What are the symptoms of the onset of cancer? Much has been said about this. But, unfortunately, a high percentage of people living with this terrible disease. And often very short lives. Indeed, in most cases, cancer is diagnosed already in the last stages.
Despite the fact that a brain tumor is quite rare among all cases of oncology, the early symptoms described in the article may make someone seriously think and visit a doctor…
Just remember that all the signs that will be discussed can characterize a completely different ailment. So don't pass judgment on your own! After all, even doctors on the basis of only one symptomatology never make a diagnosis.
Types of tumors
These phenomena are quite rare. Among all types of tumors, they make up only 1.5%. But, unfortunately, they are fraught with great danger, since they are quite difficult to treat. A brain tumor looks rather unsightly in the photo. However, it is worth remembering that not every one of them carries a mortal threat.
All tumors are divided into the following types:
- Benign. There are no malignant cells in such neoplasms. They are easily removed surgically. Such a tumor, as a rule, cannot arise again. Its boundaries are strictly marked. Tumor cells do not penetrate into neighboring tissues. However, even a benign tumor can cause a number of negative consequences. Depending on the location, it affects one or another sensitive area of the brain. As a result, there is an increase in intracranial pressure.
- Malignant. These tumors are very life threatening. They tend to grow rapidly and penetrate into neighboring tissues. Consider the photo below. A brain tumor affects all tissues in its path. Sometimes malignant cells separate. They can move to any other tissue - unaffected areas of the brain, both the brain and the spinal cord. In some cases, an encapsulated tumor is observed. Metastases of the above type do not affect he althy tissues. The tumor is strictly limited to either the skull bones or other structures.
Causes of the problem
Oncological pathology of the brain is the result of abnormal cell division. Why do they, once completely he althy, begin to behave in this way? This question is asked not only by patients, but also by doctors and scientists trying to find an answer. However, until now, the causes of brain tumors have been little studied. This question causes a lot of controversy among specialists.
Only a few factors that can cause a tumor are clearly indicatedbrain. The reasons are as follows:
- Genetic inheritance. People who have close relatives with brain cancer are at risk for this disease. However, scientists have not found direct evidence for this. Therefore, the question of the transmission of oncology "by inheritance" remains open. However, quite often there are cases when neoplasms occur precisely in those patients who have already had this ailment in their family history.
- Radioactive exposure. Workers whose work is associated with the nuclear industry, hazardous production, are exposed to great danger. Employees of scientific laboratories that work with radioactive substances, patients who have undergone radiation therapy, complement the risk group.
- Chemical industry. Exposure to mercury, lead, vinyl chloride, acrylonitrile on the body can have quite serious consequences. These components are usually used in the manufacture of synthetics, textiles, and plastics.
- Injuries. Sometimes the causes of a brain tumor stem from any intracranial injuries, bruises, even those received in early childhood.
- Bad habits. Alcohol abuse, excessive smoking can lead to cell mutations. Often this ends with their transformation into malignant ones.
- Pathologies in the body. The immunodeficiency virus, chemotherapy, organ transplantation sometimes provoke the formation of tumors. Long-term use of antibiotics is unsafe.
Does mobile phone affect brain tumor?The reasons may lie in the use of this means of communication. The above factor has not been fully studied by specialists.
Stages of the disease
There are 4 degrees that characterize the course of a disease such as a brain tumor. Stages can change very quickly. There are cases when it was not even possible to identify them.
Let's take a closer look at the expressed degrees of the disease:
- Stage 1. The initial stage is characterized by the slow development of the neoplasm. Cells affected by the disease, a small amount. At this stage, the tumor is subject to surgical intervention. The outcome of the operation is usually favorable.
However, the signs of a brain tumor at this stage are very mild. Patients may experience weakness, dizziness, and pain. It is unlikely that anyone associates these symptoms, characteristic of many diseases, with oncology. Therefore, most of the people do not undergo a complete diagnosis of the body. And only she is able to determine the development of the disease.
- Stage 2. The tumor begins to slowly cover the adjacent tissues. Despite this, surgery is still allowed. A patient undergoing surgery has a high chance of being cured.
