In the world, no one doubts that oncological diseases are the most severe and intractable. Among them, brain cancer is considered almost a “death sentence” for the patient. So what is this disease?
Brain cancer is a malignant neoplasm inside the human skull that occurs in the process of abnormal division of brain cells. Almost any group of cells (neurons; astrocytes; glial cells, lymph vessels, blood vessels, glands and meninges) can be affected by this division. Often, brain cancer occurs due to metastasis from other organs (hematogenous or lymphogenous pathway). The type of tumor is determined by the predominance of certain cells in it. Symptoms of the disease appear depending on the location of the malignant neoplasm and the affected tissues.
Brain cancer does not develop from scratch. For the occurrence of this disease, certain prerequisites are necessary (exposure to chemicals, radiation, harmful substances; consequences of injuries; viral infections; smoking), although human heredity plays an important role in this. Although the causes of cancer have not been reliably established so far, most often it occurs due to the abnormal growth of glial cells.
Depending on the location of the neoplasm and its composition, brain tumors are divided according to two classifications. According to the location of the tumor, they are divided into those that are in the brain itself and those outside it. The latter can also be metastases. According to the cellular content of the neoplasm is divided into: shell (arise from their integumentary tissues of the meninges); pituitary (appear in the pituitary gland); neuromas (occur in cranial nerves); dysembryogenetic; neuroepithelial (formed from the brain). Neuroepithelial tumors account for 60% of cases of this disease.
The first symptoms of brain cancer appear at a time when a malignant tumor grows in size. In the process of its growth, brain tissue is compressed and destroyed. Such symptoms are called focal or primary. The faster the neoplasm grows and the disease progresses, the more general symptoms appear, which include circulatory disorders and increased intracranial pressure.
Brain cancer, the causes of which can be established only after a series of thorough examinations and a medical history, has certain focal symptoms. The most common of them are: sensitivity disorders (pain, tactile and thermal sensations); problems with the vestibular apparatus; epileptic manifestations; motor impairment; hearing and vision impairment; speech dysfunctions; hormonal disorders; autonomic disorders (irregular heartbeat, pressure, dizziness); dementia; impaired coordination; hallucinations; psychomotor disturbances (forgetfulness, distraction, irritability).
With an increase in intracranial pressure and compression of brain tissue, cerebral symptoms occur: constant and severe headache; vomiting and persistent nausea; frequent dizziness.
Brain cancer is diagnosed in 3 stages. At the 1st stage, a neoplasm is detected by focal and cerebral symptoms. At stage 2, differential diagnosis and preliminary diagnosis are made. At this time, computed or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is performed . After the tumor is detected, there is a 3 stage, at which the diagnosis is confirmed. At this time, the patient is hospitalized, a biopsy of the tumor is performed, a treatment regimen is prescribed (radiation, surgery, chemotherapy). In the initial stages, brain cancer therapy is based on uniform principles for the treatment of such diseases. Surgical intervention is based on excision of the tumor, but, as a rule, this is almost impossible.
Spinal cancer, the symptoms of which sometimes resemble those of brain tumors (loss of sensation, impaired coordination, paralysis, impaired movement), are accompanied by severe back pain.