

Cerebellopontine Angle

The earliest symptom of a tumor in this location is ringing or buzzing in the ear. Less often,

dizziness might occur. As a tumor grows, deafness, loss of facial sensation and/or facial

weakness can occur. Other symptoms are similar to those of a brain stem tumor.

Cerebral Hemispheres

The "cerebral hemispheres" are the two large, upper sections of the brain. Each cerebral

hemisphere is divided into four sections, or lobes.

Frontal Lobe

The frontal lobe of each hemisphere controls voluntary movement, usually on the

opposite side of the body. The frontal lobe of the dominant hemisphere controls

language and writing. (The dominant hemisphere is the left hemisphere in all right-

handed and some left-handed individuals, and the right hemisphere in most left-

handed people.) Other frontal lobe activities include intellectual functioning, thought

processes, behavior, and memory.

Tumors in the frontal lobe may initially be "silent." As they grow, they can cause a

variety of symptoms including one-sided paralysis, seizures, short-term memory loss,

impaired judgment and personality or mental changes. Urinary frequency and urgency

can develop. Gait disturbances and communication problems are also common. If the

tumor is at the base of the frontal lobe, loss of smell, impaired vision, and a swollen

optic nerve can occur.

Occipital Lobe

The occipital lobe is involved in the understanding of visual images and the meaning

of written word. Blindness in one direction or other visual disturbances, and seizures

are common symptoms.

Parietal Lobe

The parietal lobe receives and interprets sensations including pain, temperature, touch,

pressure, size, shape, and body-part awareness. Other activities of the parietal lobe are

hearing, reasoning and memory. Seizures, language disturbances (if a tumor is in the

dominant hemisphere) and loss of ability to read are common symptoms. Spatial

disorders, such as difficulty with body orientation in space or recognition of body

parts, can also occur. The parietal lobe also controls language and the ability to do

arithmetic. Numbers may be read, but there may be difficulty with calculations. There

may be difficulty knowing left from right and sentences containing comparisons or

cross-references may not be understood.

Temporal Lobe

The temporal lobe is involved in the understanding of sounds and spoken words, as

well as emotion and memory. Depth perception and the sense of time are also

controlled by the temporal lobe. Seizures are the most common symptom of a tumor

in this location. The ability to recognize sounds or the source of sounds may be

affected. Vision can be impaired.

Basal Ganglia

One-sided paralysis is the most common symptom. This tumor might invade other areas of the

cerebral hemispheres and produce symptoms common to tumors in those locations. Seizures are

uncommon.

Corpus Callosum

Impaired judgment and defective memory are frequent symptoms of a tumor in the forward part

of this area; behavioral changes are common with a tumor in the rear part. A tumor in the middle

of the corpus callosum might cause few, if any, symptoms until it grows quite large. This tumor

might invade other lobes of the cerebral hemispheres and produce symptoms common to tumors

in those locations. Seizures are uncommon.

Hypothalamus

The hypothalamus controls thirst and urination, sleep, body temperature, appetite, and blood

pressure. The hypothalamus coordinates patterns of activity and controls emotions. It is also the

control center for the pituitary gland.

Meninges

The meniniges are the thin covering layers of the brain and spinal cord. A tumor in this location

usually causes symptoms by pressure and compression rather than by growth into brain tissue.

Seizures are common. Additional symptoms depend on the location of the tumor.

Midline

The "midline" is where the two cerebral hemispheres meet. Headaches, nausea and a swollen

optic nerve are the most common symptoms associated with this area and are due to increased

intracranial pressure. Other symptoms are abnormal eye movements and vision, and alteration of

personality or consciousness. In addition, impairment of glandular functions can cause either

delayed or accelerated growth. The development of a water balance problem is possible.

Optic Tract

Symptoms associated with a tumor in this location involve the eye and vision, such as eye

movement disorders, abnormal pupil reactions and impaired vision. In addition, production of

hormones can be affected due to the tumor's effect on the nearby pituitary. See Midline Tumor.

Pineal Region

A tumor in this location causes hydrocephalus with the symptoms of increased intracranial

pressure. Problems with eye movement often occur. In children, hormonal disturbances such as

precocious puberty may occur.

Pituitary

The pituitary is called the "master gland." It secretes several important hormones. A tumor in this

gland may cause headache, vision changes, and/or diabetes insipidus (a type of hormone

disturbance). Because these tumors often secrete hormones inappropriately, other symptoms vary

depending on the type of hormone secreted. Breast enlargement and secretion are common.

Posterior Fossa

The posterior fossa contains the fourth ventricle, cerebellum and brain stem. Headaches due to

the tumor and/or hydrocephalus, nausea and vomiting, and a swollen optic nerve due to increased

intracranial pressure are the most common symptoms. A clumsy, uncoordinated walk, swaying,

and staggering might occur. Dizziness, tremors, as well as difficulty with coordination and

speech, are also frequent symptoms. Double vision can occur. Nerve irritation can cause pain in

the back of the head or neck or tilting of the head.

Skull Base

A wide variety of structures in the brain and head might be affected by a tumor in this location.

Symptoms depend on the specific structure affected. Cranial nerves are often affected causing

slurred speech, swallowing difficulties, double vision and facial weakness. Balance problems can

occur.

Thalamus

The thalamus monitors input from the senses and acts as a relay station for the sensory center of

the cerebrum. Common symptoms of a tumor in the thalamus include sensory loss such as the

sense of touch on the side of the body opposite the side of the tumor; muscle weakness;

decreased intellect; vision problems; speech difficulties; loss of urinary control; headache,

nausea and vomiting and difficulties in walking due to the increased pressure caused by

obstructive hydrocephalus.

Third Ventricle

Hydrocephalus due to the blockage of cerebrospinal fluid is very common, causing symptoms of

increased intracranial pressure. Leg weakness, fainting spells, impaired memory and

hypothalamic dysfunction are frequent symptoms. See Hypothalamus Tumor.

Interested in learning more about brain tumors? Please call us at 800-886-2282 for A Primer of

Brain Tumors. The book is also available online at http://www.abta.org/index.cfm?

contentid=136.

Or visit these pages of our site:    Tumor & Treatment Info     Care & Support  

If you are concerned about symptoms you are experiencing, please call your doctor. This

material is not intended as medical advice. The symptoms listed can have many different

causes; your doctor can listen to your concerns and help you find the cause of your

symptoms.

June, 2010Text Size: A A A Send to a Friend

Symptoms & Diagnosis A brain tumor takes up space within the skull and can interfere with normal brain activity. It can increase pressure in the brain, shift the brain or push it against the skull, and/or invade and damage nerves and healthy brain tissue. The location of a brain tumor influences the type of symptoms that occur. Identifying the presence of a brain tumor is the first step in determining a course of treatment.

Click on a question from the list below to learn more about the process of diagnosing a brain tumor:

1. What are the symptoms of a brain tumor? 2. How is a brain tumor diagnosed? 3. What else should I know about diagnostic tests? 4. How is a pathology report used to diagnose brain tumors? 5. How can I find out more about the location and type of tumor in my brain?

