There are many different types of
brain tumors. They are usually categorized by the type of cell where the tumor
begins, or they are also categorized by the area of the brain where they occur.
The most common types of brain tumors include the following:
- Gliomas. The most common type of primary brain tumor is
a glioma. Gliomas begin from glial cells, which are the supportive tissue
of the brain. There are several types of gliomas, categorized by where
they are found, and the type of cells that originated the tumor. The
following are the different types of gliomas:
- Astrocytomas. Astrocytomas are glial cell tumors that
are derived from connective tissue cells called astrocytes. These cells
can be found anywhere in the brain or spinal cord. Astrocytomas are the
most common type of childhood brain tumor, and the most common type of
primary brain tumor in adults. Astrocytomas are generally subdivided into
high-grade, medium-grade, or low-grade tumors. High-grade astrocytomas
(glioblastomas) are the most malignant of all brain tumors. Astrocytomas
are further classified for presenting signs, symptoms, treatment, and
prognosis, based on the location of the tumor. The most common location
of these tumors in children is in the cerebellum, where they are called
cerebellar astrocytomas. These people usually have symptoms of increased
intracranial pressure, headache, and vomiting. There can also be problems
with walking and coordination, as well as double vision. In adults,
astrocytomas are more common in the cerebral hemispheres (cerebrum),
where they commonly cause increased intracranial pressure (ICP), seizures,
or changes in behavior.
- Brain stem gliomas. Brain stem gliomas are tumors
found in the brain stem. Most brain stem tumors cannot be surgically
removed because of the remote location and delicate and complex function
this area controls. Brain stem gliomas occur almost exclusively in
children; the group most often affected is the school-age child. The
child usually does not have increased intracranial pressure (ICP), but
may have problems with double vision, movement of the face or one side of
the body, or difficulty with walking and coordination.
- Ependymomas. Ependymomas are also glial cell tumors.
They usually develop in the lining of the ventricles or in the spinal
cord. The most common place they are found in children is near the
cerebellum. The tumor often blocks the flow of the CSF (cerebral spinal
fluid, which bathes the brain and spinal cord), causing increased
intracranial pressure. This type of tumor mostly occurs in children
younger than 10 years of age. Ependymomas can be slow growing, compared
to other brain tumors, but may recur after treatment is completed.
Recurrence of ependymomas results in a more invasive tumor with more
resistance to treatment. Two percent of brain tumors are ependymomas.
- Optic nerve gliomas. Optic nerve gliomas are found in
or around the nerves that send messages from the eyes to the brain. They
are frequently found in children who have neurofibromatosis, a condition
a child is born with that makes him or her more likely to develop tumors
in the brain. People usually experience loss of vision, as well as
hormone problems, since these tumors are usually located at the base of
the brain where hormonal control is located. These are typically
difficult to treat due to the surrounding sensitive brain structures.
- Oligodendrogliomas. This type of tumor also arises
from the supporting cells of the brain. They are found commonly in the
cerebral hemispheres (cerebrum). Seizures are a very common symptom of
these tumors, as well as headache, weakness, or changes in behavior or
sleepiness. These tumors have a better prognosis than most other gliomas,
but they can become more malignant with
time. About two percent of brain tumors are
oligodendrogliomas.
- Metastatic tumors. In adults, metastatic brain tumors
are the most common type of brain tumors. These are tumors that begin to
grow in another part of the body, then spread to the brain through the
bloodstream. When the tumors spread to the brain, they commonly go to the
part of the brain called the cerebral hemispheres, or to the cerebellum.
Often, a patient may have multiple metastatic tumors in several different areas of the brain. Lung, breast, and colon cancers frequently travel to the brain, as do certain skin cancers. Metastatic brain tumors may be quite aggressive and may return even after surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy.
- Meningiomas. Meningiomas are usually benign tumors that
come from the meninges, the outer coverings of the brain just
under the skull. This type of tumor accounts for about one
third of brain tumors in adults. They are slow growing and may exist
for years before being detected. Meningiomas are most common in older
patients, with the highest rate in people in their 70s and 80s. They are
commonly found in the cerebral hemispheres just under the skull. They
usually are separate from the brain and can sometimes be removed entirely
during surgery. They can, however, recur after surgery and certain types
can be malignant.
