Tumors and Brain Injury

While less common than stroke, tumors are also a leading cause of brain injury. Much less is known about the cause of brain tumors than about stroke, however, and the available treatment options are less satisfactory. These out-of-control cell growths can put pressure on the brain and inhibit brain function, leading to various types of cognitive impairment.

Types of Brain Tumors

Brain tumors come in two basic types, primary and metastatic. Primary brain tumors originate in the brain, whereas metastatic ones are the result of other tumors spreading throughout the body. Primary brain tumors are categorized based on the type of cells they are made up of. They are also classified on a scale of I to IV, where I is benign and IV in malignant. Half of all brain tumors are benign, meaning their cells grow normally, and they do not spread to other parts of the body as a cancer would. Even benign cancers may cause loss of function, however, depending on their size and placement in the brain.

Their Cause

No one really knows why brain tumors form. A number of large studies have been conducted, but no substantial risk factors have been found, besides age. Most tumors occur in adults aged 55-65, or between children ages 3-12. A small percentage of brain tumors are the result of hereditary disorders, such as Turcot’s syndrome, von Hippel Landau disease, and tuberous sclerosis.

Symptoms

Headaches are the main symptom of brain tumors. These headaches have special characteristics: pain is worse in the early part of the day than the afternoon; they also can come with nausea, vomiting, double vision, or weakness. Seizures may also be a symptom of tumors above the cerebellum region of the brain, although it’s important to remember than nearly all seizures are caused by something other than a brain tumor. People with brain tumors may develop unusual behavior, like having trouble reasoning or experiencing emotional outbursts and confusion.

Other potential symptoms:

  • Vision loss
  • Hearing loss
  • Loss of sensation in one arm or leg

Treatment

Surgery is the main treatment for brain tumors. Excising a tumor can help remove pressure in the brain and reverse the symptoms and cognitive impairment caused by the tumor. Radiation and chemotherapy may be used for tumors that cannot be operated on, or in conjunction with surgery to prevent a recurrence of the tumor. Other medications can help reduce brain swelling and seizures associated with tumors.

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