 

1. What are the symptoms of a brain tumor?

Brain tumors may have a variety of symptoms ranging from headache to stroke. Different parts of the brain control different functions, so symptoms will vary depending on the tumor's location. Brain tumors are great mimics of other neurological disorders, and many of the common symptoms could indicate other medical conditions. The best way to determine if you or someone you know has a brain tumor is to have a doctor perform a type of brain scan called an MRI or a scan called a CT scan It is sometimes hard to know whether a CT scan or MRI should be done if someone you know has some of the symptoms and signs noted below, but it is important to know that these studies will usually establish whether a brain tumor is behind them. If you are truly concerned, be sure to discuss your concerns with a physician.

Possible symptoms of a brain tumor include:

o A new seizure in an adult 

o Gradual loss of movement or sensation in an arm or leg 

o Unsteadiness or imbalance, especially if it is associated with headache 

o Loss of vision in one or both eyes, especially if the vision loss is more peripheral  

o Double vision, especially if it is associated with headache 

o Hearing loss with or without dizziness 

o Speech difficulty of gradual onset 

Other symptoms may also include nausea or vomiting that is most severe in the morning, confusion and disorientation, and memory loss.

The following symptoms are usually not caused by a brain tumor, but may sometimes be:

o Headache: Although headaches are probably the most common symptom of a brain tumor, most people with headaches – even persistent or severe headaches – do not have a tumor.

However, some kinds of headaches are particularly worrisome. A steady headache that is worse in the morning than the afternoon, a persistent headache that is associated with nausea or vomiting, or a headache accompanied by double vision, weakness, or numbness all suggest a possible tumor. 

o A change in behavior: The development of an "I don't care" attitude, memory loss, loss of concentration, and general confusion may all be subtle signs. In this case, an evaluation by a neurologist may be an important step, but a CT or MRI will also help. 

o Infertility or abnormal cessation of menstruation (also known as amenorrhea) 

o Troubles that seem to be caused by other diseases or concerns: A seizure that results from a fall or the discovery of what appears to be a subarachnoid hemorrhage (a type of stroke) may actually be caused by tumors.  

If you are concerned that you or someone you know might have a brain tumor, call your doctor. If symptoms persist, an MRI or CT scan can facilitate the diagnosis. Early detection and treatment may increase survival.

With grateful acknowledgment of the content provided by Peter McL. Black, M.D., Ph.D., Neurosurgeon-in-Chief at Brigham and Women's Hospital and Children's Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts.

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2. How is a brain tumor diagnosed?

Identifying a brain tumor usually involves a neurological examination, brain scans, and/or an analysis of the brain tissue. Doctors use the diagnostic information to classify the tumor from the least aggressive (benign) to the most aggressive (malignant). In most cases, a brain tumor is named for the cell type of origin or its location in the brain. Identifying the type of tumor helps doctors determine the most appropriate course of treatment.

A neurological examination is a series of tests to measure the function of the patient s nervous system and physical and mental alertness. If responses to the exam are not normal, the doctor may order a brain scan or refer the patient to a neurologist or neurosurgeon, who will then order a brain scan.

A brain scan is a picture of the internal structures in the brain. A specialized machine takes a scan in much the same way a digital camera takes a photograph. Using computer technology, a scan compiles an image of the brain by photographing it from various angles.

Some types of scans use a contrast agent (or contrast dye), which helps the doctor see the difference between normal and abnormal brain tissue. The contrast agent is injected into a vein and flows into brain tissue. Abnormal or diseased brain tissue absorbs more dye than normal healthy tissue. The most common scans used for diagnosis are as follows:

MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) is a scanning device that uses magnetic fields and computers to capture images of the brain on film. It does not use x-rays. It provides pictures from various planes, which permit doctors to create a three-dimensional image of the tumor. The MRI detects signals emitted from normal and abnormal tissue, providing clear images of most tumors.

CT or CAT Scan (Computed Tomography) combines sophisticated x-ray and computer technology. CT can show a combination of soft tissue, bone, and blood vessels. CT images can determine some types of tumors, as well as help detect swelling, bleeding, and bone and tissue calcification. Usually, iodine is the contrast agent used during a CT scan.

PET Scan (Positron Emission Tomography) provides a picture of the brain s activity, rather than its structure, by measuring the rate at which a tumor absorbs glucose (a sugar). The patient is injected with deoxyglucose that has been labeled with radioactive markers. The PET scan measures the brain s activity and sends this information to a computer, which creates a live image. Doctors use PET scans to see the difference between scar tissue, recurring tumor cells, and necrosis (cells destroyed by radiation treatment).

There some drawbacks to these diagnostic tests, however. Please refer to What else should I know about diagnostic tests? for more information.

A biopsy is a surgical procedure in which a sample of tissue is taken from the tumor site and examined under a microscope. The biopsy will provide information on types of abnormal cells present in the tumor. The purpose of a biopsy is to discover the type and grade of a tumor. A biopsy is the most accurate method of obtaining a diagnosis.

An open biopsy is done during a craniotomy. A craniotomy involves removing a piece of the skull in order to get access to the brain. After the tumor is resected (completely removed) or debulked (partially removed), the bone is usually put back into place. A closed biopsy (also called a stereotactic or needle biopsy) may be performed when the tumor is in an area of the brain that is difficult to reach. In a closed biopsy, the neurosurgeon drills a small hole into the skull and passes a narrow hollow needle into the tumor to remove a sample of tissue.

Once a sample is obtained, a pathologist examines the tissue under a microscope and writes a pathology report containing an analysis of the brain tissue. Sometimes the pathologist may not be able to make an exact diagnosis. This may be because more than one grade of tumor cells exists within the same tumor. In some cases, the tissue may be sent to another institution for additional analysis.

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3. What else should I know about diagnostic tests?

Because an MRI uses magnetic fields, people who have metal implanted in their body in any form should let the doctor know about it before scheduling the procedure. An MRI may not be an option for these patients because the intense magnetic fields can damage some types of implanted medical devices. Patients should advise the doctor if they have a pacemaker, cardiac monitor, surgical clip, or facial tattoos.

In a standard MRI scan, the patient lies on a narrow table, which slides through a long, cylindrical tube with a narrow opening. Although there is enough room for the patient s body inside the cylinder, the patient will not be able to move around. The scan takes approximately 15-45 minutes. During the scan, the patient will hear loud banging sounds, caused by the electronics within the machine. Patients may request earplugs to reduce noise. Some people find the MRI claustrophobic and ask for a sedative beforehand to relax. Other people request an open MRI.

An open MRI machine does not have a cylinder, so the patient is not enclosed. The procedure lasts approximately 45 minutes. There is some discussion among doctors concerning the quality of the images of an open MRI compared to the standard or closed MRI.

Contrast agents may cause allergic reactions in some patients. Gadolinium, the contrast agent used with an MRI, may cause temporary headaches but has no other known side effects. Iodine is the contrast agent most commonly used for CT scanning. If you know you are allergic to iodine, tell your doctor. Allergic reactions can include rashes, a warm sensation, or, in rare cases, difficulty breathing.

