Let’s see what are the most common forms of brain tumor and how to recognize the symptoms for an early diagnosis that could save lives.
@Georgia State University
June 8th is the World Brain Tumor Awareness Dayestablished by the German non-profit association German brain tumor aid. Of all the cancers that can affect the human body, it is a cancer that occurs rather rarely (it represents 1.6% of all cancers diagnosed each year).
According to the data released by AIOM (Italian Association of Medical Oncology), in 2020 there were 6,122 new diagnoses of brain tumor in our country, with a majority of male patients (3,533 cases) compared to women (2,589 cases). Unfortunately, it is a tumor from which it is difficult to heal: currently survival five years from diagnosis stops below 25%.
What is brain tumor
The brain tumor consists of the abnormal growth of cells in the tissues of the central nervous system which, as always happens when we talk about a tumor, can be of a benign or malignant nature. This tumor “degeneration” can affect any part of the central nervous system and this leads to the development of various forms of cancer, including:
- Glioma. It represents the most frequent form of brain tumor (40% of cases) and originates from a degeneration of glial cells, which have the task of producing myelin (the substance that lines the nerves and allows the transmission of nerve impulses). These are, in most cases, slow-developing tumors, which can therefore be treated with a good chance of success.
- Medulloblastoma. It is a malignant tumor typical of childhood and adolescence: it originates in the cerebellum but has the ability to rapidly migrate to other regions of the brain.
- Meningioma. As the name suggests, this type of tumor originates in the meninges, which are the membranes that surround and protect the brain. The diagnosis, in this case, often occurs fortuitously if tests such as CT scans or magnetic resonances are performed for other reasons (for example trauma or traffic accidents) that show the presence of small spots at the level of the meninges. These are almost always very slow growing benign tumors, common in older people (especially women).
- primitive lymphoma. It is a tumor that arises from lymphocytes but which, unlike systemic lymphomas, limits its development to the central nervous system. It is a particularly malignant and aggressive form of cancer, which mainly affects immunosuppressed subjects.
Read also: Tumors: new mechanism discovered that starves cancer cells and makes them more sensitive to treatment
Symptoms of the disease
As for the symptoms of brain tumor, they depend above all on the location and size of the tumor mass: since each area of the central nervous system is responsible for a specific function, it will be precisely that which will be affected and affected with the development of the disease.
Among the ailments “unsuspected” spies of a brain tumor there are those related to vista such as double vision, blurred vision, loss of lateral vision: if we start to warn them, let’s talk about it immediately with our doctor or an ophthalmologist – they will certainly be able to indicate the clinical tests to be performed to investigate the problem.
Other brain tumor symptoms include:
- Uncontrollable headache, so far never experienced in these modalities and with this frequency
- Nausea
- He retched
- Problems with balance and mobility: Gradual loss of sensation or ability to move may occur in a particular limb
- Speech problems
- Confusion
- Changes in personality and behavior
- Neurological crises.
In any case, in the presence of one or more of the symptoms listed above, it is advisable to promptly contact your doctor, who will be able to suggest the most appropriate tests to verify the actual presence of a tumor.
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Sources: AIRC / Bambino Gesù Pediatric Hospital
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