Types and Symptoms of Brain Tumors

Recent research by the American Cancer Society shows that the rate of cancer deaths have decreased significantly in recent years. Now 20% lower than its peak in 1991. While scientists still has a long way to go, there have been many advances in technology.

One surgical advances have helped to treat brain cancer is deep brain stimulation (DBS). ClearPoint technology has recently been made DBS is much more widely available to patients. Type neurosurgery done with lasers and proved to be faster and far more painful than traditional surgery.

There are many types of brain tumors that can get. Here is a brief description of the various types and symptoms of brain tumors:

Acoustic neuroma. This is the official name of vestibular schwannoma. These tumors grow in Schwann cells and is most common in middle age. Their main symptom is hearing loss, but the greater will also cause headaches, vomiting, and impaired consciousness. Other symptoms of acoustic neuromas neck pain. It can be treated with surgery and radiation therapy.

Astrocytomas. It is derived from glial cells in the cerebellum. They rarely leave the brain, but sometimes it will spread to the spinal cord. There are several types and grades of astrocytomas that can form different. They may develop at any age, although more severe cases commonly found in adults. One can function perfectly for years with astrocytomas. They can be treated either by surgery or therapy.

Glioblastoma multiforme. It is the most common type of brain tumor found in humans. They are the highest-grade astrocytoma and very dangerous because they spread quickly. This can cause a variety of symptoms, including seizures, vomiting, headache, and hemiparesis (weakness on one side of the body). They are very difficult to treat and different cases require different treatments. Some of the more common types of treatment include surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy.

Meningioma. It is an array of growing tumor of the meninges in the central nervous system. In most cases, they are benign. Resulting symptoms include weakness, focal seizures, and intracranial pressure. It is commonly seen, but in the case of malignancy, surgery or radiation can be done.

Pituitary tumors. Pituitary adenoma is a tumor located in the pituitary gland. This causes Hyperpituitarism which means that prolactin, adrenocorticotropic hormone and growth hormone is secreted. It will also cause headaches and also manifest in depression, anxiety, apathy, and emotional instability.