CT scans involve exposure to ionizing radiation, which is known to cause cancer. This is a concern for people who may need multiple CT scans and for children, because they are more sensitive to radiation than adults. It is wise for people who have had frequent x-ray exams and parents of children who have brain tumors to keep a record of their x-ray history. This information can help doctors make informed decisions and minimize radiation over-exposure.

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4. How is a pathology report used to diagnose brain tumors?

A pathology report contains the analysis of brain tissue taken at the time of a craniotomy or needle biopsy. A pathologist examines the tissue under a microscope. Further tests or analysis may be performed on the tumor tissue. Then the pathologist will write a pathology report, which provides the information needed to make a diagnosis of the tumor type.

Sometimes the pathologist may not be able to make an exact diagnosis. This may be because more than one grade of tumor cells exists within the same tumor. [If cells of only one grade are removed

and classified during a biopsy, it is possible that the tumor grade will be misdiagnosed. This is called a sampling error.] In some cases, the tissue may be sent to another institution for additional input.

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5. How can I find out more about the location and type of tumor in my brain?

The NBTS Interactive Tour of the Brain illustrates parts of the brain and their functions.

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Taxonomy of brain tumors

[edit] By location and origin of the neoplasm

[edit] Primary brain tumors

Primary neoplasms of the brain are tumors that originate in the intracranial sphere or the central spinal canal, based on the organic tissues that make up the brain and the spinal cord. From the brain-lemma we can learn a lot of things about the composition of the brain from different types of organic tissues. For the purpose of this article we will discuss only some types.

The brain itself is composed of neurons and glia (that function primarily as the physical support for neurons). The neuron itself is rarely the basis for a tumor, though tumors of the glial cells are glioma and often are of the cancerous type.

The brain is surrounded by a system of connective tissue membranes called meninges that separate the skull from the brain. Tumors of the meninges are meningioma and are often benign neoplasms.

Below the brain is pituitary and pineal gland which could be the basis for its own -albeit rare- kind of benign glandular neoplasms.

[edit] Secondary brain tumors

Secondary tumors of the brain are metastatic tumors that invaded the intracranial sphere from cancers originating in other organs. This means that a (malignant) cancerous neoplasm has developed in another organ elsewhere in the body and that cancer cells leak from that primary tumor. The leaked cells enter the lymphatic system and blood vessels, circulate through the bloodstream, and are deposited in the brain. There, these cells continue growing and dividing, becoming another invasive neoplasm of the primary cancer's tissue. Secondary tumors of the brain are very common in the terminal phases of patients with an incurable metastased cancer; the most common types of cancers that bring about secondary tumors of the brain are lung cancer, breast cancer, malignant melanoma, kidney cancer and colon cancer (in decreasing order of frequency).

Secondary brain tumors are the most common cause of tumors in the intracranial cavity.

The skull bone structure can also be subject to a neoplasm that by its very nature reduces the volume of the intracranial cavity, and can damage the brain.

[edit] By behavior of the neoplasm

Brain tumors or intracanial neoplasms can be cancerous (malignant) or non-cancerous (benign). However, the definitions of malignant or benign neoplasms differs from those commonly used in other types of cancerous or non-cancerous neoplasms in the body. In ordinary cancers (elsewhere in the body) three malignant properties differentiate benign tumors from malignant forms of cancer : benign tumors are self-limited and do not invade or metastasize. The malignant characteristics of tumors are :

uncontrolled mitosis (growth by division beyond the normal limits), anaplasia : a term meaning that the cells in the neoplasm have an obviously different form (in

size and shape). Anaplastic cells display marked pleomorphism. The cell nuclei are characteristically extremely hyperchromatic (darkly stained) and enlarged; the nucleus might have the same size as the cytoplasm of the cell (nuclear-cytoplasmic ratio may approach 1:1, instead of the normal 1:4 or 1:6 ratio). Giant cells that are considerably larger than their neighbors may be formed and possess either one enormous nucleus or several nuclei (syncytia). Anaplastic nuclei are variable and bizarre in size and shape.

invasion or infiltration : in medical literature these terms are used as synonymous equivalents. However for clarity in the articles that follow we will adhere to a convention that they mean slightly different things (so readers should be aware that this convention is not kept outside these articles) :

o Invasion or invasiveness is the spatial expansion of the tumor through uncontrolled mitosis, in the sense that the neoplasm invades the space occupied by adjacent tissue, thereby pushing the other tissue aside and eventually compressing the tissue. Often these tumors are associated with clearly outlined tumors in imaging.

o Infiltration is the behavior of the tumor either to grow (microscopic) tentacles that push into the surrounding tissue (often making the outline of the tumor undefined or diffuse) or to have tumor cells "seeded" into the tissue beyond the circumference of the tumorous mass; this doesn't mean that an infiltrative tumor doesn't take up space or doesn't compress the surrounding tissue as it grows, but an infiltrating neoplasm makes it difficult to say where the tumor ends and the healthy tissue starts.

metastasis (spread to other locations in the body via lymph or blood).

Of the above malignant characteristics, some elements don't apply to primary neoplasms of the brain  :

Primary brain tumors rarely metastasize to other organs; some forms of primary brain tumors can metastasize but will not spread outside the intracranial cavity or the central spinal canal. Due to the blood-brain barrier cancerous cells of a primary neoplasm cannot enter the bloodstream and get carried to another location in the body. (Occasional isolated case reports suggest spread of certain brain tumors outside the central nervous system, e.g. bone metastasis of glioblastoma multiforme [1].)

Primary brain tumors generally are invasive (i.e. they will expand spatially and intrude into the space occupied by other brain tissue and compress those brain tissues), however some of the more malignant primary brain tumors will infiltrate the surrounding tissue.

Of numerous grading systems in use for the classification of tumor of the central nervous system, the World Health Organization (WHO) grading system is commonly used for astrocytoma. Established in 1993 in an effort to eliminate confusion regarding diagnoses, the WHO system established a four-tiered histologic grading guideline for astrocytomas that assigns a grade from 1 to 4, with 1 being the least aggressive and 4 being the most aggressive.

[edit] Tumor development according to tissue type

[edit] Basic knowledge of the anatomy of the brain needed for further reading

From the brain-wikipedia article and for the purpose of understanding this article some summary notes about the brain and its different types of organic tissues will be provided.

Main anatomical regions of the vertebrate brain

When reading the human brain in the picture on the left, only a few of the areas are really of interest to us. The first type of tissue encountered beneath the skullbone in the intracranial cavity is actually not shown on this picture : the meninges

[edit] Meninges

Human brains are surrounded by a system of connective tissue membranes called meninges that separate the skull from the brain. This three-layered covering is composed of (from the outside in) the dura mater ("hard mother"), arachnoid mater ("spidery mother"), and pia mater ("soft mother"). The arachnoid and pia are physically connected and thus often considered as a single layer, the pia-arachnoid. Below the arachnoid is the subarachnoid space which contains cerebrospinal fluid (CSF also called "liquor" in Latin), which circulates in the narrow spaces between cells and through cavities called ventricles, and serves to nourish, support, and protect the brain tissue. Blood vessels enter the central nervous system through the perivascular space above the pia mater. The cells in the blood vessel walls are joined tightly, forming the blood-brain barrier which protects the brain from toxins that might enter through the blood. Tumors of the meninges are meningioma and are often benign neoplasms.

