What is a Brain Tumor?

Brain tumor is a disease that occurs when cells in the brain’s own tissue differentiate and proliferate uncontrollably, or when cancer cells existing in another part of the body reach the brain through the bloodstream and spread to this area.

Brain tumor is a disease that occurs when cells in the brain’s own tissue differentiate and proliferate uncontrollably, or when cancer cells existing in another part of the body reach the brain through the bloodstream and spread to this area. Brain tumors cause symptoms such as severe headache, nausea, vomiting, slurred speech, loss of strength in arms and/or legs, and visual impairment. In addition to some factors such as genetic transmission, radiation exposure, white race, different risk factors can also trigger brain tumor formation. Some limited studies have shown that cell phone use also causes brain tumors. This disease, which is seen in 1 in 3 to 5 people in every 100 thousand people in the society, is more common in men than in women. Brain tumor cases, which can be seen in almost every age range, are more common in children under the age of 10 and people over the age of 70. Brain tumor diagnosis can be made quickly with radiological examinations as well as neurological examination. Before discussing the types of brain tumors, “What is a brain tumor?” It is necessary to answer the question.

What is a Brain Tumor?

Brain tumor can develop in two different ways depending on its cause. In cases defined as primary brain tumor, the tumor occurs due to the uncontrolled proliferation of the brain’s own cells. Secondary brain tumor occurs when cancer cells occurring in different parts of the body, such as colon, pancreas, kidney and lung, enter the bloodstream and settle in the brain. In other words, secondary brain tumors develop due to metastasis. In both cases of brain tumor, the tumor begins to grow and due to the hard structure of the skull, the tumor puts pressure on the brain. In this condition, which causes increased intracranial pressure, neurological and epileptic (epilepsy) problems develop. In addition to all these, primary brain tumors are also classified as benign and malignant. Benign or benign tumors, medically defined as benign brain tumors, do not originate from brain cells. Since benign brain tumors, which grow extremely slowly, can be easily separated from the brain tissue, recovery after surgical intervention is rapid. Additionally, benign brain tumors rarely recur. However, in cases where benign tumors are not removed surgically, the tumor grows over time and puts pressure on the brain. This causes many different problems for the person. In addition, benign tumors have a risk of turning into malignant tumors over time. Malignant brain tumor is defined as a malignant tumor in medicine. This type of tumor, which grows much faster than benign tumors, is much more likely to damage brain tissue. Malignant tumors that are in close contact with brain tissue are more difficult to remove by surgery. In other words, the tissue in which malignant tumors form is the brain’s own tissue, and any tissue removed surgically causes loss of brain functions. Additionally, unlike benign tumors, malignant brain tumors have a higher risk of recurrence. All secondary brain types are considered malignant brain tumors. Before moving on to the treatment of brain tumors, the frequently asked question “What are the symptoms of brain tumors?” It is necessary to answer the question.

What are the Symptoms of Brain Tumor?

The skull, which protects the brain from external factors, is not anatomically suitable for expansion. When the disease first begins to form, it is in the form of a lesion, but as the stages of brain tumors progress, the tumor begins to put direct pressure on the brain due to the hard structure of the skull. The brain tumor, which continues to grow insidiously, usually does not cause any symptoms until this period. However, as the tumor grows, the pressure on the brain tissue and intracranial pressure increases. Depending on the location of the tumor, brain functions are affected and thus symptoms of brain tumors appear. Some of the common symptoms in brain tumor cases can be listed as follows:

• Headache: The first symptom that occurs as the tumor grows and increases intracranial pressure is headache. The headache complaint due to brain tumor is extremely severe and the headache does not decrease even though the person uses painkillers. As the brain tumor grows, the frequency and severity of pain increases. The headache complaint gets worse at night and the person complains of a headache when he wakes up in the morning. Actions that increase intracranial pressure, such as bending over or coughing, cause the headache to worsen.

• Nausea and Vomiting: In the presence of a brain tumor, complaints of nausea and vomiting accompanied by headache are observed. Vomiting, which usually occurs in the morning, may also be accompanied by hiccups.

• Numbness: Numbness develops depending on the size of the tumor. In this condition, which develops due to increased pressure on the brain tissue, the person’s need for sleep increases. Especially in children, a decrease in headache may be observed with vomiting.

• Vision and Speech Disorders: In addition to many visual disorders such as double vision, shifting shapes, fluctuating vision, blurred vision, loss of vision, the person may develop speech disorders such as not turning the tongue, not being able to remember words, pronunciation problems, lisping, not understanding what is spoken, due to the tumor.

• Seizure: Deterioration in brain functions occurs due to pressure on the brain tissue. In addition to symptoms such as twitching in the arms and legs or shaking of the whole body, short-term loss of consciousness may also occur.

• Balance Problems: In the presence of a tumor in the brain, the person may have difficulty in maintaining balance. It may become difficult to do basic skills such as standing up and walking.

• Personality Change: Personality changes may be observed in the patient depending on the area where the tumor is located. Someone who is normally very calm can turn into a combative and angry person. Altered consciousness and forgetfulness may be common.

What Causes Brain Tumor?

Today, it is not fully understood what causes brain tumors. However, it is known that genetics, or in other words family history, is directly related to some brain tumors. There are some risk factors that trigger brain tumor formation. Race is one of these risk factors. Brain tumors are more common in Caucasian people. Age is also related to brain tumor. Although brain tumors can occur at almost any age, they are more common in children under the age of 10 and adults over the age of 70. In addition to these, exposure to radiation, some hormones and chemicals are also risk factors for brain tumor formation.

How Does a Brain Tumor Occur?

Brain tumor occurs when brain cells proliferate uncontrollably. Cancer cells live much longer than healthy cells. The cell mass formed by the proliferation of these cells is called a tumor. In addition, many types of cancer existing in the body can metastasize to the brain. In other words, a type of cancer in a different part of the body can reach the brain by mixing with the bloodstream over time. This may lead to brain tumor formation.

Brain Tumor Diagnosis and Treatment

The person’s history is extremely important in the diagnosis of brain tumor. After taking the person’s anamnesis, the physician evaluates the patient with a neurological examination. Then, the diagnosis is clarified with radiological imaging methods such as CT and MRI. With radiological imaging, the presence of the tumor is observed and information about its size and location is obtained. In some cases, a brain biopsy may be required to clarify the diagnosis. Once the diagnosis is clarified, the treatment process is determined. It is essential to remove benign tumors by surgical methods. In malignant tumors, the treatment process after surgery is supported by radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Especially in benign and malignant tumors, complete surgical removal of the tumor is important in the treatment. Today, successful surgeries can be performed with minimal risk in hybrid operating rooms.