In the world, no one doubts that oncological diseases are the most severe and intractable. Among them, brain cancer is considered almost a "death sentence" for the patient. So what is this disease?
Brain cancer is called a malignant neoplasm inside the human skull, which occurs in the process of abnormal division of brain cells. Almost any group of cells (neurons; astrocytes; glial cells, lymphatic vessels, blood vessels, glands and meninges) can be subject to such division. Often, brain cancer occurs as a result of metastasis from other organs (hematogenous or lymphogenous route). The type of tumor is determined by the predominance of certain cells in it. Symptoms of the disease appear depending on the location of the malignant neoplasm and the affected tissues.
Brain cancer does not develop in a vacuum. For the occurrence of this disease, certain prerequisites are necessary (exposure to chemicals, radiation, harmful substances; consequences of injuries; viral infections; smoking), although human heredity also plays an important role in this. Although certain reasonscancer has not yet been established, most often it occurs due to abnormal growth of glial cells.
Depending on the location of the neoplasm and its composition, brain tumors are divided according to two classifications. According to the location of the tumor, they are divided into those that are in the brain itself and those that are outside it. The latter can also be metastases. According to the cellular content, neoplasms are divided into: shell (their integumentary tissues of the meninges arise); pituitary (appear in the pituitary gland); neuromas (occur in cranial nerves); disembryogenetic; neuroepithelial (formed from the brain). It is neuroepithelial tumors that account for 60% of cases of this disease.
The first symptoms of brain cancer appear when the malignant tumor grows in size. In the process of its growth, brain tissue is compressed and destroyed. Such symptoms are called focal or primary. The faster the neoplasm grows and the disease progresses, the stronger the general symptoms manifest, which include circulatory disorders and increased intracranial pressure.
Brain cancer, the causes of which can only be determined after a series of careful examinations and a study of the medical history, has certain focal symptoms. The most frequent of them are: sensitivity disorders (pain, tactile and thermal sensations); problems with the vestibular apparatus; epileptic manifestations; movement disorders; hearing and vision impairments; speech dysfunctions;hormonal disorders; vegetative disorders (jumps in pulse, pressure, dizziness); dementia; violations of coordination; hallucinations; psychomotor disorders (forgetfulness, distraction, irritability).
With an increase in intracranial pressure and squeezing of brain tissue, cerebral symptoms occur: constant and severe headache; vomiting and persistent nausea; frequent dizziness.
Brain cancer is diagnosed in 3 stages. At the 1st stage, a neoplasm is detected by focal and cerebral symptoms. At stage 2, differential diagnosis and a preliminary diagnosis are made. At this time, computed or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is performed. After the detection of the tumor, there is a 3 stage, at which the diagnosis is confirmed. At this time, the patient is hospitalized, a tumor biopsy is performed, and a therapy regimen is prescribed (irradiation, surgery, chemotherapy). At the initial stages, the therapy of brain cancer is based on uniform principles for the treatment of such diseases. Surgical intervention is based on excision of the tumor, but it is usually almost impossible to do this.
Spinal cord cancer, the symptoms of which sometimes resemble those of brain tumors (loss of sensation, impaired coordination, paralysis, movement disorders) is accompanied by severe back pain.