[edit] Brain matter

The brains of vertebrates (including humans) are made of very soft tissue, with a texture that has been compared to jello. Living brain tissue is pinkish on the outside and mostly white on the inside, with subtle variations in color

o the telencephalon (cerebral hemispheres or cerebrum)o mesencephalon (midbrain),o cerebellum

make out the biggest volume of the brain. These areas are composed of two broad classes of cells: neurons and glia. These two types are equally numerous in the brain as a whole, although glial cells outnumber neurons roughly 4 to 1 in the cerebral cortex. Glia come in several types, which perform a number of critical functions, including structural support, metabolic support, insulation, and guidance of development.

Primary tumors of the glial cells are called Glioma and often are malignant by the time they are diagnosed.

[edit] Spinal cord and other tissues

the pink area in the picture is called the pons; it's a specific region that consists of myelinated axons much like the spinal cord;

the yellow region is the diencephalon (thalamus and hypothalamus) which consist also of neuron and glial cell tissue with the hypophysis (or pituitary gland) and pineal gland attached at the bottom which is glandular tissue, tumors of the pituitary and pineal gland are often benign neoplasms;

the turquoise region or medulla oblongata is the end of the spinal cord and is composed mainly of neuron tissue enveloped in Schwann cells and meninges tissue. Our spinal cord is made up of bundles of these axons. Glial cells such as Schwann cells in the periphery or, within the cord itself, oligodendrocytes, wrap themselves around the axon, thus promoting faster transmission of electrical signals and also providing for general maintenance of the environment surrounding the cord, in part by shuttling different compounds around, responding to injury, etc.

[edit] In pediatrics

A brainstem glioma in four year old. MRI sagittal, without contrast

In the US, about 2000 children and adolescents younger than 20 years of age are diagnosed with malignant brain tumors each year. Higher incidence rates were reported in 1975–83 than in 1985–94. There is some debate as to the reasons; one theory is that the trend is the result of improved diagnosis and reporting, since the jump occurred at the same time that MRIs became available widely, and there was no coincident jump in mortality. The CNS cancer survival rate in children is approximately 60%. The rate varies with the type of cancer and the age of onset: younger patients have higher mortality.[2]

In children under 2, about 70% of brain tumors are medulloblastoma, ependymoma, and low-grade glioma. Less commonly, and seen usually in infants, are teratoma and atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor.[3] Germ cell tumors, including teratoma, make up just 3% of pediatric primary brain tumors, but the worldwide incidence varies significantly.[4]

[edit] Prognosis

The prognosis of brain cancer varies based on the type of cancer. Medulloblastoma has a good prognosis with chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgical resection while glioblastoma multiforme has a median survival of only 12 months even with aggressive chemoradiotherapy and surgery. Brainstem gliomas have the poorest prognosis of any form of brain cancer, with most patients dying within one year, even with therapy that typically consists of radiation to the tumor along with corticosteroids. However, one type of brainstem glioma, a focal[5] seems open to exceptional prognosis and long-term survival has frequently been reported.

[edit] Glioblastoma multiformeMain article: Glioblastoma multiforme

Glioblastoma multiforme is the deadliest and most common form of malignant brain tumor. Even when aggressive multimodality therapy consisting of radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and surgical excision is used, median survival is only 12–17 months. Standard therapy for glioblastoma multiforme consists of maximal surgical resection of the tumor, followed by radiotherapy between two and four weeks after the surgical procedure to remove the cancer. This is followed by chemotherapy. Most patients with glioblastoma take a corticosteroid, typically dexamethasone, during their illness to palliate symptoms. Experimental treatments include gamma-knife radiosurgery.[6]

[edit] OligodendrogliomasMain article: Oligodendroglioma

Oligodendroglioma is an incurable but slowly progressive malignant brain tumor. They can be treated with surgical resection, chemotherapy, and/or radiotherapy. For suspected low-grade oligodendrogliomas in select patients, some neuro-oncologists opt for a course of watchful waiting, with only symptomatic therapy. Tumors with the 1p/19q co-deletion have been found to be especially chemosensitive, and one source reports oligodendrogliomas to be "among the most chemosensitive of human solid malignancies"[7]. A median survival of up to 16.7 years has been reported for low grade oligodendrogliomas [8].

[edit] Characteristics of tumors

Tumors have characteristics that allow pathologists to determine how dangerous a tumor is/was for the patient, how it will evolve and it will allow the medical team to determine the management plan for the patient.

Anaplasia: or dedifferentiation; loss of differentiation of cells and of their orientation to one another and blood vessels, a characteristic of anaplastic tumor tissue. Anaplastic cells have lost total control of their normal functions and many have deteriorated cell structures. Anaplastic cells often have abnormally high nuclear-to-cytoplasmic ratios, and many are multinucleated. Additionally, the nuclei of anaplastic cells are usually unnaturally shaped or oversized nuclei. Cells can become anaplastic in two ways: neoplastic tumor cells can dedifferentiate to become anaplasias (the dedifferentiation causes the cells to lose all of their normal structure/function), or cancer stem cells can increase in their capacity to multiply (i.e., uncontrollable growth due to failure of differentiation).

Atypia: is an indication of abnormality of a cell (which may be indicative for malignancy). Significance of the abnormality is highly dependent on context.

Neoplasia: is the (uncontrolled) division of cells; as such neoplasia is not problematic but its consequences are: the uncontrolled division of cells means that the mass of a neoplasm increases in size, in a confined space such as the intracranial cavity this quickly becomes problematic because the mass invades the space of the brain pushing it aside, leading to compression of the brain tissue and increased intracranial pressure [9] and destruction of brain parenchyma. Increased Intracranial pressure (ICP) may be attributable to the direct mass effect of the tumor, increased

blood volume, or increased cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) volume may in turn have secondary symptoms

Necrosis: is the (premature) death of cells, caused by external factors such as infection, toxin or trauma. Necrotic cells send the wrong chemical signals which prevents phagocytes from disposing of the dead cells, leading to a build up of dead tissue, cell debris an toxins at or near the site of the necrotic cells [10]

Arterial and venous hypoxia or the deprivation of adequate oxygen supply to certain areas of the brain, this is due to the fact that the tumor taps into nearby blood vessels for its supply of blood, the neoplasm enters into competition for nutrients with the surrounding brain tissue.

More generally a neoplasm may cause release of metabolic end products (e.g., free radicals, altered electrolytes, neurotransmitters), release and recruitment of cellular mediators (e.g.,

cytokines) that disrupt normal parenchymal function.

