Signs of Brain Tumor

To contact us Click HERE
Under normal circumstances, the cells of the body are programmed to grow, divide and die. This process takes place in an orderly manner. During childhood, cells divide at a faster rate, so as to help in the growth and the development of the body. But when a person reaches adulthood, the division takes place only to replace cells that are dying, or have worn-out, and to repair injuries. Now due to certain factors, this very process malfunctions in some parts of the body; which in this case is the brain. Cells here may get triggered to grow at an abnormally rapid pace, and go on accumulating. This accumulation of cells, with time, takes the form of a tumor; which is an abnormal mass of a tissue. And when this occurs in the brain, it is known as a brain tumor. To know about the signs of brain tumor, and some more facts about the condition, keep reading what's next.

Brain Tumor FAQs
In this brief FAQs section, various queries about the condition of brain tumor would be answered, apart from the symptoms it exhibits.

# 1. How do I know if I have a brain tumor?
Ans: This is where we would discuss the different signs of brain tumor. It is important to understand that the signs are highly individual. They are influenced by what size the tumor is of, at what rate is it growing, and exactly where it is located. However, the signs and symptoms of brain tumor which experts have classified as general, may include:

• One of the most common and early signs of brain tumor is the occurrence of headaches, which are different from those that appear generally. These headaches seem to strike during sleep, and get worse in the morning, before getting better after a couple of hours.
• These headaches may get worse when the patient changes position, and may be accompanied by vomiting, nausea, and dizziness.
• It may be common for the patient to experience blurred vision, or double vision, as some of the brain tumor warning signs.
• The tumor may also cause balance problems, which might make it difficult for the person to walk, run, or take up similar activities.
• Some more probable signs of brain tumor may include speech difficulty, poor concentration, numbness in limbs, and confusion.
• Memory may get impaired as the brain gets affected, and so may one's hearing ability.
• Seizures

# 2. What can cause the tumor in me?
Ans: You now know about what are the signs of brain tumor to watch out for. Let's see, what factors are responsible for it. Basically, there are two kinds of brain tumor; one that has its origin in the brain itself, and the other one that has occurred somewhere else, and spread to the brain. The first one is known as primary brain tumor, and the other one, secondary brain tumor. Also, not all of these tumors are cancerous, as there are some which are benign (non-cancerous). According to experts, the primary ones begin as a result of some mutation in the DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) of the cells in the brain. And this mutation triggers the abnormal growth, thus, the tumor. And as said about the secondary form, it is caused by cancers that have occurred somewhere else. Common examples include colon cancer, breast cancer, cancer of the kidney and lungs, and melanoma.

# 3. What do I do if I have all such symptoms?
Ans: As soon as you begin to have all such symptoms, especially the headaches, then be wise and get yourself shown at the doctor's. There you might undergo a neurological exam, tests such as a CT (CAT) scan or MRI for brain imaging, and test for examining the fluid from the spinal cord. In some cases, a biopsy may also be conducted to make the diagnosis. It is nothing but the examination of a tiny sample of the brain, which is sent for a laboratory test, to determine the presence of cancer.

# 4. What help can I avail to deal with the problem?
Ans: Just like the symptoms, even the treatment is driven by the size, location and the type of the tumor that has developed, and also the overall health of the patient. The main options involved in the treatment may include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and radiosurgery. Speaking of surgery, it is fruitful in case of small tumors. However, if the tumor is big, then the surgeon would remove it until a point after which it may become risky. Also, if the tumor is located in sensitive areas, then surgery may be opted out.

Use of high-energy particles is what forms the main base of radiation therapy. Beams of these particles help in killing the tumor cells. In some cases, this method may also be used post surgery. In case of radiosurgery, it is similar to radiation therapy. Here, multiple beams of radiation are shot at the affected area to kill the tumor cells. Chemotherapy kills cancer cells with the aid of medications. These drugs may be administered orally or intravenously.

# 5. What is the importance of rehabilitation following the treatment?
Ans: As brain tumor may affect those parts of the brain which are responsible for the cognitive faculties of the patient, rehabilitation post treatment helps in recovering all such lost skills. The program may include therapy for improving lost motor skills like strength and balance, occupational therapy for improving daily activities, and speech therapy for communication issues, and swallowing problems.

And that ends my quick and to the point FAQs which gave you an insight on the signs of brain tumor, its possible causes, how it is diagnosed and what treatment options are available to deal with it. Hope you have found this session informative. If you wish to add more to this data, then you can always bookmark this page, and post your comments in the comment box provided below. Take care!