brain tumor in adults

What is a brain tumor

“Brain tumors,” he says. oncologist Alexander Seryakov, are intracranial neoplasms, including both tumor lesions directly in the brain tissue, and nerves, membranes, vessels, and endocrine structures of the brain. Such formations can be benign or malignant in nature.

Benign tumors put pressure on certain areas of the brain that are directly adjacent to the tumor, and can lead to disruption of the functioning of individual structures in the brain itself.

A malignant tumor is distinguished by a very rapid growth and the ability to grow into the surrounding tissues. Glioma is one of the most common types of malignant brain tumor. Its most aggressive variety is glioblastoma. It grows rapidly, has no clear edges. Poorly treatable, with a high percentage of relapses.

Other malignant brain tumors include:

• meningiomas – tumors of the meninges;
• neuroepithelial tumors (gangliomas and astrocytomas);
• Neurinomas are special tumors from the shells of nerve cells.

Causes of a brain tumor in adults

Scientists have not yet determined the exact cause of tumors, but there are suggestions that their growth is related to the action of radioactive radiation, toxins penetrating the body, and environmental pollution. In children, the development of congenital neoplasms is possible – one of the reasons is considered violations of intrauterine development.

Traumatic brain injuries can become a possible factor, they can also activate an already existing process.

There is evidence that some of the brain tumors can develop after radiation therapy prescribed for the treatment of other pathologies, immunosuppressive treatment, and HIV infection. There is a genetic predisposition to certain types of brain cancer. But for many people, the cause remains unknown.

About 10 – 30% of brain tumors are of metastatic origin – these are cells that are brought into the brain vessels, tissues, membranes by the blood stream (less often lymph). About 60% of these tumors are multiple.

Most often metastasizes to the brain:

• in men – lung damage, colorectal cancer, kidney damage;
• in women, breast cancer, melanoma, colorectal and lung cancer.

Intracerebral metastases occur with cancer of the uterus, digestion, or prostate.

Signs of a brain tumor in adults

Focal symptoms are often among the first to appear. They arise due to the pressure of the tumor on the surrounding tissues and chemical reactions to foreign cells, hemorrhages, blockage of blood vessels by a tumor embolus, compression of tissues and nerves. As the tumor grows, symptoms from neighboring areas join, then general brain symptoms. If the tumor is large, the so-called mass effect may occur (the main structures of the brain are displaced, the cerebellar region is wedged into the opening of the skull).

One of the early signs is a headache. It is usually local, occurs due to irritation of blood vessels, nerves, meninges. There may be diffuse pain throughout the head, it is typical for lesions of the meninges. By nature, the pain is paroxysmal, deep, intense or arching. Another sign is vomiting, which is not associated with eating. It may or may not be at the peak of the headache.

Dizziness occurs in the form of dips, rotation of the body or objects around. Muscle weakness, muscle hypertonicity, uneven on one side and the other of the body, changes in tendon reflexes are possible. The muscular-articular feeling may also suffer – sensations during movements, pressure, vibration.

For many tumors, a convulsive syndrome is typical – sometimes it becomes the first sign of brain damage. There may be absences or tonic-clonic seizures, Jacksonian epilepsy. In some people, an aura before attacks is also possible. With the growth of the tumor, there may be partial convulsions or a decrease in the activity of the foci.

Tumor growth increases the severity of symptoms. Visual hallucinations, severe memory disturbances, attention disturbances, and thinking problems may occur.

There may be problems with vision, congestion in the optic nerve – these are flies before the eyes, blurred vision, veil, blurred vision. Fields of vision may be lost.

Additionally possible:

• hearing loss;
• aphasia;
• ataxia;
• eye movement disorders;
• hallucinations (auditory, gustatory);
• vegetative dysfunctions.

If the hypothalamic-pituitary region is affected, hormonal metabolism suffers.

Stages of a brain tumor in adults

For a cancerous lesion, staging is typical, which determines the possibilities of treatment and prognosis, typical signs and symptoms. In total, 4 stages are distinguished – from the mildest to the most severe.

• The first stage – with it, one of the parts of the brain affects a small neoplasm, a nodule, there is no penetration into neighboring tissues, pressure on the surrounding areas of the brain.
• The second stage – tumor growth is slow, but there is penetration into neighboring areas;
• The third stage – the tumor changes its structure, the cells divide faster, neighboring sections and tissues germinate;
• The fourth stage – the tumor is large, grows into neighboring brain structures, distant metastases are possible.

Treatment of a brain tumor in adults

In order to choose the right treatment tactics, it is necessary not only to identify the tumor itself, but also to determine its type – benign or cancerous, to assess the stage and type of cells (different types of tumors grow differently and respond to therapy).

Diagnostics

The first examination is carried out by a neurologist. The doctor evaluates general complaints, conducts an examination, examines muscle tone, reflexes, contact, emotions and cognitive functions. An EEG, echo-encephalography is also performed. A visit to an ophthalmologist is indicated to assess the condition of the fundus, visual acuity, and visual fields.

Suspicion of a tumor formation is an indication for CT or MRI of the brain. Angiography of cerebral vessels, PET and other complementary examinations may be prescribed. In some cases, a biopsy can help determine the type of cancer, but it may not be possible in all cases.

Modern treatments

– The volume of treatment is selected depending on the characteristics of the course of the brain tumor, – says oncologist Alexander Seryakov. – The most effective is surgical removal of the tumor. The use of surgical microscopy and navigation makes it possible to radically remove the neoplasm and minimize injury to healthy tissues. If the tumor cannot be completely removed, after its partial removal, the patient is prescribed radiation, as well as chemo-, targeted (“targeted”) or immunotherapy.

For malignant tumors of small size (up to 3 cm), stereotactic radiosurgery is possible (on linear accelerators of the Cyber-Knife type or Gamma-Knife gamma-ray machines). To remove tumor tissue, many beams of radiation are used at once, which are directed to one point or collected in one beam. Its direction during the irradiation session will constantly change, but the beam will necessarily pass through the tumor tissue.

For large tumors, and especially in cases where it is impossible to remove the tumor promptly, classical external beam radiation therapy is used. In some cases, it is used after surgery to reduce the risk of recurrence (re-growth).

Chemotherapy is carried out with cytotoxic drugs, taking into account the type of tumor. The effectiveness of ongoing chemotherapy is significantly increased if it is combined with radiation therapy.

Targeted therapy in combination with radiotherapy and chemotherapy improves the survival of patients with aggressive brain tumors. It is most often used in the treatment of glioblastomas.

Methods of using immunotherapy for malignant tumors (antitumor vaccines, immunopreparations) and its integration into existing treatment standards are currently being considered.

Prevention of brain tumors in an adult at home

Prevention of brain tumors, according tocancer oncologist Aleksandar Seryakov, in general includes:

• healthy lifestyle;
• optimal physical activity (preferably in the fresh air);
• good rest;
• giving up bad habits (smokers and people who abuse alcohol, the likelihood of developing brain tumors increases by almost 30%);
• a diet rich in fruits and vegetables;
• limiting stressful situations (or changing your attitude to negative circumstances).

Popular questions and answers

We discussed the issues of prognosis in brain tumors, the possibilities of a complete cure and the risks of self-treatment with oncologist Alexander Seryakov.