[edit] Signs and symptoms

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The visibility of signs and symptoms of brain tumors mainly depends on two factors: tumor size (volume) and tumor location. The moment that symptoms will become apparent, either to the person or people around him (symptom onset) is an important milestone in the course of the diagnosis and treatment of the tumor. The symptom onset - in the timeline of the development of the neoplasm - depends in many cases on the nature of the tumor but in many cases it's also related to the change of the neoplasms nature from "benign" (i.e. slow-growing/late symptom onset) to more malignant (fast growing/early symptom onset) grading, and Sightly frequently with the moment for seeking medical attention.

Symptoms of solid neoplasms of the brain (primary brain tumors and secondary tumors alike) can be divided in 3 main categories :

Consequences of intracranial hypertension : The symptoms that often occur first are those that are the consequences of increased intracranial pressure: Large tumors or tumors with extensive perifocal swelling (edema) inevitably lead to elevated intracranial pressure (intracranial hypertension), which translates clinically into headaches, vomiting (sometimes without nausea), altered state of consciousness (somnolence, coma), dilatation of the pupil on the side of the lesion (anisocoria), papilledema (prominent optic disc at the funduscopic eye examination). However, even small tumors obstructing the passage of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) may cause early signs of increased intracranial pressure. Increased intracranial pressure may result in herniation (i.e. displacement) of certain parts of the brain, such as the cerebellar tonsils or the temporal uncus, resulting in lethal brainstem compression. In very young children, elevated

intracranial pressure may cause an increase in the diameter of the skull and bulging of the fontanelles.

Dysfunction : depending on the tumor location and the damage it may have caused to surrounding brain structures, either through compression or infiltration, any type of focal neurologic symptoms may occur, such as cognitive and behavioral impairment (including impaired judgment, memory loss, lack of recognition, spatial orientation disorders), personality or emotional changes, hemiparesis, hypoesthesia, aphasia, ataxia, visual field impairment, impaired sense of smell, impaired hearing, facial paralysis, double vision, but more severe symptoms might occur too such as: paralysis on one side of the body hemiplegia or impairment to swallow . These symptoms are not specific for brain tumors — they may be caused by a large variety of neurologic conditions (e.g. stroke, traumatic brain injury). What counts, however, is the location of the lesion and the functional systems (e.g. motor, sensory, visual, etc.) it affects. A bilateral temporal visual field defect (bitemporal hemianopia—due to compression of the optic chiasm), often associated with endocrine disfunction—either hypopituitarism or hyperproduction of pituitary hormones and hyperprolactinemia is suggestive of a pituitary tumor.

Irritation : signs abnormal fatigue, weariness, absences and tremors, but also epileptic seizures.

The above symptoms are true for ALL types of Neoplasm of the brain (i.e. that includes secondary tumors). It is very likely that a person might carry a primary benign neoplasme for several years and have no visible symptoms at all, or suffer no effects. Many present some vague and intermittent symptoms like headaches and occasional vomiting, and weariness which is easily mistaken for gastritis or gastroenteritis. It might seem strange that despite having a mass in his skull exercising pressure on the brain the patient feels no pain, while headaches could cause an excruciating pain. If you ever suffered a concussion due to a fall you might remember that the bump on the outside of your skull was painful but there was no pain inside your head. The brain has on his outside (in the meninges) no nervesensors to feel and transmit pain to the brains pain center, it cannot signal pain if it doesn't get a sensory input. That is why secondary symptoms like those described above should alert doctors to the possible diagnosis of a neoplasm of the brain.

If a person suffering from a metastasized cancer is diagnosed it will be likely that a scan of the skull will be made and a secondary tumor discovered.

In a recent study by the Dutch GP Association [11], a list of causes of headaches [12] was published, that should alert GP's to take their diagnosis further then to choose for symptomatic treatment of headaches with simple pain medication (note the occurrence of brain tumors as possible cause) :

Alarm Signals Possible Cause to be investigated

first headache complaint from patient over 50

brain tumor, arteriïtis temporalis

first migraine attack in patient over 40 brain tumor

headache from patient under 6 brain tumor, hydrocephalus

senior patient with pain at temples arteriïtis temporalis

pregnancy with unknown headache pre-eclampsia

increased headaches after trauma sub/epidural hematoma

high-pitched headaches with high blood pressure

malign hypertension

acute high pitched headachemeningitis, CVA (Cerebrovascular accident or stroke), subarachnoïdal hemorrhage

headache and fever (with reduced consciousness)

meningitis

Stiffness of the neck/neurological dysfunction

meningitis, brain tumor

headache with signs of elevated intracranial pressure

brain tumor

focal neurological dysfunction brain tumor

early morning vomiting or vomiting unrelated to headache

brain tumor

behavioral changes or rapid decline in school results

brain tumor

aura migraine always at one side brain tumor

[edit] Diagnosis

Although there is no specific or singular clinical symptom or sign for any brain tumors, the presence of a combination of symptoms and the lack of corresponding clinical indications of infections might be an indicator to step up the diagnostic investigation to the direction of an intracranial neoplasm.

The diagnosis will often start with an interrogation of the patient to get a clear view of his medical antecedents, and his current symptoms. Clinical and laboratory investigations will serve to exclude infections as cause of the symptoms. Examinations in this stage may include ophtamological, otolaryngological (or ENT) and/or Electrophysiological exams, other means such as electroencephalography (EEG) play a role in the diagnosis of brain tumors.

Swelling, or obstructing the passage of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) may cause (early) signs of increased intracranial pressure which translates clinically into headaches, vomiting, or an altered state of consciousness, (and in children) changes to the diameter of the skull and bulging of the fontanelles. More complex symptoms such as endocrine dysfunctions should alarm doctors not to exclude brain tumors.

A bilateral temporal visual field defect (due to compression of the optic chiasm) or dilatation of the pupil, and the occurrence of either slowly evolving or the sudden onset of focal neurologic symptoms, such as cognitive and behavioral impairment (including impaired judgment, memory loss, lack of recognition, spatial orientation disorders), personality or emotional changes, hemiparesis, hypoesthesia, aphasia, ataxia, visual field impairment, impaired sense of smell, impaired hearing, facial paralysis, double vision, but also more severe symptoms might accur too such as: tremors, paralysis on one side of the body hemiplegia, but also (epileptic) seizures in a patient with a negative history for epilepsy, impairment to swallow should raise red flags.

Micrograph of an oligodendroglioma, a type of brain cancer. Brain biopsy. H&E stain.

Imaging plays a central role in the diagnosis of brain tumors. Early imaging methods —invasive and sometimes dangerous— such as pneumoencephalography and cerebral angiography, have been abandoned in recent times in favor of non-invasive, high-resolution techniques, such as computed tomography (CT)-scans and especially magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Neoplasms will often show as differently colored masses (also referred to as processes) in CT or MRI results.

