Recent studies by the American Cancer Society show that cancer death rates have dropped significantly in recent years. It is now 20% lower than its peak in 1991. While scientists still have a long way to go, there have been many advances in technology.
One of the surgical advances that has helped treat brain cancer is deep brain stimulation (DBS). Recent ClearPoint technology has made DBS much more available to a broader range of patients. This type of neurosurgery is performed with laser and is much faster and much less painful than traditional surgery.
There are many types of brain tumors that you can get. Here is a brief description of the different types of tumors and their symptoms:
- Acoustic Neuromas. Its official name is vestibular schwannoma. This tumor grows on Schwann cells and is more common in middle age. Its main symptom is hearing loss, but larger ones will also cause headaches, vomiting, and altered consciousness. Another symptom of acoustic neuromas is neck pain. It can be treated with surgery and radiation therapy.
- Astrocytomas. These originate in the glial cells of the cerebellum. They rarely leave the brain, but sometimes spread to the spinal cord. There are several different types and grades of astrocytomas that can form. They can form at any age, although the most severe cases are usually found in adults. One can function perfectly for years with astrocytomas. They can be treated by surgery or therapy.
- Glioblastoma multiforme. These are the most common types of brain tumors found in humans. They are the highest grade of astrocytoma and are very dangerous as they spread rapidly. It can cause a wide variety of symptoms, including seizures, vomiting, headaches, and hemiparesis (weakness on one side of the body). They are extremely difficult to treat and different cases require different treatments. Some of the most common types of treatment include surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy.
- meningioma. This is a series of tumors that develop from the meninges in the central nervous system. In most cases, they are benign. Symptoms that occur include weakness, focal seizures, and intracranial pressure. It is commonly seen, but in cases of malignancy, surgery or radiation may be performed.
- Pituitary tumors. Pituitary adenomas are tumors that are located in the pituitary gland. This results in hyperpituitarism, which means that prolactin, adrenocorticotropic hormones, and growth hormones are secreted in excess. This will also cause headaches and will also manifest in depression, anxiety, apathy, and emotional instability.
