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من طرف black ice الخميس أغسطس 21, 2008 6:22 pmBrain Tumor
Definition
A tumor is an abnormal mass of tissue which results from the excessive multiplication of cells. A tumor that originates in the brain is called a "primary" brain tumor. Primary brain tumors may be either benign or malignant. These tumors very rarely, if ever, metastasize (spread to other parts of the body). Metastatic brain tumors begin as a cancer elsewhere in the body then spread to the brain
Facts According to the American Brain Tumor Association, the estimated number of new cases of primary brain tumors diagnosed each year is approximately 20,000. An additional 20,000 individuals are diagnosed with metastatic brain tumors. Brain tumors are usually classified by cell types. Certain types of primary brain tumors most commonly occur in children while others occur more frequently in adults
Adult brain tumors have their highest incidence between the ages of 40 and 60 years, with a slight preponderance in men
Symptoms
Symptoms may vary by type and location of the brain tumor. They can include: severe headaches, seizures, visual disturbances, motor weakness, sensory disturbances, language disorders, short term memory loss, personality changes, mood swings, intellectual impairment, and endocrinological disturbances
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of a brain tumor occasionally is difficult because symptoms may be similar to those caused by other disorders. However, early detection is important as early treatment may limit the extent of damage to physical and mental functions. Making the diagnosis of a brain tumor has been greatly simplified since the advent of CT scans and MRI scans
Occasionally other techniques like an arterio-gram (shows the blood vessels in the brain) or sometimes an electroencephalogram (measures the electrical activity of the brain) may be used in order to obtain more information about a lesion seen on a CT or MRI scan
For certain types of brain tumors, it is also important to analyze cerebrospinal fluid, obtained by a lumbar puncture, for the presence of tumor cells
Treatment
Various forms of treatment are available
Surgery
The first treatment for most brain tumors is either surgery to remove the tumor or a biopsy to obtain a small sample of tumor. The tumor tissue that is removed is used to determine the exact type of tumor
Additional treatment depends on the tumor type and amount of tumor removed. Side effects of surgery include the risks of infection, blood clotting, seizures and, in some cases, increased neurological deficit that may be temporary or permanent
Radiation Therapy
Conventional radiation therapy uses external beams of either x or gamma rays aimed at the tumor. The therapy is given over a period of several weeks. Other types of radiation also are available. One of these is interstitial radiation_implanting radioactive seeds directly into a tumor. Stereotactic radiosurgery delivers a high, single dose of radiation to a small, well-defined area. Another technique is photodynamic therapy. A light sensitive drug is given through a vein and concentrates in the tumor. Then, during a surgical procedure, a special light activities the drug. Hyperthermia uses heat to kill tumor cells
Also available are other forms of radiation energy, dosages, and schedules. Side effects of radiation therapy may include hair loss, skin irritation, fatigue and, rarely, increase of preexisting neurologic deficits
Chemotherapy
Certain chemotherapeutic drugs have proven to be effective in controlling the growth of a tumor for shorter or longer periods of time. Research continues to develop new drugs, new combinations of drugs and new ways of delivering drugs. Side effects of chemotherapeutic drugs include nausea or vomiting, disruption of the production of blood cells in the bone marrow, occasionally soreness of the mouth or mouth ulcers and skin rash. These side effects are usually reversible and may vary with each individual
Immunotherapy
This is a form of therapy aimed at activating the patient's own immune system in order to kill tumor cells. This group of substances includes the interferons, interleukins, growth factors and others. These forms of therapy are still experimental and only used in strictly controlled protocols at certain treatment centers
Steroids Drugs such as prednisone and dexamethasone are being used throughout the treatment of patients with brain tumors in order to reduce the swelling around the tumor. Side effects are increased appetite and therefore weight gain, swelling of face and feet, nervousness or restlessness, trouble sleeping, blood sugar and hormonal disturbances, and weakening of bones and muscles
references
Navigating Through A Strange Land. A Book For Brain Tumor Patients and Their Families, Patricia Ann Roloff (Ed), 1995, Indigo Press, 109 Walnut St., San Francisco, CA 94118
Coping With a Brain Tumor Part I: From Diagnosis to Treatment and Part II: During and After Treatment, American Brain Tumor Association, 2720 River Road, Ste. 146, Des Plaines, IL 60018
A Primer on Brain Tumors, Sixth Edition, Gail Segal, 1996, available from the American Brain Tumor Association, 2720 River Road, Ste. 146, Des Plaines, IL 60018
Love, Medicine and Miracles, Bernie Siegel, 1986, Harper Perennial, New York, NY, (800) 242-7737
Brain Tumors: A Guide, the National Brain Tumor Foundation, 1993, 785 Market St., #1600, San Francisco, CA 94103-2003