Benign brain tumors often show up as hypodense (darker than brain tissue) mass lesions on cranial CT-scans. On MRI, they appear either hypo- (darker than brain tissue) or isointense (same intensity as brain tissue) on T1-weighted scans, or hyperintense (brighter than brain tissue) on T2-weighted MRI, although the appearance is variable.

Contrast agent uptake, sometimes in characteristic patterns, can be demonstrated on either CT or MRI-scans in most malignant primary and metastatic brain tumors.

Perifocal edema , or pressure-areas, or where the brain tissue has been compressed by an invasive process also appears hyperintense on T2-weighted MRI, they might indicate the presence a diffuse neoplasm (unclear outline)

This is because these tumors disrupt the normal functioning of the blood-brain barrier and lead to an increase in its permeability. However it is not possible to diagnose high versus low grame gliomas based on enhancement pattern alone.

Another possible diagnostic indicator would be neurofibromatosis which can be in type one or type two.

Glioblastoma multiforme and anaplastic astrocytoma have been associated in case reports on PubMed[who?] with the genetic acute hepatic porphyrias (PCT, AIP, HCP and VP), including positive testing associated with drug refractory seizures. Unexplained complications associated with drug treatments with these tumors should alert physicians to an undiagnosed neurological porphyria.

The definitive diagnosis of brain tumor can only be confirmed by histological examination of tumor tissue samples obtained either by means of brain biopsy or open surgery. The histological examination is essential for determining the appropriate treatment and the correct prognosis. This examination, performed by a pathologist, typically has three stages: interoperative examination of fresh tissue, preliminary microscopic examination of prepared tissues, and followup examination of prepared tissues after immunohistochemical staining or genetic analysis.

[edit] Coping with the diagnosisThis section contains instructions, advice, or how-to content. The purpose of Wikipedia is to present facts, not to train. Please help improve this article either by rewriting the how-to content or by moving it to Wikiversity or Wikibooks. (June 2010)

Being diagnosed with a brain tumor can be overwhelming. As you come to terms with your diagnosis, your life will most certainly be turned upside down with visits to doctors and surgeons as you prepare for your treatment. Some advice to help you cope :

Learn whatever you can or want to know about your specific neoplasm. Ask your medical team where you can get more information about it and your treatment options. Patient groups may help you get to reliable information and post treatment support.

o Make sure you verify the information comes from reliable resources including your library and online sources.

o Write down your questions so that you'll remember to ask them at your next appointment with your doctor.

o The more you know about your condition, the better prepared you'll be to make decisions about your treatment.

o Make a timetable and the questions you will need to ask at that time even if you understand them now that might not be the case post-surgery.

Building a support network is your most imperative task before surgery o if you are an adult patient and you don't have family caregivers to support you, you

should initiate contacts with patient-support groups to have a volunteer come for regular visits who can support and inform you, help you talk to the doctors and plan

regular update appointments to help you through the initial recovery (until you are sufficiently advanced in cognitive rehabilitation);

o to interface for you with the reality outside the hospital (time doesn't stop, it stops only in your head) and support you with any assistance you will need until you have sufficiently recovered to return to some measure of independent life. Please note that you might need to foresee a translator if you are not a native speaker of the local language or if you happen do be in a foreign country (to help you understand doctor in you native language);

o until you come off anti-epileptica (medication that prevents epileptic seizures you should never be left alone, so if you are a single and living alone in your house or apartment you should not return to your home, away from some form of supervised care until you are free of epileptic seizures (neighbors don't suffice, even flatsharing singles (i.e. students) should not depend on their flatmates;

o if you a parent of a child or an adolescent patient : both the patient and his family carers & siblings need outside support : arrange it; as a family carer you have the pre-operative period and the initial recovery to prepare.

Apart from you family supporting you after surgery you should also address your friends, this can scare them away because they have difficulty giving themselves a place in your situation and life (so give them a chance in advance.

Making contacts with patient-support groups is essential : they can provide a wide range of home-coming support, transport for out-patient (radio-therapy) treatments, assistance with transport (patients will be unable to drive a car fo some time after surgery), activities with other patients and their relatives.

You may find it helps to have someone to talk to about your emotions. Other people who may provide support include social workers and psychologists — ask your medical team for a referral if you feel that you need someone else to talk to. Talk with your pastor, rabbi or other spiritual leader in order to pay you regular visits, you may not be able to ask for their visit when you need it, because of your mental state (lack of initiative). Other people with similar experiences can offer a unique perspective, so consider joining a support group — whether it's in your community or online. Ask your health care team about brain tumor support groups in your area, or contact an organization like American Brain Tumor Association or whatever equivalent in your country of residence.

Take care of yourself. Try to stay healthy during your treatment for a meningioma by taking care of yourself. Eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables and get moderate exercise daily if your doctor allows it. Get enough sleep so that you wake feeling rested. Reduce stress in your life by focusing on what's important to you. These measures won't cure your meningioma, but they may help you feel better as you recover from surgery or help you to cope during radiation therapy.[13]

[edit] Treatment

When a brain tumor is diagnosed, a medical team will be formed to assess the options of treatment presented by the leading surgeon to the patient and his family. Given the location of primary solid neoplasms of the brain in most cases there is no "do-nothing" option, neurosurgeons do take the time to observe the evolution of the neoplasm before proposing a management plan to the patient and his relatives. Different types of treatment are available to the doctors and can be combined to give the best chances of survival :

surgery : complete or partial ressection of the tumor ; objective : to remove as many tumor cells as possible

radiotherapy chemotherapy

o kill as many as possible of the cells left behindo put remaining tumor cells into a nondividing, sleeping state for as long as possible

Survival rates in primary brain tumors depend on the type of tumor, age, functional status of the patient, the extent of surgical tumor removal, to mention just a few factors.[14]

[edit] Surgery

The primary course of action described in medical literature is surgical removal (ressection), a craniotomy(to open the skull) to best access the tumor site, currently minimal invasive techniques are being studied but far from being common practice. The prime re mediating objective of surgery is to remove as many tumor cells as possible, in any case surgery will reduce the tumor size and will attempt to completely remove the neoplasm. In some cases access to the tumor is impossible and impedes surgery.

Many meningiomas, with the exception of some tumors located at the skull base, can be successfully removed surgically. Most pituitary adenomas can be removed surgically, often using a minimally invasive approach through the nasal cavity and skull base (trans-nasal, trans-sphenoidal approach). Large pituitary adenomas require a craniotomy (opening of the skull) for their removal. Radiotherapy, including stereotactic approaches, is reserved for the inoperable cases.

Although there is no generally accepted therapeutic management for primary brain tumors, a surgical attempt at tumor removal or at least cytoreduction (that is, removal of as much tumor as possible, in order to reduce the number of tumor cells available for proliferation) is considered in most cases.[15] However, due to the infiltrative nature of these lesions, tumor recurrence, even following an apparently complete surgical removal, is not uncommon. Several current research studies aim to improve the surgical removal of brain tumors by labeling tumor cells with a chemical (5-aminolevulinic acid) that causes them to fluoresce [16]. Postoperative radiotherapy and chemotherapy are integral parts of the therapeutic standard for malignant tumors. Radiotherapy may also be administered in cases of "low-grade" gliomas, when a significant tumor burden reduction could not be achieved surgically.

