Get to learn more about brain cancer, its types, and its symptoms

In most cases, after one has learned that they got brain cancer, they usually run from one health care facility to another, looking for a place that offers quality care and treatment. They will also look for experienced and qualified physicians who have been treating brain cancer for years and know the requirements during care provision. That is why brain cancer in Flemington is managed by a team of specialists who use the most advanced brain cancer therapies to provide you with a customized treatment plan to support healing and recovery. Some of the therapies employed include counseling, pharmacy, and dietary services.
How is brain cancer classified?
Generally, brain tumors are of two types: primary and secondary. Primary brain tumors usually originate in the brain and are either benign or malignant. Some benign tumors like meningiomas can attack your brain tissue and can become life-threatening, like brain cancer. Similarly, some benign tumors can also turn into malignant ones. Secondary tumors, also known as metastatic brain tumors, are cancers that usually first develop in your body and later spread to your brain. Some of the cancers that can metastasize to the brain include colon cancer, lung cancer, melanoma, and breast cancer.
What type of brain cancer can you develop?
Some of the brain cancer that you might end up suffering from are like:
Gliomas
Typically, approximately seventy-eight percent of brain cancers are gliomas. Mostly these malignant tumors usually develop in glial cells, which are all non-neuron cells in your brain. In addition, there are various types of gliomas, such as astrocytomas, oligodendrogliomas, and ependymomas.
Oligodendroglioma
It is a type of brain cancer that usually arises from the cells that compose the protective sheath of the nerves within your brain. It is also a relatively slow-growing cancer.
Glioblastoma
Glioblastoma is also referred to as grade IV astrocytoma, an aggressive and fast-growing brain cancer that arises in the glial cells known as astrocytomas.
Ependymomas
Approximately two to three percent of malignant brain tumors are ependymomas, which usually begin in glial cells known as ependymal cells that can be found in the ventricles of your brain.
Hemangioblastomas
Hemangioblastomas is a slow-growing brain cancer that usually originates in the blood vessels and is mainly found in the cerebellum, found at the base of the brain.
What symptoms develop with brain cancer?
The symptoms that usually develop with brain cancer depend on the extent and location of the cancer. However, most brain tumors cause;
- Fatigue
- Headaches
- Mood swings
- Memory loss or confusion
- Seizures
- Double vision
- Sleep problems
- Personality changes
- Sensitivity to light
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Speech changes
- Numbness or weakness of the body’s one side
Additionally, one of the early symptoms of brain cancer is often a headache.
How is brain cancer treated?
In most cases, if possible, one is advised to undergo brain surgery to remove the brain tumor. However, the health care team first reviews your medical records and also evaluates your brain tumor. After that, they communicate with you about the treatment options available to be effective for your brain cancer. Some treatment options available are radiation therapy, targeted therapy, chemotherapy, and tumor treating fields/ alternating electric field therapy.
In summary, if you have been diagnosed with brain cancer and require some treatment, visit or call Hunterdon Hematology Oncology, LLC today.