Is It a Brain Tumor?
It all starts with a headache. There is nobody who did not have a headache till now. It is one of the most common aches a person has. In fact, there are numerous types of headaches. But, do you have a headache along with worries, and anxiety? Do you check the internet for diseases with your symptoms? Then, you do have brain tumor!
Calm down, It is just a joke. The serious aspect of it is that half knowledge that is derived from the internet is dangerous. It has become a trigger of anxiety for many. It is always good to know about your body and good to know about medical conditions. But, for God’s sake, please do not jump to conclusions that you have a particular disease.
It is better to consult a doctor apart from satiating your need for medical knowledge. Anxiety is a major cause for many ailments! Please cure yourself of that acidic feeling of anxiety.
So, before jumping to any rash conclusion, know more about what headaches are and when that could be a manifestation of a brain tumor.
What is a Headache?
Actually, the brain does not feel any pain! The surrounding tissues, brain chemicals and the blood vessels and nerves produce the sensation of pain.
Types of Headaches:
- Rebound Headaches.
- Tension Headaches.
- Dental Headaches.
- Cluster Headache.
- Migraine.
- Caffeine Headaches.
- Orgasm Headaches.
- Early morning Headaches.
- Sinus Headaches.
- Ice cream Headaches.
- Chronic daily Headaches.
- Menstrual Headaches.
- Weekend Headaches.
- Emergency Headaches.
All these kinds of headaches can pose another headache! What is the source of your headache? Though every one of us has headaches, it is crucial that one can distinguish a harmless irritant versus a dangerous condition called brain tumor.
What is a Brain Tumor?
It is a mass of abnormal cells in the brain. It can form in any lobe of the brain. There are two kinds of brain tumor, the benign and the malignant. They can occur at any age. There are four grades of brain tumor, and the higher the grade, the more aggressive the tumor is. The most common types of brain tumours are astrocytoma, meningioma, oligodendroglia, medulloblastoma, ependymoma, and brain stem glioma.
Primary Brain Tumour:
A primary brain tumour is that which originates in the brain. This can either be benign or metastatic.
Secondary Brain Tumour:
A secondary brain tumor originates in some other part of the body and sends cells to the brain and they grow there, then that is called a secondary brain tumor. These are cancerous. Benign brain tumors normally have definite borders, and are not rooted deep in the brain tissue. Benign tumors also pose serious threats as they damage the cells around them and cause inflammation.
What does a tumor do?
- It invades and destroys the brain tissue.
- It puts pressure on the nearby cells and causes inflammation.
- It increases intracranial pressure.
- Induces fluid accumulation.
- Causes bleeding.
- Stops circulation of cerebrospinal fluid.
Symptoms of Brain Tumor:
Symptoms vary from person to person and depend upon the location of the tumor. Here is a list of symptoms that are felt by patients having brain tumor.
- Frequent Headaches.
- Seizures.
- Mood Changes.
- Personality Changes.
- Reduced Ability to think.
- Loss of Appetite.
- Vomiting.
- Decreased ability to learn.
- Difficulty in speaking and walking.
- Loss of sensation in the extremities.
- Vertigo.
- Blurred or double vision.
- Hearing Problem.
It is very important to get a medical evaluation immediately if you experience any of these symptoms. You need to consult a neurologist or a neurosurgeon immediately.
There are other conditions that mimic the symptoms of brain tumor. Pseudotumor Cerebri is one of them. It is also called false brain tumor. This condition manifests in the form of increased intracranial pressure, which might be due to lack of absorption of cerebrospinal fluid. Causes of pseudotumor cerebri range from obesity to treatment for other diseases.
It is for this reason that a thorough medical examination is very important.
Treatment for Brain Tumor
- Surgery.
- Radiation Therapy.
- Chemotherapy.
Brain Tumor Survival Rate
The survival rates of patients vary with the size, location, and the type of the tumor. Survival rates are generally measured in terms of the survival of the patients for five years after the diagnosis. Between the ages of 45 to 64 years, the survival rate percentage is 16%. The survival rate percentage for children is 55% . The survival rate percentage for people of the ages 15 to 45 years is also 55%.
Early diagnosis is a very important aspect in recovery. Constant follow up is also a major aspect of care and management as brain tumor is known to recur.