The main treatment option for single metastatic tumors is surgical removal, followed by radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy. Multiple metastatic tumors are generally treated with radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS), such as Gamma Knife, Cyberknife or Novalis Tx, radiosurgery, remains a viable option. However, the prognosis in such cases is determined by the primary tumor, and it is generally poor.

[edit] Radiation therapy

The goal of radiation therapy is to selectively kill tumor cells while leaving normal brain tissue unharmed. In standard external beam radiation therapy, multiple treatments of standard-dose "fractions" of radiation are applied to the brain. Each treatment induces damage to both healthy and normal tissue. By the time the next treatment is given, most of the normal cells have repaired the damage, but the tumor tissue has not. This process is repeated for a total of 10 to 30 treatments, depending on the type of tumor. This additional treatment provides some patients with improved outcomes and longer survival rates.

Radiosurgery is a treatment method that uses computerized calculations to focus radiation at the site of the tumor while minimizing the radiation dose to the surrounding brain. Radiosurgery may be an adjunct to other treatments, or it may represent the primary treatment technique for some tumors.

Radiotherapy may be used if there is incomplete resection of the tumor. Forms of radiotherapy used for brain cancer include external beam radiation therapy, brachytherapy ,and in more difficult cases, stereotactic radiosurgery, such as Gamma knife, Cyberknife or Novalis Tx radiosurgery, remains a viable option.[17]

Radiotherapy is the most common treatment for secondary cancer brain tumors. The amount of radiotherapy depends on the size of the area of the brain affected by cancer. Conventional external beam whole brain radiotherapy treatment (WBRT) or 'whole brain irradiation' may be suggested if there is a risk that other secondary tumors will develop in the future.[18] Stereotactic radiotherapy is usually recommended in cases of under three small secondary brain tumors.

In 2008 a study published by the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center indicated that cancer patients who receive stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) and whole brain radiation therapy (WBRT) for the treatment of metastatic brain tumors have more than twice the risk of developing learning and memory problems than those treated with SRS alone.[19][20]

[edit] Chemotherapy

Patients undergoing chemotherapy are administered special drugs designed to kill tumor cells. Although chemotherapy may improve overall survival in patients with the most malignant primary brain tumors, it does so in only about 20 percent of patients. Chemotherapy is often used in young children instead of radiation, as radiation may have negative effects on the developing brain. The decision to prescribe this treatment is based on a patient’s overall health, type of tumor, and extent of the cancer. The toxicity, the many side effects and the uncertain outcome of chemotherapy in brain tumors puts this treatment further down the line of treatment options for medical teams.

UCLA Neuro-Oncology publishes real-time survival data for patients with this diagnosis. They are the only institution in the United States that shows how brain tumor patients are performing

on current therapies. They also show a listing of chemotherapy agents used to treat high grade glioma tumors.

A shunt operation is used not as a cure but to relieve the symptoms. [21] The hydrocephalus caused by the blocking drainage of the cerebrospinal fluid can be removed with this operation.

Researchers are presently investigating a number of promising new treatments including gene therapy, highly focused radiation therapy, immunotherapy and novel chemotherapies. A number of new treatments are being made available on an investigational basis at centers specializing in brain tumor therapies.

[edit] Research to treatment with the vesicular stomatitis virus

In 2000, researchers at the University of Ottawa, led by John Bell PhD., have discovered that the vesicular stomatitis virus, or VSV, can infect and kill cancer cells, without affecting healthy cells if coadministered with interferon.[22]

The initial discovery of the virus' oncolytic properties were limited to only a few types of cancer. Several independent studies have identified many more types susceptible to the virus, including glioblastoma multiforme cancer cells, which account for the majority of brain tumors.

In 2008, researchers artificially engineered strains of VSV that were less cytotoxic to normal cells. This advance allows administration of the virus without coadministration with interferon. Consequently administration of the virus can be given intravenously or through the olfactory nerve. In the research, a human brain tumor was implanted into mice brains.

Research on virus treatment like this has been conducted for some years, but no other viruses have been shown to be as efficient or specific as the VSV mutant strains. Future research will focus on the risks of this treatment, before it can be applied to humans.[23]

[edit] Consequences for survivors

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As was pointed out above the presence of a brain tumor is a very critical and life threatening situation. The discovery of a brain tumor (except the lowgraded primary tumors) starts medically speaking a race against time.

The consequences - and chances of survival - of the treatment of secondary tumors (metastasis of other cancers) are hard to predict as it depends on the type and evolution of the treatment of the primary tumor, and to what extend a patient responds to treatment. A metastasized tumor is

always significantly more difficult to treat because secondary tumors might grow almost anywhere.

The consequences of treatment of primary tumors however is a totally different matter. Survival of the treatment of a (solid) neoplasm of the brain (and central nervous system) has dramatically increased over the years also for the higher graded tumors, also long term survival of (younger) patients is on the increase.

Patients with benign gliomas may survive for many years,[24][25] while survival in most cases of glioblastoma multiforme is limited to a few months after diagnosis if treatment is ignored (do nothing option), but cases are known of glioblastoma multiforme that have survived over 20 years and have a good quality of life after successful treatment, even after repeated treatment of early diagnosed recidive of a tumerous process.

After surgical treatment the medical team might decide further post-operative treatment with Radiotherapy and/or Chemotherapy. There are some adverse affects of these treatments but considering the impact of a brain tumor the loss of hair has mostly a cosmetic and psychological effect. Nausea is a well known side effect of chemotherapy that should be mo nitored and regularly reported to the medical team in an out-patient situation. Family members should be aware that whilst the radiotherapy is ongoing, healing of (external)surgery wounds in the area of the therapy is strongly influenced, in such case have the nurses monitor the evolution of such wounds daily after each radiotherapy session. Superficial infection might get hold of the wound if care is not given professionally.

[edit] Physical consequences

After surgery patients need time to recover physically. The first hurdles to take for the patient, after being released form the IC-unit and his vital signs are stable, are :

swallow reflex movement of limbs and detailed movements (fingers) being able to stand and equilibrium

Things that might go wrong in this phase of recovery is (partial) paralysis, incontinence, tremors and seizures(see below epileptic seizures), some of these effects are temporal, and might be overcome with rehabilitation.

Its important for family members to know that patients suffer a huge loss in weight and muscular mass. Small efforts like walking to the toilet will be an important physical effort, and walking from their hospital bed to a patient-family lounge or to the front door of the hospital will cause the patient to be tired. Rebuilding physical strength, some basic endurance and resistance will be a process of months even years even for previously well-trained athletes. The medical team will help you (the patient and the family) with training programs when the time is right for such programs.

