Understanding Brain Tumors: Causes and Treatments

In the case of brain tumors, if the tumor is benign it does not contain cancer cells and, generally, once it is removed, it does not reappear nor is it capable of invading other tissues. However, they can give the same discomfort as malignant brain tumors.

Malignant brain tumors contain cancer cells, grow very rapidly, and invade the tissues around them. They can come back after treatment.

Brain tumors can appear at any age.

Cause

Most brain tumors have gene abnormalities, causing cells to grow in an uncontrolled way.

Children who have some genetic diseases (for example, Von Hippel-Lindau disease, Li-Fraumeni syndrome, and retinoblastoma) are also at increased risk of developing central nervous system tumors.

Children who have received radiation therapy to the head as part of previous treatment for other cancers are also at higher risk of developing brain tumors.

Symptoms of brain tumors

Symptoms depend on the size and location of the tumor. Many of the symptoms are related to increased pressure in the area where it is located and in the brain, in general.

The symptoms it causes are the following:

• Increased intracranial pressure- This causes a very severe headache, vomiting (predominantly in the morning), irritability or drowsiness, depression, and even coma
• Seizures
• Various alterations depending on the location of the tumor: visual disturbances, difficulty speaking or walking, paralysis or weakness of a part of the body, inability to read or write, or personality changes
• Hormonal problems

The diagnosis is made by an imaging test of the brain: CT or MRI.

Types of brain tumors

• Gliomas: it is the most common brain tumor. There are different types:
• Astrocytomas: are tumors of the glial cells called astrocytes. It is the most common brain tumor in children and can be located anywhere in the brain or spinal cord. There are different degrees of aggressiveness
• Brainstem gliomas: These are tumors that affect the brainstem. It is more common in school-age children
• Ependymomas: These are glial cell tumors that develop in the lining of the ventricles of the brain or the spinal cord. In children they are frequently located in the cerebellum
• Optic nerve gliomas: affect the area of ​​nerves that send messages from the eyes to the brain. Children have vision problems
• Primitive neuroectodermal tumor: they can appear in any part of the child's brain, but the most frequent are located near the cerebellum. They are very aggressive tumors that grow very fast and spread throughout the brain and spinal cord.
• Medulloblastoma: they are located in the midline of the brain. They grow very quickly and obstruct the outlet of cerebrospinal fluid, causing hydrocephalus. Metastasize easily
• Craniopharyngioma: is a benign tumor that appears at the base of the brain, near the centers that regulate hormones. It is typical of teenagers. They give symptoms of hormonal imbalance: lack of growth and short stature
• Pineal region tumors: The pineal gland controls the sleep-wake cycles. Different types of benign or malignant tumors can develop in this region

Treatment

Treatment is individualized based on the type of tumor, the child's age, and the extent or location. A brain and spinal cord imaging test and a thorough examination of the child are essential.

Sometimes a tumor biopsy is necessary before starting treatment.

Treatment of a brain tumor can include several points:

• Surgery: to remove it and remove as much of the tumor as possible while maintaining brain functions
• Chemotherapy
• High-dose corticosteroids to prevent inflammation of the brain
• Anti-seizure drugs in some cases
• Ventriculoperitoneal shunt: necessary in cases of hydrocephalus or accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid. It is a tube that connects the brain with the abdominal cavity to drain excess fluid and decrease brain pressure
• Bone marrow transplantation: in isolated cases
• Rehabilitation: to regain impaired motor or cognitive abilities, speech, or muscle strength

The prognosis depends on the type of tumor, its age, location, and how aggressive it is.