What Are Causes Of Brain Cancer ?

The causes of brain cancer usually remain unprecedented. These diseases usually affect people without particular susceptibility. Nevertheless, a certain number of risk factors were determined.

Genetic disorder
For glial tumors, there is a family establishment. Approximately 5% of brain cancer have a genetic disorder as a possible cause.

Exposure to certain substances
Occupational exposure to radiation or certain chemicals (formaldehyde, vinyl chloride, acrylonitrile, etc.) may increase the risk of brain cancer.

The gender
Brain cancer is more common in men than women.

Possibly the use of the mobile phone
The dangers of mobile phone usage could not be scientifically confirmed so far. Since most of the cancers have a long lead time (latency), this is not surprising. However, the first results of the international study 'Interphone' have given rise to concern, although they are not yet final.

At the scientific level, research into the risks of the mobile phone is continued to eliminate the existing uncertainties. Furthermore, we must also take into account a potential risk. Therefore, the expert's advice is as follows:

• Use your cell phone sparingly and for short calls and using a hands-free kit
• Do not use him in a moving vehicle (car, train, airplane) because the mobile phone is so obliged to operate at full capacity
• A cell phone is not suitable for children

Detection brain cancer

There is no systematic detection of this type of cancer.

Diagnosis of brain cancer

If, after a general clinical trial, there is a suspicion that a patient has a brain cancer, the physician may consider it necessary to carry out various analyses and tests to detect a brain cancer. For example, an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan can be drawn up.

A neurological examination
The purpose of neurological research is to test the functioning of the nervous system by means of simple tests. The following are investigated:

• the muscle strength;
• the reflexes with a small hammer;
• the eyes to detect any changes that are caused by increased intracranial pressure;
• the reaction of the pupils using a lamp, etc.

A blood loss
Based on a blood loss, the physician can check the level of markers that are specific to brain cancers.

A scan
A brain scan is a research medical imaging that is particularly suitable for detecting a brain cancer. In order to perform this research, it may be that you inject a contrast agent into your bloodstream.

An MRI / NMR
Magnetic resonance uses magnetic fields to take pictures. These studies are often used to detect a brain cancer, usually after injecting a contrast agent into the blood.

An angiogram
This research makes it possible to visualize the blood supply in a region of the brain. It is a research that is not often used in brain cancers, but it happens that a doctor will apply for this when a tumor in the brain is getting bigger. It is useful, for example, in the case of meningiomas.

A biopsy
When the doctor finds a tumor, he/she performs a biopsy. That is, he removes the tissue to analyze under the microscope, to determine the exact nature of it.

*Image source : Vimeo

References :

1. National Cancer Institute
2. Kanker.be
3. American Cancer Society