If we consider the signs of a brain tumor, then nausea is added to the above, vomiting is possible. These phenomena are completely unrelated to the process of eating. The gag reflex is caused by a change in intracranial pressure. The patient may experience epileptic seizures, convulsions.
It is worth emphasizing again: if there is a brain tumor, the stages described above (1 and2), operable. With them, the chance to get rid of the disease is simply huge.
- Stage 3. The disease is progressing. The disease poses a threat to the life of the patient. Malignant cells rapidly invade tissues. Doctors often classify this stage as an inoperable brain tumor. Treatment is symptomatic with various medications.
- Stage 4. The most dangerous degree of oncology. The prognosis is unfavorable. The rapidly growing tumor affects almost the entire brain. The patient "melts" right before our eyes.
However, there are cases of successful surgical intervention. For example, if the neoplasm is located in the temporal region. Further radiation and chemotherapy can stop the process of dividing malignant cells. But often this degree is characterized by an irreversible process. Any treatment can only slow down the course of the disease.
Early symptoms
According to the accepted medical classification, brain cancer is divided into two types:
- Primary. Produced directly in brain tissue.
- Secondary. Occurs as a result of a metastatic lesion.
Regardless of location and type, the first signs of a brain tumor appear in exactly the same way. Of course, it cannot be ruled out that all the symptoms described below refer to a completely different ailment. But you can be sure of this only by visiting a doctor. Develop all your doubts, exclude the terrible diagnosis - "brain tumor".
Early symptoms:
-Headache. It is this symptom that is almost always detected at an early stage. The intensity and variety of this symptom depends on the location of the tumor.
However, some patterns can be identified:
- Pulsating pain in the head.
- Severe discomfort after sleep. The headache goes away after a few hours. Sometimes discomfort may be accompanied by vomiting and confusion.
- Headache associated with double vision. There is muscle weakness, sometimes a failure of tactile sensitivity.
- Painful sensation, greatly aggravated by changes in posture, physical exertion, and even coughing.
Don't rush to make a verdict. Although headaches are classified as early symptoms of a brain tumor, statistics show that only 1% of patients with such signs have an intracranial neoplasm. Only a competent doctor can make a correct diagnosis based on the diagnosis.
In the case of pain as a result of a tumor in the brain, their constancy is noted. As a rule, drugs in the fight against such a problem are powerless. Most often, discomfort can be observed in the morning.
- Dizziness. Quite a typical symptom. It does not depend on the posture of the body at all. Dizziness occurs as a result of increased intracranial pressure. If the tumor is located in the cerebellum, it can put pressure on the center of the vestibular apparatus. This is another reason for thedizziness.
- Drastic weight loss. The human body is designed in such a way that a slight weight loss is quite possible. This is especially often observed in the hot period. However, sudden weight loss should alert you. This phenomenon may indicate the development of oncology. The tumor, synthesizing biological substances, seriously disrupts metabolic processes. As a result, the patient rapidly loses weight.
It is important to understand that it is not only a brain tumor that manifests itself in this way. Early symptoms of cancer in any organ include rapid weight loss.
- Rise in temperature. One of the most common symptoms of the disease. Rising to extremely high levels, it can persist for a long period without falling. This sign characterizes the work of the immune system. Oppressed by cancer cells, she tries with all her strength to resist a formidable enemy.
- Weakness. The patient begins to tire fairly quickly. He is haunted by a feeling of weakness. This sign indicates the release of tumor waste products into the blood. The body is intoxicated. This symptom is often accompanied by vomiting. The patient has anemia due to tumor damage to the blood vessels. This also leads to a breakdown.
- Vomiting. A brain tumor may present with nausea. As a rule, in the early stages it occurs in the morning, even before meals. Vomiting can occur quite unexpectedly, even when the position of the head changes.
Subsequently with the progression of the diseasethere are other, more characteristic signs of a brain tumor in adults. This is a deterioration in vision, smell, hearing. Even mental disorders are possible.
Tumors in children
Almost 16% of all malignancies detected in babies are brain cancer. Medulloblastomas are the most common in children. They rarely metastasize. Their symptoms are mainly due to the pressure of the neoplasm.
Brain tumors in young children are manifested by an increase in head circumference, tension and swelling of the fontanel. Divergence of the cranial sutures is noticeable. On the surface of the head of a newborn, a venous network may appear. In older children, increased intracranial pressure is sometimes not detected as a result of divergence of the sutures of the skull.
