The growth and formation of abnormal cells that occur in copying during the regeneration of brain cells is called a brain tumor. Brain tumor, which can be seen at any age from newborns to elderly people, causes pressure inside the skull. This pressure and pressure makes the brain unable to fully perform its task, and patients show various symptoms. In particular, severe and prolonged headache, which is seen in approximately 60% of patients, is one of the important symptoms.
a malignant tumors can grow again. Glial tumors and metastatic brain cells are common among malignant tumors. Glial tumors, which are one of the most common brain tumors and cause cancer, multiply uncontrollably. As a result of this rapid growth, cancerous cells also affect the surrounding healthy cells. In this process, which is divided into grade I, grade II, grade III and grade IV, various treatment methods are applied to patients. Metastatic cells, on the other hand, are formed by the spread of cancerous cells seen in a different part of the body outside the brain to the brain. Although metastases, which constitute approximately 10% of all brain tumors, may originate from different organs such as the lung, stomach, and pancreas, the source of these cancerous cells cannot be detected in some patients.
How Is It Diagnosed?
The diagnosis of brain tumor is made as a result of imaging methods, medical history of the patients and neurological examination. In particular, Magnetic Resonance (MR) and brain tomography are the primary methods used during diagnosis. Thanks to MRI, it is possible to have information about both the anatomical condition of the brain and its biochemical structure. At the same time, it is possible to use imaging methods to determine the size, shape and location of the tumor. In some cases, angiography, radiography, CT and biopsy are also performed. As a result of pathological examinations, a brain tumor is definitively diagnosed.
What are the Treatment Methods?
In the treatment of brain tumors, besides surgical operations, radiation therapy (radiation) and drug therapy (chemotherapy) are also applied. In the selection of the right treatment method, the size, location, type of the tumor and the condition of the patients are taken into consideration. Surgical Operations Today, very successful surgical operations are applied to remove some or all of the tumors. Surgical operations consist of biopsy and microsurgery performed with the aid of a microscope. Biopsy is performed with the help of a needle from a point close to the tumor, especially in order to learn the type of tumor. Microsurgery is usually applied to remove the entire tumor. Microsurgery is preferred both to reduce intracranial pressure and to eliminate the symptoms caused by the tumor. Radiotherapy, which is one of the methods generally preferred in malignant tumors, includes the application of X-rays or gamma rays to the tumor area at regular intervals. The aim of radiation therapy, which is applied without damaging the healthy tissues around the tumors, is to prevent the growth of cells or to completely destroy these cells. Chemotherapy Within the scope of chemotherapy, it is aimed to prevent the proliferation of cells with drugs given to patients at regular intervals. Chemotherapy, which is widely applied to cancerous and malignant tumors, generally prolongs the life span of patients. Frequently Asked Questions
Brain tumors are more common in whom?
Brain tumor can be seen at any age from birth. However, it is more common in individuals over 70 years of age and in children younger than 10 years old. In addition to age, gender and being a Caucasian are also considered risk factors. Brain tumor is more common in men than women. Those with a family history of a brain tumor are also at higher risk of developing the tumor.
Is every headache a symptom of a brain tumor?
No. Headaches have a wide variety of causes, such as migraines, extreme stress, or high blood pressure. Headache, which is shown as a symptom of a brain tumor, is very severe, sudden and uncontrollable. This severe pain can also be a sign of a brain hemorrhage. In some cases, although the pain is non-violent, it continues for a very long time. In these cases, it is absolutely necessary to consult a specialist physician for examination.
Should all brain tumors be removed?
No. For some benign or congenital tumors, follow-up without surgery may be sufficient. It is sufficient to follow these tumors at regular intervals. In malignant tumors, the appropriate treatment method must be applied.
How common is a brain tumor?
The prediction of experts for brain tumor, which is seen as 5/100,000 today, is that the number of patients will increase in the coming years. Among the important reasons for this are the rapid increase in elderly individuals and the development of imaging techniques.