Brain tumors can take two forms. One of these is the brain’s own tumor and the other is the cancer that has formed in another part of the body, jumping to the brain (metastasis).
Tumors of the brain itself can be benign or malignant. Benign brain tumors enlarge, occupy space, are well-circumscribed, and usually encapsulated within the brain. Benign tumors can be completely removed depending on the location. Malignant tumors, on the other hand, have spread by entering the brain in the form of a finger. Therefore, its boundaries are not very clear. Complete removal is often not possible.
Other tumors we see in the brain are the spread of a cancer that started in another part of the body, which we call metastasis, to the brain. In fact, the most common brain tumors we see are metastases. 80% of tumors that appear in the brain are metastases. It can be seen frequently in lung, breast, prostate cancers.
When it comes to the symptoms of brain tumors, first comes the headache. Headache is present when waking up in the morning. It is more in the morning and may decrease during the day. As the tumor progresses, numbness, tingling and loss of strength may begin on one side of the body. The patient may have fainting spells and epilepsy. If the disease progresses further, behavioral disorders begin and he becomes unconscious. Diagnosis is made by listening to the patient, examining and radiological examinations.
Treatment is primarily surgery. However, depending on the patient’s condition, it can be waited for a while, and direct radiation therapy (radiotherapy) can be performed. Another form of treatment is chemotherapy (drug). Usually, these three treatment modalities are applied together. It is often operated first. Thus, the pathological diagnosis of the tumor is also made. Accordingly, radiotherapy and chemotherapy are planned. Because not all types of brain tumors are sensitive to radiation therapy or drug therapy. How sensitive the tumors are to radiation therapy or drug therapy is understood after pathological diagnosis. Rehabilitation can also be done later if necessary.
