An accumulation of aberrant brain cells is known as a brain tumor. The brain’s architecture is intricate, with several regions controlling various nervous system processes. Any portion of the brain or skull can develop a brain tumor.
The brain can develop more than 120 tumor forms depending on the tissue. Whether a brain tumor is cancerous (malignant), the symptoms are the same (benign). They could vary depending on the type, position, and tumor stage. Today, we are going to talk about common brain tumor symptoms.
Suppose you are facing any symptoms or have already been diagnosed with a brain tumor. In that case, you can book a consultation with a doctor at the Sahyadri Hospital Deccan through the Credihealth website.
What are the common brain tumor symptoms based on the different types of brain tumors?
The symptoms of a brain tumor will vary depending on which type of brain tumor a person has. Which symptoms an individual will encounter also depend on the tumor’s size and growth rate.
In the following sections, let’s examine the many types of brain tumors and their distinct symptoms.
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Meningioma
Meningiomas make up about one-third of initial brain tumors. They usually grow slowly and are benign. They pressure the brain and spinal cord because they develop from tissue protecting those organs. Children rarely get meningiomas, which are most prevalent in females over 60.
Meningioma symptoms can include:
- Changes in personality
- Headache episodes
- Seizures
- Weakness in an arm or leg
- Vision problems
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Glioblastoma
Malignant tumors include glioblastomas. They need more intense care since they can develop quickly. Medical specialists give Tumors a grade based on how aberrant the cells within them are. The lowest grade of tumors is grade 1, while the highest is grade 4. Grade 4 tumors include glioblastomas.
There is pressure on the brain caused by glioblastomas, and symptoms can include:
- Vomiting and nauseous.
- Headache attacks, possibly worse in the morning.
- Weakness in a body part, such as the face, a leg, or an arm.
- Balance problems.
- Memory issues
- seizures.
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Astrocytoma
Brain tissue comprises cells called astrocytes, the source of a tumor known as an astrocytoma. Grades 1 tumors grow more slowly than grade 4 tumors, ranging from 1-4.
Early signs of astrocytomas can include the following:
- Headache attacks.
- Loss of memory
- Convulsions
- behavioral changes.
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Craniopharyngioma
A benign tumor that grows near the pituitary gland is called a craniopharyngioma. Children are significantly more likely to experience it than adults are. In youngsters, medulloblastomas and ependymomas are also more prevalent.
The pituitary gland and the optic tract, an extension of the optic nerve, are under pressure due to this type of tumor. The following signs could result from this:
- Development delays
- obesity
- vision problems because of a swollen optic nerve
- hormone problems
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Pituitary tumor
Hormone levels are impacted by pituitary tumors, which form in the pituitary gland. They account for 9–12% of all primary brain tumors but are more frequent in females.
Larger tumors can pressure nearby brain regions because of their gradual growth. Pituitary hormones can be secreted by these tumors, resulting in different symptoms.
Pituitary tumor symptoms include:
- Severe headache
- Vision problems
- Behavioral changes
- Changes in hormone levels
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Metastatic tumor
Secondary brain tumors, also known as metastatic brain tumors, develop in other places of the body where cancer is already present and travel through the circulation to the brain.
The symptoms of primary and metastatic brain tumors are similar, with the following symptoms being the most prevalent:
- Incidents of headaches
- Seizures.
- Memory loss in the near term.
- Personality or behavior changes.
- One side of the body is weaker than the other.
- Difficulty balancing.
Can a brain tumor occur without any symptoms?
Symptoms of brain tumors are not always present. Meningioma, the most prevalent adult brain tumor, frequently progresses undetected because of its slow growth. Until a tumor is large enough to interfere with healthy brain tissues, symptoms might not appear.
How do doctors diagnose brain tumors?
Brain tumor diagnosis can be a challenging process that involves multiple specialists. But occasionally, doctors performing imaging tests for another illness could also find a brain tumor.
Your doctor will do a physical examination if you are showing signs of a brain tumor. Additionally, they’ll inquire about you and:
- Symptoms.
- Past and current health conditions.
- Current medications.
- Surgeries and medical treatments.
- Family medical history.
They might also conduct a neurological examination, which includes observing any changes in your:
- Balance and coordination.
- Mental status.
- Hearing.
- Vision.
- Reflexes.
To identify a brain tumor, medical professionals run several tests also, including:
- Brain MRI or CT scan- The most accurate imaging procedure for detecting brain cancers is magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). If you can’t get an MRI, computed tomography (CT) is a good option.
- Biopsy- To determine the type of tumor and if it is malignant, healthcare experts typically need to perform a biopsy of the tumor.
- Spinal tap- When doctors have reason to believe that the tumor has spread to the tissues that cover your brain, they perform this operation.
- Blood and cerebrospinal fluid tests- These tests help identify the tumor markers.
Conclusion-
Finding out you have a brain tumor can be frightening and stressful. However, not every brain tumor is malignant; around two-thirds are benign. However, they still have the potential to harm your brain.
If you encounter any of the symptoms mentioned above, you should see a doctor. Many symptoms are similar to those from other causes and could indicate another illness.
Keeping track of symptoms can assist a doctor in making a diagnosis. Monitoring the timing and frequency of symptoms is also helpful. You can book a consultation with a doctor at the Sahyadri Hospital Deccan through the Credihealth website for the best treatment.
FAQS-
How fast may a brain tumor develop?
A tumor develops more quickly, the more aggressive it is. Typically, a brain tumor can take months or even years to grow.
What results from a brain tumor that is not treated?
Any glioma may spread and encroach on nearby brain areas if untreated. As the brain is forced against the skull under pressure, it might sustain damage and lose its capacity to operate normally.
Can brain cancer be avoided?
Unfortunately, brain tumors cannot be stopped. Avoiding environmental risks like smoking and excessive radiation exposure can lower your risk of getting a brain tumor.
What can be done to stop the growth of a brain tumor?
Radiation therapy is one method that doctors may employ to delay or stop the growth of a brain tumor. It is frequently administered following surgery and may also be combined with chemotherapy.
Where do the majority of brain cancers begin?
They may begin directly in the brain or surrounding tissue. The meninges, which cover the brain, may be among the nearby tissue. Nerves, the pituitary, and the pineal gland can all develop brain tumors.
What causes brain tumors most often?
Similar to other cancers, alterations in the DNA of cells generate brain and spinal cord tumors. Our genes govern how our cells work and are made out of DNA.
Can a brain tumor be entirely cured?
A brain tumor may occasionally be curable if discovered early enough, although it frequently returns and cannot permanently be removed.
Do brain tumors run in families?
Fewer than 5% of brain cancers can be attributed to genetics. People who have certain hereditary disorders are more likely to get tumors.
