Brain Cancer (Neurological Cancers)

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 How do other illnesses affect brain cancer?
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In most cases, cancerous brain tumors form when cancer spreads to the brain from another part of the body. Lung cancer is a common cause of this, along with colon, breast, and melanoma (skin) cancers. If you have had an organ transplant or previous... Full Answer
Q What treatments are available for ependymal tumors?
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Often, surgery alone is sufficient treatment for ependymoma, but specific treatment is based on each individual case. If the tumor cannot be completely removed with surgery, radiation therapy might follow the surgery. If the tumor comes back, additional... Full Answer
Q What is an ependymal tumor?
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The brain and spinal cord have areas that are filled with fluid. This fluid is used for protection and absorbs the shocks caused when people move about during their daily lives. Tumors called ependymomas occasionally form on the lining of these... Full Answer
Q What are the causes of central nervous system (CNS) tumors?
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Researchers don't really know why primary brain and spinal cord tumors develop. The possible causes under investigation include viruses, defective genes, exposure to certain chemicals and other hazardous materials, and immune system disorders. Although... Full Answer
Q How are central nervous system (CNS) tumors graded?
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The generally accepted scale for grading CNS tumors was approved by the World Health Organization in 1993. Grading is based on the tumor's cellular makeup and location. Tumors may also be classified as low-grade (slowly growing) or high-grade (rapidly... Full Answer
Q What is the prognosis for central nervous system (CNS) tumor?
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Prognosis of brain tumor depends on the following: Tumor type based on pathological examination of the tumor cells. Type of tumor (such as astrocytoma, oligodendroglioma, medulloblastoma or ependymoma). Location and size of tumor. Location can... Full Answer
Q How can radiation treat brain cancer?
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Radiation is a common treatment for brain cancer. People with malignant brain tumors may need several weeks of radiation treatments to reduce the size of their tumors, or to kill cancer cells that were not removed during surgery. If your surgeon can't... Full Answer
Q How can I help protect myself against brain cancer?
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Dr. Michael Roizen, Internal Medicine
There are several ways to defend yourself against brain cancer. Just do all the smart stuff that protects you from other cancers: Eat and exercise as if your life depends on it. Don't give up morning coffee or tea. Take extra vitamin D3. Drink... Full Answer
Q How are medulloblastomas diagnosed?
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To diagnose a medulloblastoma, a doctor will first perform a neurological examination, in which reflexes, alertness, coordination, muscle strength, and mouth and eye movement are tested. The doctor will also run some imaging tests, which may include CT... Full Answer
Q What radiation therapies are used for meningiomas?
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Radiation therapy is the treatment of tumors using X-rays and other forms of radiation (light energy) to destroy cancer cells or prevent the tumor from growing. It is also called radiotherapy. Radiation therapy may be used to treat meningiomas that are... Full Answer