Brain Cancer (Neurological Cancers)
A neurological disease, brain cancer can grow aggressively and cause seizures, muscle weakness, behavioral changes and hearing loss.
When abnormal cells form in the brain, they force out healthy ones and cause tumors to develop. These tumors often start in the brain or in nearby tissues, such as the outer covering of the brain called the meninges, the cranial nerves or the pituitary and pineal glands.
Although the exact cause of brain cancer is unknown, your risk increases if you smoke cigarettes, have been exposed to radiation to the head, or have been exposed to certain chemicals.
Cancerous tumors that spread can interfere with our central nervous system, which controls all of our bodys processes. Tumors that begin in the brain are much more rare than tumors that begin elsewhere and then spread to the brain. Cancers that start in the breast, colon, kidney or lungs commonly spread to the brain.
Recently Answered
- Q Where can I get more information about my child's craniopharyngioma?
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There are many organizations and online forums that provide support and information for people with craniopharyngiomas. Support groups are very helpful for people with craniopharyngiomas because they provide both emotional support and advice on... Full Answer
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- Q Do children need follow-up care after craniopharyngioma removal?
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Most doctors recommend that children frequently return for follow-up after craniopharyngiomas are removed. Although the rate of recovery after tumor removal is very good, doctors will monitor children for years after surgery to ensure that the... Full Answer
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- Q What is the most important thing to know about craniopharyngiomas?
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The most important thing to know about craniopharyngiomas is that they are benign tumors. This means that they do not cause cancer, and the chance of full recovery for your child is very good. Talk to your doctor to get the best treatment available for... Full Answer
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- Q What are some potential complications after craniopharyngiomas are removed?
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Craniopharyngiomas sometimes develop near the parts of the brain that are responsible for growth or vision. Therefore, sometimes children lose their vision or don't grow as much as they should when a tumor compresses areas of the brain such as the... Full Answer
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- Q What is the rate of incidence for craniopharyngiomas?
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Craniopharyngiomas are somewhat common and usually affect children of either gender aged five to ten. In fact, more than half of the people diagnosed with craniopharyngiomas are under the age of 18. However, some adults have been known to develop... Full Answer
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- Q Should my child see a doctor about craniopharyngioma symptoms?
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If your child is experiencing any craniopharyngioma symptoms, you should talk to a doctor. Call your child's pediatrician if your child experiences nausea, vomiting, loss of balance, headaches, excessive thirst and urination, stunted growth, or vision... Full Answer
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- Q How do I know if my child has a craniopharyngioma?
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According to doctors at Harvard Medical School, children with craniopharyngiomas usually have very specific symptoms. In most of the cases, children had symptoms of nausea, vomiting, and headache. The next most common symptoms were vision problems,... Full Answer
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- Q Do craniopharyngiomas occur more often in children than adults?
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Craniopharyngioma occur more often in children, though there are some cases of craniopharyngiomas in adults. Doctors speculate that craniopharyngiomas are caused by leftover tissue that was used to form the pituitary gland in the growing embryo. However,... Full Answer
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- Q When is radiation therapy not recommended to treat craniopharyngiomas?
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Radiation therapy applies intense energy waves to the craniopharyngioma tumor to shrink or destroy it. This treatment is effective, but it takes time to destroy the tumor. Sometimes people have craniopharyngiomas that need to be removed immediately... Full Answer
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- Q How does a craniopharyngioma affect the body?
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Craniopharyngiomas can affect the body in a variety of ways. For instance, damage to the pituitary gland can cause changes in thyroid functioning and consequently, changes in the body's metabolism. The adrenal gland, which secretes hormones during... Full Answer
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