Question 1

how is a brain tumor formed?

Accepted Answer

Abnormal cell growth: All tumors are formed from cells that do not follow the rules - they grow faster/differently than they should, not controlled by local and systemic chemical signals.  There are many different types of brain tumors - some very slow growing over decades that cause no problems but may "push" the brain a little.  But others grow very fast, damaging or "crushing" normal brain next to them.

Question 2

how is a brain tumor treated?

Accepted Answer

It depends on type: Treatment is different depending on the the type of brain tumor.
Benign brain tumors like meningioma may be treated surgically or by radiosurgery or a combination of above.

Malignant high grad primary brain tumors are typically treated by maximal safe resection followed by chemoradiation.

Metastatic brain tumors are treated surgically or by radiation, radiosurgery or a combination of above.

Question 3

early symptoms of brain tumor?

Accepted Answer

Is hard to say.  : This is hard to say because many times brain rumors can be asymptomatic, especially if they're deep inside the brain.  Often when they do present they're advanced.  Having said this, if there are unexplained vision changes, seizures, and a progressive focal neurological deficit like a change in gait/walking, then brain tumor should be seriously considered.

Question 4

what could cause a brain tumor?

Accepted Answer

Tumor origins: Brain tumors, like any neoplasms in the body, can be induced by an interplay of genetic and environmental factors.  In other words, there are inherited predispositions in some cases.  One environmental factors known to induce some brain tumors is radiation exposure.  Unfortunately, there is much that we still do not know about how these tumors start.

Question 5

how is a brain tumor diagnosed?

Accepted Answer

MRI or CT: These a days, brain mri's and ct's are the primary method of diagnosing brain tumors.   These are prompted after the patient has a neurologic symptom or an un-relenting headache.

Question 6

what are the signs of brain tumor?

Accepted Answer

Depends on location: Some brain tumors are located in the frontal area and are almost clinically silent until size increases.  Some early on may cause focal weakness, which looks like a stroke.  Headaches, nausea, vomiting, visual blurring, and double vision can occur as size increases. Many tumors, though, may be picked up on routine MRI films.  Some tumors start in lung or kidney and metastasize to brain.

Question 7

what is the causes of brain tumor?

Accepted Answer

Brain Tumors: Primary brain tumors arise from mutations in cells, caused by exposure to radiation
family history of certain genetic disorders like neurofibromatosis, tuberous sclerosis, von hippel-lindau disease, and li-fraumeni syndrome, having a compromised immune system (more so associated with CNS lymphomas and people infected with aids). Secondary brain tumors spread from lung, breast, or other sites.

Question 8

how to know if i have brain tumor?

Accepted Answer

PROGRESSIVE SYMPTOMS: If you have progressive symptoms tell your doctor. You might need a scan of the head.

Question 9

what does a brain tumor look like?

Accepted Answer

Different appearance: Different tumors have different appearances.  Melanomas are purple, meningiomas are reddish pink, glioblastoma is grayish to dark red.  There are too many to name but these are a few.

Question 10

how can one diagnose a brain tumor?

Accepted Answer

PROCESS: First is doctors suspicion or if symptoms (headaches, seizures, nausea, vomiting), then focused physical exam followed by appropriate imaging studies (ct or MRI of brain), if a lesion is seen then it will require tissue diagnosis. Can be obtained by biopsy or surgical removal of suspicious lesion. The final word is the pathology results.

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Doctor answers about:

Brain tumor

A member asked:

How is a brain tumor formed?

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How is a brain tumor treated?

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Early symptoms of brain tumor?

A member asked:

What could cause a brain tumor?

A member asked:

How is a brain tumor diagnosed?

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What are the signs of brain tumor?

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What is the causes of brain tumor?

A member asked:

How to know if i have brain tumor?

A member asked:

What does a brain tumor look like?

A member asked:

How can one diagnose a brain tumor?

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