Symptoms of a brain tumor in children are almost the same as in adults. However, the baby is not able to complain about the headache when it comes to the baby. As a rule, the problem is determined by the behavior of the child. The kid periodically becomes restless, screams piercingly. As a rule, children rub their face or head, constantly pulling their hands to it.
Morning vomiting may also be typical. At the initial stage, this phenomenon is repeated at least 1-2 times during the week.
A common symptom is a change in the fundus. Visually, you can observe small swelling or hemorrhage in the retina. This is fraught with visual impairment, and can often lead to blindness.
Seizures are rare. Themthe presence indicates a large tumor. Other signs are associated with the localization of the disease.
All of the above symptoms make it possible to suspect a brain tumor. And, despite the fact that the diagnosis of this problem is quite difficult, identifying the disease at an early stage will give the baby a chance for a full recovery.
Disease detection
Even the most distant and mild signs, somewhat reminiscent of those described above, should be the most serious reason to immediately consult a doctor for a detailed examination. Modern diagnostic methods include many activities.
The most effective ways to detect an ailment are:
- MRI - magnetic resonance imaging;
- MEG – magnetoencephalography;
- CT - computed tomography;
- angiography;
- SPEFRT - single photon emission computed tomography;
- lumbar (spinal) puncture;
- PET, or Positron Emission Tomography;
- biopsy.
After the diagnosis, the further fate of the patient is decided. We are talking about a possible hospitalization for further examination of the disease. As a rule, this happens already in the oncology center. The main goal of further examination is to choose the right methods of treatment.
Methods of dealing with the disease
The elimination of any malignant formation includes three main areas: chemotherapy, radiation and surgery. The fight against this disease has its own characteristics. Chemotherapy is ineffective if there is such a diagnosis as a brain tumor. Treatment is mainly based on surgical removal of the neoplasm.
However, not all tumors can be completely removed. Much depends on their localization. Sometimes the neoplasm can be placed in vital structures. Getting rid of these tumors completely will lead to brain damage. In this case, only the permissible part is removed, and the remainder is destroyed by radiation or chemotherapy.
An alternative to surgical intervention is new technologies - cyberknife, gamma knife. Such methods allow a high dose of radiation to overcome a brain tumor. The treatment is so effective that it is often used in the early stages as the main method of struggle.
Today's medicine develops and introduces new methods of surgical intervention. These are ultrasonic and laser techniques. The main goal of development is to minimize injuries.
Radiotherapy is given a week after surgery. The course depends entirely on the size of the malignancy. It varies from seven days to twenty-one.
There is another way to deal with the disease. This is cryosurgery. This method allows you to freeze the brain tumor. Treatment is considered quite effective. Liquid nitrogen is used to freeze cancer cells at low temperatures.
Forecast and consequences
Timely adequate diagnosis is a chance to successfully recover from brain cancer. The treatment carried out in the above threedirections, guarantees an excellent forecast. The statistics are as follows - the five-year survival rate for patients diagnosed with cancer in the initial stages is from 60 to 80%.
It is a sad picture if a brain tumor is diagnosed late. The consequences may be irreversible. The impossibility of surgical treatment leads to disappointing statistics. The survival rate of such patients over a five-year period is only 30-40%. Of course, first of all it depends on the size of the neoplasm.
What can I do to sleep peacefully?
If you notice at least one of the alarming symptoms, be sure to go to the doctor. See a therapist first. Carefully collected tests will allow you to make a diagnosis or congratulate you on good he alth.
If the examination is impossible, start small - donate blood biochemistry. An ophthalmologist will see indirect signs of a possible danger by examining the fundus.
If necessary, you will be advised to undergo a more thorough diagnosis. However, it is completely possible that all your fears are in vain.
Conclusion
Unfortunately, quite often a brain tumor is detected already in the last stages. Symptoms at an early stage - headache and fatigue - are not taken by people for serious signs of an insidious disease. In most cases, unfortunately, this is what happens. However, it is always important to listen to the signals given by your own body. Sometimes a headache is the first bell announcing the development of a malignanteducation, localized in the brain.
