Brain Tumor: An Overview

Brain Tumor

A brain tumor is basically an abnormal mass or growth of abnormal cells that are present at any part of the brain. There are various forms of brain tumor that exists. Brain tumors can occur at any time to the individual. Brain tumors are basically of two types benign and malignant. The benign brain tumor is noncancerous whereas the malignant form of brain tumor is cancerous. Some cancer begins in other parts of your body and spread to the brain as a secondary brain tumor. The rate of growth of brain tumors greatly depends upon the location of the brain tumor and the function of the nervous system. There are various types of treatment options available that depend upon the condition, size, and location of the tumor.

Symptoms:

The signs and symptoms of brain tumors greatly depend upon person to person and the severity of the patient. Further, the symptoms also depend upon the location of the tumor as a different part of the brain is responsible for different activities. Signs and symptoms include:

  • Fatigue
  • Severe headache
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Blurred vision or double vision
  • Inability to make decisions
  • Hampered memory
  • Hearing issue
  • Seizures
  • Sudden unconsciousness
  • Loss of neural control
  • Sleeping disorders
  • Changes in speech, hearing, memory, emotional outbursts, aggressiveness, and mood swings are all common problems that a patient suffers.

Risk Factors involved:

Generally, there is no defined reason to have a tumor but there are certain things that increase the risk of having a brain tumor. Some of the risk factors include

Exposure to radiations: People who are frequently exposed to radiations are at greater risk of having a brain tumor. Radiation therapy is used in order to treat cancer patients and exposure to the radioactivity of atomic bombs is one of the reasons of brain tumors. Best oncology specialists in Udaipur takes special care of the patients while doing CT scans and MRIs so that there is minimum risk.

Genetics: People that have a family history of neural disorders and brain tumors are like to have more chances to have it.

Causes

Brain tumor originates in different parts of the brain such as brain covering or meninges, pituitary gland, pineal gland, and cranial nerves. Generally, it develops in normal cells by initiating mutations in the DNA of the cell. The DNA in a cell is responsible for its structure and function and any alteration in the DNA might cause several disorders. DNA in a cell is responsible for the growth of the cell, and the cell cycle comprises cell division and the health of the cell.

Types of Brain Tumor

Primary Brain Tumor: Primary Brain tumor originates in the tissues of the brain itself. It consists of glial cells and can be classified as benign or malignant tumors.

Metastatic Brain Tumor: It refers to a brain tumor that arises in another part of the body and migrates to the brain later on. This type of brain tumor is cancerous or malignant.

Craniopharyngiomas: This type of tumor is benign and difficult to remove because of its location as it is found deep in the brain.

Glomus jugulare: It is mostly benign and it is located just under the base of the skull, at the top of jugular vein.

Meningiomas: It is one of the most commonly found brain tumor that comprises of 10-15 percent of neoplasm, as the name suggests it originates from the meninges.

Schwannomas: It is the most common type of benign brain tumor in adults. It originates in the nerves cells and causes severe complications in the brain.

Gliomas: It is the most common type of malignant brain tumor found in adults, comprising of 78 percent of malignant brain tumors. There are further many forms of Gliomas tumor.

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What is lung cancer and how can we prevent it

Lung cancer starts in the lungs. Lungs are found in a pair in our body. It is spongy in nature as it expands and requires inhalation and exhalation. When we inhale or exhale, our chest expands and contracts while we breathe. The diaphragm also moves while we inhale oxygen and exhale carbon dioxide. Changes in lifestyle, environmental factors, pollution, and smoking are the major reasons for lung cancer. Chain smokers are at greatest risk of lung cancer along with people who are in contact with smokers. Passive smoking is more dangerous than active smoking as the person inhales a lot of smoke continuously without any problem. Lung cancer is caused when the normal cells grow continuously without stopping. In order, to reverse the cell cycle it is necessary to change a life, induce healthy eating habits, quits smoking, and consult a doctor as early detection plays a vital role in curing cancer.

Symptoms:

• Headache • Excruciating pain • Hoarseness • Severe chest pain • Coughing up blood • Uncontrolled coughing; pain in the throat • The problem in swallowing food • Fatigue • Blood clots • Sudden weight loss • Loss of appetite

Risk factors involved:

Though lung cancer can affect anyone there are certain factors that increase the risk of having lung cancer. Some of the factors include:

Smoking: Smoking is one of the biggest risk factors which is responsible for spreading lung cancer. Tobacco causes cancer in 9 out of 10 people in men and 8 out of 10 in women. The earlier a person starts smoking per day the greater the person is at risk of having lung cancer. A person who smokes and drinks as well, is at greater risk of developing lung cancer.

Passive smoking: Passive smoking is more dangerous than active smoking as they continue to breathe in the smoke continuously without even knowing. A smoker usually breathe outs all the smoke but the person who is near the smoker inhales that smoke continuously that causes lung damage. The continuous exposure to smoke is the most common reason of lung cancer.

Inhalation of pollutants and toxic elements such as a doses arsenic, chromium, beryllium, nickel or tar in workplace is also a risk factor in causing lung cancer.

Further, being exposed to radiation such as in Radiation therapy, Radon at home or workplace, certain imaging tests such as CT scan are some of the risk factors of having lung cancer.

Air pollutants have some very harmful chemicals and gases that are very harmful for our body after inhalation. Further, environmental factors are responsible for spread of lung cancer.

Preventive measures:

One can prevent lung cancer by avoiding the risk factors.

Quit smoking: Quitting smoking is not a one day process, it takes time and should be done gradually. If a person stops smoking suddenly in that case the body rejects it and the system might even collapse in worst case scenario. Therefore, it is advisable before quitting smoking; one should consult a doctor and gradually stop smoking. Quitting smoking reduces the risk of having cancer in a considerable amount. Tobacco contains over 600 chemicals that are capable of causing 60 different types of cancer. The chemicals directly pour in the lungs that damage the lungs and then enter the blood from which it can spread and cause damage to any organ. The best cancer specialist in Jaipur usually advices their patients to quit smoking gradually.

Healthy diet and changes in lifestyle along with regular exercise also helps in preventing lung cancer. Further, restraining yourself from harmful chemicals in case if you are exposed to it, also reduces risk factors associated with lung cancer.

Bhagwan Mahaveer cancer hospital and research center have one of the lung cancer hospitals in Jaipur. We have a team of specialized Oncologists and experts in cancer treatment in Jaipur, who are always available in case of any emergency or query.