Catherine V.

Columbino Brain Cancer Cancers of the brain are the consequence of abnormal growths of cells in the brainBrain cancers can arise from primary brain cells, the cells that form other brain components (for example, membranes, blood vessels), or from the growth of cancer cells that develop in other organs and that have spread to the brain by the bloodstream (metastatic brain cancer). Although many growths in the brain are popularly called brain tumors, not all brain tumors are cancerous. Cancer is a term reserved for malignant tumors. Malignant tumors grow and spread aggressively, overpowering healthy cells by taking their space, blood, and nutrients. Like all cells of the body, tumor cells need blood and nutrients to survive. This is especially a problem in the brain, as the added growth within the closed confines of the skull can lead to an increase in intracranial pressure or the distortion of surrounding vital structures, causing their malfunction.Tumors that do not grow aggressively are called benign. Almost all tumors that begin in the brain do not spread to other parts of the body. The major difference between benign and malignant tumors is that malignant tumors can invade the brain tissues and grow rapidly. This rapid growth in the confines of the skull can quickly cause damage to nearby brain tissue. Grade I: The tissue is benign. The cells look nearly like normal brain cells, and cell growth is slow. Grade II: The tissue is malignant. The cells look less like normal cells than do the cells in a grade I tumor. Grade III: The malignant tissue has cells that look very different from normal cells. The abnormal cells are actively growing. These abnormal-appearing cells are termed anaplastic. Grade IV: The malignant tissue has cells that look most abnormal and tend to grow very fast. Brain Cancer Causes As with tumors elsewhere in the body, the exact cause of most brain tumors is unknown. The following factors have been proposed as possible risk factors for primary brain tumors, but whether these factors actually increase an individual's risk of a brain tumor is not known for sure. Radiation to the head An inherited (genetic) risk HIV infection Cigarette smoking Environmental toxins (for example, chemicals used in oil refineries, embalming chemicals, rubber industry chemicals) Brain Cancer Symptoms and Signs Not all brain tumors cause symptoms, and some (such as tumors of the pituitary gland that cause no symptoms) are found mainly after death, with the

death not caused by the brain tumor. The symptoms of brain tumors are numerous and not specific to brain tumors, meaning they can be caused by many other illnesses as well. The only way to know for sure what is causing the symptoms is to undergo diagnostic testing. Early symptoms may not occur; if they do, they occur for the following reasons and are listed below: The symptoms are caused by the tumor pressing on or encroaching on other parts of the brain and keeping them from functioning normally.Some symptoms are caused by swelling in the brain primarily caused by the tumor or its surrounding inflammation. In many people, the onset of these symptoms is very gradual and may be overlooked by both the person with the brain tumor and the person's family members, even for long time periods. Occasionally, however, these symptoms appear more rapidly. In some instances, the person acts as if he or she is having a stroke.. In some patients, the symptoms may be more pronounced if the cancer is located mainly in a specific brain lobe that is usually responsible for certain body functions. For example, behavioral changes may predominate in frontal-lobe cancers while difficulty with speech or movements may predominate in cancers within the parietal lobe. Brain Cancer Treatment Treatment for brain cancer should be individualized for each patient. Treatment regimens are based on the patient's age and general health status as well as the size, location, type, and grade of the tumor. In most cases of brain cancer, surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy are the main types of treatment. Often, more than one treatment type is used. The treatment types are further described below.The patient, family, and friends will have many questions about the tumor, the treatment, how treatment will affect the person, and the person's longterm outlook (prognosis). Members of the person's health-care team are the best source of this information. Don't hesitate to ask them any questions. The person's health-care provider and the physician team in charge of their case should discuss details about home care with both the patient and family members. Nursing Responsbilities Home care usually includes supportive measures needed according to the patient's symptoms. For example, walkers may be given for those patients who have gait or minor balance problems.If a person has mental-status changes, a care plan should be directed to the patient's individual needs. For example, a caregiver may be assigned to administer the patient's daily medications.