The Complete Guide to Brain Cancer

Like other parts of the body, the brain can also have a tumor, which occurs when cells grow out of control and form a solid mass. Because the brain has many types of cells and can get many types of tumors. Some are cancerous, and others are not. Some grow quickly, others grow slowly. But since the brain is the control center of the body, all other organs must be taken seriously.

The skull is hard on the outside, the brain is a soft organization on the inside and there really isn't room in the head for anything else. When a tumor grows, it puts pressure on the brain because it has nowhere to go. It can affect thinking, vision, movement and feeling. So with a brain tumor, whether it's brain cancer or not, it's important where it's located, how quickly and easily it can grow or spread, and whether a doctor can get it out. out no.
1.1. Secondary brain cancer Most people with brain cancer (about 100,000 people each year) have this type, which means cancer in some other part of the body has spread to the brain. About half of brain cancers begin as lung cancer. Other cancers that can spread to the brain include:
Breast cancer Colon cancer Kidney cancer Blood cancer Lymphoma Skin cancer 1.2. Primary brain tumors In adults, the most common tumors that start in the brain are meningioma and glioma. Meningiomas account for more than 35% of all primary brain tumors. They do not develop on their own from brain tissue but from cells in the cerebral cortex. Benign tumors are in a dangerous location and their growth makes them serious.
The most common cancerous brain tumor - almost one in five - is glioblastoma. They are a type of glioma, tumors that start in the glial cells. They spread quickly and are often fatal.
Overall, the number of people diagnosed with brain tumors is increasing. That may be partly because technology makes them easier to spot. But researchers are also looking at other causes, such as things in the environment.
1.3. Other Types The different types of primary brain tumors are all named for where they start in your brain. Besides gliomas, these include adenomas (in your pituitary gland), chordomas (skull and spine), medulloblastomas (cerebellum), and sarcoma (brain tissue), among others. .

Doctors grade brain tumors with grades 1 to 4. Low grade tumors (grade 1) are not cancerous. They grow slowly and usually do not metastasize. They can usually be cured if a doctor removes them surgically. On the other hand, high-grade (grade 4) tumors are cancerous. They grow quickly, metastasize quickly, and are often incurable. Level 2 and level 3 are in between. Usually, grade 2 is not cancer and grade 3 is cancer.

Depending on the type of tumor and its location, clinical symptoms:
Feeling sleepy throughout the day Difficulty expressing yourself, unable to find the right words or feeling confused Frequent headaches , especially in the morning Problems with vision, such as blurred or double vision Loss of balance or trouble walking Convulsions

4.1. Radiation There is often no known cause for primary brain tumors – tumors that start in the brain. Prolonged, heavy exposure to radiation carries a high risk of causing cancer in the future. However, in Leukemia, radiation is used directly to the head for treatment. In most of these cases, the benefits of radiation outweigh the risks of cancer.
4.2. Age Brain tumors can be diagnosed at any age, but children and adults tend to have different types. They are much more common in adults over the age of 50 than in younger people and children.
4.3. Other health problems The chance of brain cancer is high when the immune system is weakened, such as: AIDS or having an organ transplant. There are family factors or genetic abnormalities, such as: Li-Fraumenni syndrome, neurofibromatosis type 1 or 2, Nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome. Tuberous sclerosis, Turcot syndrome type 1 or 2, Von Hippel-Lindau disease.

This has been a hot topic in recent years, but research has not shown any clear link between cell phones and brain tumors. However, there are not many long-term studies on cell phone use and scientists are still studying it. Until we know more, it is advisable to use a headset or another hands-free device, keeping the phone away from the head and minimizing contact with the phone is advisable.

How to detect brain cancer? Doctors don't usually check for brain cancer as often as they do with other diseases. Usually discovered when visiting the doctor with symptoms and after doing tests. Treatment options and resolution depend more on the tumor type, size, location of the tumor, and the age of the patient.
The doctor will start with a neurological exam. Checking the nervous system - such as vision, balance and reflexes to know where the tumor is. A CT scan may be needed for a more detailed look at the tumor. Possible tests: MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), CT (computerized tomography) or PET (positron emission tomography) scan. And can do a biopsy, take a sample of the tumor to confirm the diagnosis, disease stage and prognosis.

8.1. Regular monitoring All treatments have side effects, so if you have a tumor that is slow growing and isn't causing any problems, treatment may not be needed right away. Regular checkups are needed to monitor the tumor and make sure it's not getting bigger or starting to cause new problems.
8.2. Surgery After the tumor is detected. The best case scenario is a small tumor that is completely removed. But some parts of the brain are fragile, and removing the entire tumor can hurt them. However, removing even part of the tumor can often help relieve symptoms.
8.3. Chemotherapy Chemotherapy is the use of powerful drugs to kill cancer cells, or at least slow them down. Entered into the body by: oral tablets or injections, which are delivered directly into the bloodstream through a vein. With some types of brain cancer, a wafer may be placed in the brain after surgery. The wafer slowly dissolves and delivers the drug right into the tumor, killing any remaining cancer cells.
8.4. Radiation therapy Radiation uses high-energy beams from X-rays or other sources to destroy tumors. It is sometimes used along with chemotherapy to help kill more cancer cells or to protect your brain. Newer types of radiation, such as proton therapy and focused radiation, target tumors so they don't damage other parts of the brain.
8.5. Targeted therapy Cancer cells work differently than normal cells. Doctors can sometimes take advantage of these differences to use targeted therapy, using drugs that stop cancer cells from doing what they need to survive. It kills cancer but leaves normal cells. For example, targeted drugs can stop a tumor from making blood vessels that help it grow.

Your brain is in charge of many bodily functions, including vision, hearing, speech and movement. As brain cancer grows, it compresses and damages the areas that control these functions. That can lead to complications like headaches, seizures, vision and hearing loss, and balance problems.
Currently, Vinmec International General Hospital has been and continues to be fully equipped with modern diagnostic facilities such as: PET/CT, SPECT/CT, MRI... biology, immunohistochemistry, genetic testing, molecular biology testing, as well as a full range of targeted drugs, the most advanced immunotherapy drugs in cancer treatment.
After having an accurate diagnosis of the disease, the stage, the patient will be consulted to choose the most appropriate and effective treatment methods. The treatment process is always closely coordinated with many specialties: Diagnostic Imaging, Biochemistry, Immunology, Cardiology, Stem Cell and Gene Technology; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Endocrinology, Department of Rehabilitation, Department of Psychology, Department of Nutrition... to bring the highest efficiency and comfort to patients. After undergoing the treatment phase, the patient will also be monitored and re-examined to determine whether the cancer treatment is effective or not.
Especially, now to improve service quality, Vinmec also deploys many cancer screening packages that can help customers detect cancer early before there are no symptoms, bringing a better prognosis. treatment and a high chance of recovery.