Abnormal growth and multiplication of cells inside the brain leads to the formation of lumps, known as brain tumours or intracranial tumours. Tumours can be both benign or non-cancerous and malignant or cancerous. Medical science has documented more than 150 types of brain tumours. However, primary and metastatic types are the predominant ones.
The growth rate and location of the tumour determine its type and how much it will affect the nervous system. The treatment of the tumour is also dependent on these two factors.
Now that you know what a brain tumour is, let us take a look at the other factors mentioned above.
There are 2 main brain tumour types. These are -
1) Primary tumour – This is a tumour emerging from the tissue of the brain and its surroundings. It can be cancerous or non-cancerous. It has two sub-divisions:
2) Metastatic brain tumour – It is a tumour that does not arise in the brain but migrates to the brain from other body parts through the bloodstream or lymph nodes. It is always cancerous. Above 15000 people per year are diagnosed with metastatic tumours.
Here is a table encapsulating different types of brain tumours based on their origin and their respective symptoms -
|
Classification |
Location in Brain |
Brain Tumour Symptoms |
|
Type 1, Chordomas |
Base of the skull, the lower part of the spine, often puts pressure on neural tissue |
Nosebleed, headache, vision problem, muscle weakness, bowel problem |
|
Craniopharyngiomas |
Deep inside the brain on the pituitary gland |
Obesity, delayed development in the child, vision problem for the swollen optic nerve, hormonal problem |
|
Gangliocytomas |
Neoplastic nerve cells |
Endocrine disorder, vision problem, brain pressure |
|
Glomus jugulare |
On the top of the jugular vein at the base of the skull |
Dizziness, hearing loss, hoarseness, loss of facial muscle movement |
|
Meningiomas |
In intracranial part of the brain on the membrane-like structure across brain and spinal cord |
Headache, weakness, seizures, vision problem |
|
Pineocytomas |
In pineal cells |
- |
|
Pituitary adenomas |
On pituitary gland |
Hormonal problem, vision problem, headache, behavioural changes |
|
Schwannomas |
In nerve cells |
pins-and-needle feeling, weakness, back and neck pain, lump, burning sensation |
|
Type 2, Astrocytomas |
In glial cells of the primary brain, spinal cord, cerebrum |
Memory loss, seizures, behaviour change, headache |
|
Ependymomas |
Ependymal cells in the lining of the ventricular system of the brain (caused by neoplastic transformation) |
Headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, balance and walking problem, blurry vision, bowel problem |
|
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) |
Grows in glial cells, astrocytes, oligodendrocytes |
Nausea, vomiting, headache, weakness, memory problem, difficulty in balancing, seizures |
|
Medulloblastomas |
Cerebellum |
Hearing loss, dizziness, vomiting, nausea, problem in thinking ability. |
|
Oligodendrogliomas |
Cells of myelin, the insulating wire of the brain |
Language problem, balance and walking problem, personality change, memory loss, seizure |
|
Hemangioblastomas |
Blood vessels to the cerebellum |
Loss of coordination, headache, imbalance, vomiting |
|
Rhabdoid tumours |
Central nervous system |
Morning headache, un-sleepiness, loss of balance, coordination problem, increase in the size of the head, trouble in walking. |
Precise brain tumour causes are yet unknown. However, some influencing factors are family history, exposure to ionizing radiation, and cancer in other parts of the body.
Some other related factors that serve as reasons for brain tumour are -
How brain tumour is caused is yet a factor under research. Following factors may enhance the risk of developing brain cancer -
To pinpoint brain tumours, high resolution and sophisticated imaging techniques are necessary. These include -
Biopsy confirms the status of the tumour, whether it is malignant or benign. The neurosurgeon does it, and the pathologist makes the final diagnosis.
If you experience any symptom of a brain tumour, consult with a doctor immediately. Sometimes symptoms overlap; however, try and track those. Treatment in the early stage can ensure the fastest recovery. The tumour can grow rapidly in a short period. Therefore, delay in treatment can be deadly.
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Disclaimer #2: This information is added only for informative purposes and collected from different sources across the Internet. Digit Insurance is not promoting or recommending anything here. Please verify the information before making any decisions.
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