A brain tumor is defined as an abnormal or uncontrolled growth of cells in the brain. In a healthy person, new cells are made only to replace old or damaged cells. But when these new cells are made without need, they form a mass in the brain. Tumors can be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). Brain tumors show different symptoms depending on the part of the brain where they develop. Most adult brain tumors are single and have spread from cancer elsewhere in the body. These types of tumors are called “secondary tumors”.
Benign Brain Tumors: Benign brain tumors are not cancer. They grow slowly, often with clear boundaries. Benign tumors become dangerous as soon as they begin to press on parts of the brain, or they can damage those areas. Sometimes, when benign brain tumors occur in a place that is very difficult to reach, they can become life-threatening by becoming too risky for the operation. Depending on the functions of the damaged areas in the body, they can cause difficulties in daily life. Benign brain tumors are usually surgically removed. They are less likely to reoccur. Although very rarely, benign brain tumors can transform into malignant (malignant) brain tumors.
Malignant (malignant) Brain Tumors: Malignant brain tumors are tumors with cancer cells in their tissue. They grow very fast. They spread to all areas of brain tissue. These tumors pose a deadly danger. They very rarely spread to the spinal cord.
Metastatic Brain Tumor: Metastatic brain tumors are secondary brain tumors. Cancer that occurs in any part of the body can then spread to the brain or another organ. The most common types of cancer that spread to the brain are breast cancer, colon cancer, kidney cancer, lung cancer, skin cancer (melanoma).
Brain tumors often spread or press on normal brain tissue. That’s why the symptoms occur because of that pressure. Depending on the location of the brain tumor, different types of symptoms may occur in the person. However, other illnesses, including mental illnesses, can also cause these symptoms. For this reason, when one or more of the symptoms begin to occur, it is necessary to consult a doctor without wasting time.
Sudden gushing vomiting with headache and nausea
Sara (epilepsy) Seizures
Difficulty and/or slowness in thinking, speaking, and word-finding
Personality and behavioral changes
Weakness in one part or one half of the body
Loss of balance, dizziness, lightheadedness
Decreased or loss of hearing
Visual disturbances
Constant sleepiness or difficulty staying awake
Memory loss or inability to remember people
Benign brain tumors are surgically removed if there is no objectionable condition for the operation. The surgical removal of the tumor is called a “craniotomy”. In this operation, the skull cavity is entered by removing a piece of skull bone to reach the brain. The removed bone is reattached at the end of the surgical procedure.
If the brain tumor is malignant, then according to the condition of the tumor and the patient; radiation (radioptherapy), medication (chemotherapy) or surgery options are evaluated. Sometimes both of these treatments can be applied together (surgery + radiation, radiation + chemotherapy).
