As one can probably imagine, brain cancer is a complex diagnosis. While there are many types of brain cancer, this article will focus on primary brain cancer. The diagnosis of brain cancer can be very scary, but it is important to remember that no two cases are identical. It is essential that you contact your doctor as soon as you may suspect you are at risk. A clear distinction between the two major types of cancers that can occur in the brain can be made. There are primary brain cancers that originate within the brain and have the possibility of spreading to other areas of the body. Then there are primary cancers that originate in a variety of areas in the body and spread to the brain, at this point, making the brain the secondary location of the cancer. These types of brain cancer are known as secondary brain cancer. Determining the type will inevitably indicate the staging of the cancer, and the mortality associated with the cancer. The focus of this article will be on primary brain cancer, wherein the cancer originated in the brain.

There are many different signs and symptoms associated with brain cancer. They will vary to some degree based on the type of brain tissue that is being affected by the cancer. For example, a patient who has a cancer in the Occipital lobe of the brain will have generalized symptoms as well as symptoms that are focal to the Occipital area of the brain such as vision change. For those patients with a brain tumor invading the Temporal area of the brain, they will experience symptoms such as speech impairment. Symptoms will also vary on based on the size of the tumor and the other structures that are involved. There are generalised symptoms that should be considered red flags and warrant further evaluation to provide more conclusive results. Symptoms and signs to be aware of include: New onset of headaches. If you normally get headaches, try to notice if there is a difference in the pattern associated with your headaches. Headaches may become more frequent in number as well as more severe. If you have unexplained headaches, or new onset headaches, it is imperative that you see a physician so that further evaluation can rule out any serious medical conditions that may be life-threatening.

There are many different types of cells within the central nervous system that brain tumors can arise from. Primary brain tumors, as discussed above, are those that originate within the brain tissue. Each general type of tumor is named based on the type of cell that it arises from. Those different types of tumors include the following: Gliomas, Meningiomas, Acoustic Neuromas, Pituitary Adenomas, Medulloblastomas, Primitive Neuroectodermal Tumors, Germ Cell Tumors and Craniopharyngiomas. Within these classes of brain tumors, there are a variety of different brain tumors that have a degree of severity. Some of the tumors within these classes are less invasive and have a better chance of survival while others are more aggressive and have a higher mortality rate. This is just a general overview, so if it is suspected that you may have a possible brain tumor, it is imperative to speak with a board certified physician who specializes in CNS tumors. Gliomas are tumors that can occur within the CNS, which means within the brain or within the spinal cord. Tumors within this category include: astrocytomas, ependymomas, glioblastomas, oligoastrocytomas and oligodendrogliomas. Each of these tumors arise from glioma cells. Meningiomas are another class of brain tumors. These tumors actually arise within the meninges.

Diagnosing a brain tumor may occur because you are exhibiting symptoms that warrant investigation, or it may be an incidental finding. For example, if you fall and hit your head, you may come to the emergency department to make sure that you do not have a brain bleed; but when the CT scan of the brain is performed, the radiologist notes the incidental finding of a hypotenuse lesion within the frontal lobe of the brain. In these cases, the finding was incidental, but it is significant and warrants further investigation. The first step in diagnosing a patient with a brain tumor is to visit a board certified physician who specializes in the Central Nervous System (brain and spinal cord), such as a Neurosurgeon or Neurologist. The physician will perform a physical examination, focusing on the neurological function of the brain. The exam will include testing your cranial nerves, which will involve checking your vision, hearing and smell. It will also involve testing your ability to move your eyes in all planes of direction. Motor muscle strength and sensory evaluation will also be observed to determine if there are any sensory deficits. Finally your reflexes will be checked for balance and coordination.

Given contemporary advances in medicine, there are many different types of treatments for breast cancer available. A lot of those treatments will be multi-modal, and a combination of surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy. Each individual case is unique, and will require an individualized plan of care. Surgery is often recommended if the brain tumor is located within an area that is easily accessible. It depends on the type of brain tumor, but in some cases the tumors are small and not encompassing any other structures, so it will be easier to remove from the surrounding brain tissues. In other cases, the tumor has invaded many other structures and is stuck to the surrounding brain tissue. If this is the case, then surgery alone will not be sufficient to eradicate the cancer. Sometimes, some of the brain may have to be removed to ensure that the tumor is completely eradicated. However, at this point, it is a decision between the patient and physician to determine what is appropriate. All the risks and benefits of the surgery must be discussed beforehand, so that all expectations are realistic. Radiation therapy may be recommended as palliative/symptom alleviation or as a combination therapy. In radiation therapy, high-energy beams focus to kill tumor cells.