Definition
A tumor is an abnormal mass of tissue which results from the excessive multiplication of cells. A tumor that originates in the brain is called a "primary" brain tumor. Primary brain tumors may be either benign or malignant. These tumors very rarely, if ever, metastasize (spread to other parts of the body). Metastatic brain tumors begin as a cancer elsewhere in the body then spread to the brain
Facts According to the American Brain Tumor Association, the estimated number of new cases of primary brain tumors diagnosed each year is approximately 20,000. An additional 20,000 individuals are diagnosed with metastatic brain tumors. Brain tumors are usually classified by cell types. Certain types of primary brain tumors most commonly occur in children while others occur more frequently in adults
Adult brain tumors have their highest incidence between the ages of 40 and 60 years, with a slight preponderance in men
Symptoms
Symptoms may vary by type and location of the brain tumor. They can include: severe headaches, seizures, visual disturbances, motor weakness, sensory disturbances, language disorders, short term memory loss, personality changes, mood swings, intellectual impairment, and endocrinological disturbances
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of a brain tumor occasionally is difficult because symptoms may be similar to those caused by other disorders. However, early detection is important as early treatment may limit the extent of damage to physical and mental functions. Making the diagnosis of a brain tumor has been greatly simplified since the advent of CT scans and MRI scans
Occasionally other techniques like an arterio-gram (shows the blood vessels in the brain) or sometimes an electroencephalogram (measures the electrical activity of the brain) may be used in order to obtain more information about a lesion seen on a CT or MRI scan
For certain types of brain tumors, it is also important to analyze cerebrospinal fluid, obtained by a lumbar puncture, for the presence of tumor cells
Treatment
Various forms of treatment are available
Surgery
The first treatment for most brain tumors is either surgery to remove the tumor or a biopsy to obtain a small sample of tumor. The tumor tissue that is removed is used to determine the exact type of tumor
Additional treatment depends on the tumor type and amount of tumor removed. Side effects of surgery include the risks of infection, blood clotting, seizures and, in some cases, increased neurological deficit that may be temporary or permanent
Radiation Therapy
Conventional radiation therapy uses external beams of either x or gamma rays aimed at the tumor. The therapy is given over a period of several weeks. Other types of radiation also are available. One of these is interstitial radiation_implanting radioactive seeds directly into a tumor. Stereotactic radiosurgery delivers a high, single dose of radiation to a small, well-defined area. Another technique is photodynamic therapy. A light sensitive drug is given through a vein and concentrates in the tumor. Then, during a surgical procedure, a special light activities the drug. Hyperthermia uses heat to kill tumor cells
Also available are other forms of radiation energy, dosages, and schedules. Side effects of radiation therapy may include hair loss, skin irritation, fatigue and, rarely, increase of preexisting neurologic deficits
Chemotherapy
Certain chemotherapeutic drugs have proven to be effective in controlling the growth of a tumor for shorter or longer periods of time. Research continues to develop new drugs, new combinations of drugs and new ways of delivering drugs. Side effects of chemotherapeutic drugs include nausea or vomiting, disruption of the production of blood cells in the bone marrow, occasionally soreness of the mouth or mouth ulcers and skin rash. These side effects are usually reversible and may vary with each individual
Immunotherapy
This is a form of therapy aimed at activating the patient's own immune system in order to kill tumor cells. This group of substances includes the interferons, interleukins, growth factors and others. These forms of therapy are still experimental and only used in strictly controlled protocols at certain treatment centers
Steroids Drugs such as prednisone and dexamethasone are being used throughout the treatment of patients with brain tumors in order to reduce the swelling around the tumor. Side effects are increased appetite and therefore weight gain, swelling of face and feet, nervousness or restlessness, trouble sleeping, blood sugar and hormonal disturbances, and weakening of bones and muscles
references
Navigating Through A Strange Land. A Book For Brain Tumor Patients and Their Families, Patricia Ann Roloff (Ed), 1995, Indigo Press, 109 Walnut St., San Francisco, CA 94118
Coping With a Brain Tumor Part I: From Diagnosis to Treatment and Part II: During and After Treatment, American Brain Tumor Association, 2720 River Road, Ste. 146, Des Plaines, IL 60018
A Primer on Brain Tumors, Sixth Edition, Gail Segal, 1996, available from the American Brain Tumor Association, 2720 River Road, Ste. 146, Des Plaines, IL 60018
Love, Medicine and Miracles, Bernie Siegel, 1986, Harper Perennial, New York, NY, (800) 242-7737
Brain Tumors: A Guide, the National Brain Tumor Foundation, 1993, 785 Market St., #1600, San Francisco, CA 94103-2003