- Schwannomas. Schwannomas are usually benign tumors,
similar to meningiomas. They arise from the supporting cells of the nerves
leaving the brain, and are most common on the nerves that control hearing
and balance. When schwannomas involve these nerves, they are called
vestibular schwannomas or acoustic neuromas. Commonly, they present with
loss of hearing, and occasionally loss of balance, or problems with
weakness on one side of the face. Surgery can be difficult because of the
area of the brain in which they occur, and the vital structures around the
tumor. Occasionally, radiation (or a combination of surgery and radiation)
is used to treat these tumors.
- Pituitary tumors. The pituitary gland is a gland
located at the base of the brain. It produces hormones that control many
other glands in the body. These glands include the thyroid gland, the
adrenal glands, the ovaries and testes, as well as milk production by
pregnant women, and fluid balance by the kidney. Tumors that occur in or
around the area of the pituitary gland can affect the functioning of the
gland, or overproduce hormones that are sent to the other glands. This can
lead to problems with thyroid functioning, impotence, milk production from
the breasts, irregular menstrual periods, or problems regulating the fluid
balance in the body. In addition, due to the closeness of the pituitary to
the nerves to the eyes, patients may have decreased vision.
Tumors in
the pituitary are frequently benign, and total removal makes the tumors less
likely to recur. Since the pituitary is at the base of the skull, approaches
for removal of a pituitary tumor may involve entry through the nose or the
upper gum. Certain types of tumors may be treated with medication, which, in
some cases, can shrink the tumor or stop the growth of the tumor.
- Primitive neuroectodermal tumors (PNETs). PNETs are
much more common in children than in adults. They can occur anywhere
in the brain, although the most common place is in the back of the brain
near the cerebellum. When they occur here, they are called medulloblastomas.
The symptoms depend on their location in the brain, but typically the
patient experiences increased intracranial pressure. These tumors are fast
growing and often malignant, with occasional spreading throughout the
brain or spinal cord.
- Primary CNS lymphoma. Lymphocytes are carried in
lymph fluid in and out of the brain. A CNS tumor occurs when these cells
turn malignant. A weakened immune system may increase the risk of this
tumor.
- Medulloblastomas. Medulloblastomas are one type of PNET
that are found near the midline of the cerebellum. This tumor is rapidly
growing and often blocks drainage of the CSF (cerebral spinal fluid, which
bathes the brain and spinal cord), causing symptoms associated with
increased ICP. Medulloblastoma cells can spread (metastasize) to other
areas of the central nervous system, especially around the spinal cord. A
combination of surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy is usually necessary
to control these tumors.
- Craniopharyngiomas. Craniopharyngiomas are benign
tumors that occur at the base of the brain near the nerves from the eyes
to the brain, and the pituitary gland. These tumors are more common in
children and comprise only about 1% of all brain tumors diagnosed in the
U.S. Symptoms include headaches, as well as problems with vision. Hormonal
imbalances are common, which may lead to poor growth in children. Symptoms
of increased intracranial pressure may also be seen. Although these tumors
are benign, they are hard to remove due to the sensitive brain structures
that surround them.
- Pineal region tumors. Many different tumors can arise
near the pineal gland, a gland that helps control sleep and wake cycles.
Gliomas are common in this region, as are pineal blastomas (a type of
PNET). In addition, germ cell tumors, another form of malignant tumor, can
be found in this area. Benign pineal gland cysts are also seen in this
location, which makes the diagnosis difficult between what is malignant
and what is benign. Biopsy or removal of the tumor is frequently necessary
to tell the different types of tumors apart. People with tumors in this
region frequently experience headaches or symptoms of increased
intracranial pressure. Treatment depends on the tumor type and size.
Latest and Advanced Treatment options for
Brain Tumor in IndiaBrain Tumor is no more a scary health condition as modern technology and advanced surgical modalities now offer near perfect clinical outcomes and the patients can soon return to normal life after surgery.- Brain Suite - Intra-operative MR Navigation Microsurgery
- Trans-Nasal Endoscopic Removal of brain Tumor through the nose
- Stereotactic Radiosurgery - Gamma Knife & Novalis TX
- Tumor Embolization using Neuro Interventional Radiology
- CyberKnife Radiosurgery
- Brain Suite - Intra-operative MR Navigation Microsurgery
Please
scan and email your medical reports to us at care@medworldindia.com and we
shall get you a Free Medical Opinion from India’s Best Doctors.
Call Us : +91-9811058159
Mail Us : care@medworldindia.com
No comments:
Post a Comment