[edit] Impact on the daily life of the family

After initial surgery when the patient returns to the home situation, they shouldn't be left unsupervised at all, your medical team will advise when the patient has regained enough independence to be left alone. Medication should be given at a strict regime nurse and your medical team will advise on how strict/flexible this should be adhered to. Keep a medical diary and note :

when medication is given (time, quantity) read fever/temperature at least twice a day (and every time fever is suspected) read heart rate and blood pressure every day note when nausea and pain is experienced note any situation out of the ordinary (pus coming out of a wound etc..), swelling etc.

Your life will - from the release form hospital onward - be regulated by the clock of the brain tumor patient medication and regular visits for check-ups.

[edit] Epileptic seizures

Any person undergoing brain surgery may suffer from epileptic seizures. Seizures can vary from absences to severe tonic-clonic attacks. Medication is prescribed and administered to minimize, eliminate the occurrence of seizures. Parents of children, family members of adults and relatives in general of patients that have undergone surgery to remove a brain tumor, and who haven't got the benefit of medical education or experience should be made aware of this fact. Experiences in patient-family support groups learn that they are informed but are actually totally unprepared for the occurrence of an Tonic-clonic seizure.

From personal experience this example: We were informed both by medical staff and by leaflets from family-support associations that our son could have epileptic seizure(s) as a consequence of the surgery, this forewarning wasn't sufficient. I had previously witnessed a few (tonic-clonic) epileptic seizures from epilepsy-patients under medication. Those patients would fall to the ground have some muscle spasms, and after a few minutes this would calm down, they would regain conscienceness, feel somewhat disoriented, get up and sit down on their chair as if they returned from the bathroom. On a scale of 1-10 such an attack would scale in at about 1 or at the utmost 2. As a bystander I just knew I had to free the throat-area from restricting clothing that would hinder respiration, and make sure the person having the attack would not hurt himself on furniture standing around. But when my son had a tonic-clonic seizure, just weeks after his surgery, I was totally unprepared. The first attack would be rated 4 or 5 at that scale mentionned before. Several tonic-clonic seizures, increasing in amplitude follow each other in a rapid tempo, within 10 minutes he underwent his 3rd attack without regaining conscienceness between the seizures, the 3rd attack could easily be rated 8. It was impossible to determine wether he had a heartbeat, or wether he was breathing, his skin colour turned grayish. I wasn't sure if i was doing enough to make sure he could continue to breath. I called in the emergency services. They dispatched a cardiac-ambulance unit and a emergency medical team (ER-doctor) and even with 4 staff I could still offer help (even if i was only holding the perfusion bag at one stage). Thanks to medication (intravenous valium) the next attack was calmed down in amplitude but continued

for perhaps as long as 30 minutes. Only after more than 2 hours my son regained some form of conscienceness, enabling him to respond to what we were saying. I think relatives should get video-based or multimedia training that prepares them to what they will experience during epileptic seizure and how they should respond to the situation. [26]

The level of anti-epilepsy medication varies from patient to patient and depends on the severity of the lesion. So the doctors have to experiment to determine the applicable level of medication, this could cause some more or less severe epileptic seizures, relatives in care of people recovering form surgery might find the first aid section useful reading.

[edit] Psychological and behavioral consequences

It might be very difficult to communicate at first with the patient, and family often will see that reaction isn't forthcoming or response comes very slow. This is perfectly normal and will wear off while the patient recovers, we might be talking weeks or months. At first family members might have to interpret answers like "yes", "no" and the tone of patient's grunts get an idea of the patients reaction. Friends coming to visit a patient might find him unresponsive or staring at the TV-screen. This is normal behavior, as the patient gets to grips with his condition he will learn to talk in phrases again and to express his ideas an feelings again, but in the beginning he will have difficulty finding the words to describe his feelings. In some cases, patients may react uninhibitedly towards some social conventions, they are not aware of that behavior and you should seek specialist help, in order to avoid adverse reactions towards caring relatives. If the reaction is verbal respond normally even if the reaction is negative, if the reaction is physical correct it, in any case react as if the patients action was normal within the social convention without shaming or punishing. Don't ignore or pretend as if nothing happened but seek professional help with your psychologist who can tell you how to respond and when its time to retrain this social conventional behavior.

[edit] Some practical consequences

[edit] Driving

A mundane and routine activity such as driving a car might be impossible after treatment of a brain tumor, that might be permanent or temporary. In many countries it is illegal to drive a car (motorvehicle) without being medically certified fit to drive. Doing so uncertified might invalidate your insurance. Having post-operative epileptic seizures disqualifies you for a period of time and requires you to get a medical certification to be able to drive again.

In the UK : In some circumstances you may not be allowed to drive for a period of time. If you have had an epileptic fit, the Drivers and Vehicle Licensing Association (DVLA) will not allow you to drive for a year after your last fit. You can then drive again provided you remain well.

If you have a braintumor and have not had any (epileptic) seizures, the DVLA requires that you do not drive for at least six months after surgery. Initially, your licence may only be for a short period.

If you drive some vehicles, such as a LGV (large goods vehicle) or a PCV (passenger carrying vehicle) you will not be able to drive for at least five years after surgery. If you have had any seizures you will not be able to drive this type of vehicle until 10 years after your last fit. In some circumstances, it will be recommended that you never drive these vehicles. You may require a medical assessment before your driving licence is renewed.

[edit] Occurrence of Brain tumors

International The incidence of low-grade astrocytoma has not been shown to vary significantly with nationality. However, studies examining the incidence of malignant CNS tumors have shown some variation with national origin. Since some of these high-grade lesions arise from low-grade tumors, these trends are worth mentioning. Specifically, the incidence of CNS tumors in the United States, Israel, and the Nordic countries is relatively high, while Japan and Asian countries have a lower incidence. These differences probably reflect some biological differences as well as differences in pathologic diagnosis and reporting.[27]

[edit] Worldwide figures

Worldwide data on incidence of cancer can be found at the WHO (world health organisation) and is handled by the AIRC (Agency for Interanctional Research on Cancer) located in France. [28].

Figures for incidences of cancers of the brain show a significant difference between more and less developed countries (i.e. the lesser developed countries have less incidences of tumors of the brain) this should be explained by undiagnosed tumor-related deaths (patient in extreme poor situations don't get diagnosed simply because they don't have access to the modern diagnostic facilities required to diagnose a brain tumor) and by deaths caused by other poverty related causes that preempt a patients life before tumors develop or tumors become life threatening. Nevertheless studies have been made that certain forms of primary brain tumors are more prevalent among certain groups of the population.

GB Office National statistics , online http://www.statistics.gov.uk/downloads/theme_health/2007cancerfirstrelease.xls

CBTRUS (Central Brain Tumor Registry of the United States), In the United States in the year 2005, it was estimated there were 43,800 new cases of brain tumors (Central Brain Tumor Registry of the United States, Primary Brain Tumors in the United States, Statistical Report, 2005–2006),[29] which accounted for 1.4 percent of all cancers, 2.4 percent of all cancer deaths,[30]

and 20–25 percent of pediatric cancers.[30][31] Ultimately, it is estimated there are 13,000 deaths per year in the United States alone as a result of brain tumors.[29]