Brain Cancer Interesting Facts

Brain cancer interesting facts - Most brain cancer (tumor) are malignant, but not all. In brain cancer (tumor), the difference between "malignant" and "benign" is not always as clear. For example, a benign tumor may be in a place that is difficult to operate. This can then continue to grow and endanger the health of the patient.

Malignant brain cancer (tumor) are divided into two groups:

• Primary brain cancer (tumor) or glioma originate directly in the brain.
• Metastases or outbreaks of a tumor located outside the brain.

Brain cancer interesting facts: The skull and intracranial hypertension

The brains are a very special organ. They are the engine of our thinking, our memory, and our actions. They are protected by a type of hood: the skull or the brainpan. You may have already noticed that that skull has a hard bone structure, and is not elastic.

When a brain cancer (tumor) grows, that pressure exerts on the brain and on the inside of the skull. The so-called intracranial pressure increase (hypertension) can cause symptoms, such as headaches or consciousness disorders.

The treatment of a brain cancer (tumor) has two goals: healing cancer and reducing the pressure in the skull.



Brain cancer interesting facts: Brain cancer (tumor) and cortisone

To reduce or prevent intracranial hypertension, corticosteroid (cortisone) is often given. That substance must reduce edema (the swelling) around the tumor. The cortisone doses are high. Any side effects such as ulcers, elevated blood pressure or diabetes should, therefore, be kept in mind.

Brain cancer interesting facts: Combination of different therapies

Both primary tumors or gliomas, as well as metastases, are usually treated with radiotherapy in combination with chemotherapy.

An operation may depend on different parameters:

• Is the tumor in a well-accessible place so that the operation does not involve any complications or damage?
• In metastases: is it one metastasis or is it more, and is primary cancer under control?
• What is the general condition of the patient?

*Image source : WebMD

References :

1. National Cancer Institute
2. Stichting tegen Kanker
3. American Cancer Society