Brain Tumor

Subject: Medical and Surgical Nursing I (Theory)

Overview

Mass or proliferation of malignant cells in the brain; also called a tumor. There are several distinct subtypes of brain tumors. Depending on their malignant potential, brain tumors can either be benign or malignant (malignant). Its symptoms include a gradual loss of feeling or movement in an arm or leg, trouble with balance, trouble speaking, bewilderment in ordinary issues, and so on. Ependymoma, germ cell tumor, medulloblastoma, meningioma, etc. are all potential culprits. As you become older, you increase your likelihood of developing a brain tumor. Age is a major risk factor for developing a brain tumor. Whether or if a biopsy sample shows malignant cells requires further examination under a microscope. This knowledge can be used as a guide for therapy. It can be treated with a variety of surgical, radiation, chemotherapy, and other methods. Rehabilitation may be required for full recovery from a brain tumor since these tumors can affect the areas of the brain responsible for movement, speech, vision, and cognition.

A mass or growth of abnormal cells in your brain is called a brain tumor.

There are several distinct subtypes of brain tumors. Depending on their malignant potential, brain tumors can either be noncancerous (benign) or malignant (malignant). Primary brain tumors form in the brain, whereas secondary brain tumors develop when cancer in another region of the body spreads to the brain (secondary, or metastatic, brain tumors).

The prognosis and course of treatment for a brain tumor are very condition-specific.

Symptoms

Common symptoms brought on by brain tumors include:

  • New or different types of headaches
  • A rise in the frequency and intensity of headaches
  • Nausea or vomiting with no obvious cause
  • Disturbances in one's eyesight, such as those resulting in blurred vision, double vision, or a reduction in one's field
  • Slow, progressive paralysis of an arm or leg
  • Issues maintaining balance
  • Speech difficulties
  • Confusion in routine situations
  • Changes in personality or behavior
  • Seizures, especially in those who have never had them before
  • Troubles with hearing

Causes

The brain's covering membranes (meninges), cranial nerves, pituitary gland, and pineal gland are some of the nearby tissues that can be the source of primary brain tumors.

Primary brain tumors come in a wide variety of forms. The many cell types involved provide the inspiration for the various names. Some instances are:

  • Acoustic neuroma (schwannoma)
  • Ependymoma
  • Germ cell tumor
  • Brain tumor also known as medulloblastoma
  • Meningioma
  • Oligodendroglioma
  • Pineal gland tumor, also known as a pineoblastoma


Brain cancer with an outside origin

Cancer that originates in another part of the body and then travels to the brain is called a secondary (metastatic) brain tumor.

A primary brain tumor is extremely rare, however secondary brain tumors are extremely prevalent.

Brain metastases can occur from any form of cancer, but the most prevalent are:

  • Breast cancer
  • Colon cancer
  • Kidney cancer
  • Lung cancer
  • A Melanoma

Risk factors

  1. Age:
    As you become older, you increase your likelihood of developing a brain tumor. Age is a major risk factor for developing a brain tumor. A brain tumor, however, is not age specific.
  2. Radiation poisoning: 
    Ionizing radiation exposure raises a person's chance of developing a malignant brain tumor. Radiation treatment for cancer and radiation exposure from atomic bombs are both types of ionizing radiation.
  3. A history of brain cancers in the family: 
    Only a tiny percentage of brain tumors develop in those who have a close relative with the disease or who have a known genetic predisposition to developing a brain tumor.

Tests and diagnosis

  1. Checkup of the nervous system:
    Vision, hearing, balance, coordination, and reflexes are just a few of the areas that could be tested in a comprehensive neurological examination.
  2. Tests using imaging equipment:
    Brain cancers are often diagnosed with the use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Before getting an MRI, you could get a dye injected into an arm vein.
  3. Computerized tomography (CT) scans and positron emission tomography (PET) scans are two other imaging procedures that may be performed (PET).

Whether or if a biopsy sample shows malignant cells requires further examination under a microscope. This knowledge can be used as a guide for therapy.


Treatments and drugs

The best course of treatment for a brain tumor will vary depending on the patient's current health status, the tumor's grade and grade, the tumor's location, and the patient's personal treatment choices.

  1. Surgery:
    The goal of surgery to remove a brain tumor is to remove as much of the tumor as feasible if it is located in an area that allows for such removal. Removal of a brain tumor necessitates surgery, which entails dangers including infection and bleeding. The location of the tumor in your brain is another factor that may increase your risk.
  2. Radiation therapy
    Radiation treatment involves the employment of high-energy beams like X-rays or protons to eradicate cancerous tissue. Radiation therapy can either originate from an external machine (external beam radiation) or, in extremely unusual situations, from an inside device inserted near the brain tumor (brachytherapy). The potential for radiation therapy's side effects to manifest is proportional to the treatment's intensity and kind. As a whole, it might make you feel tired and give you a headache or irritate your scalp.
  3. Chemotherapy
    During chemotherapy, medications are used to eradicate malignant cells. To administer chemotherapy, a patient may either swallow a tablet or get an intravenous infusion of the medication (intravenously). Temozolomide (Temodar) is the oral chemotherapy medication most frequently used to treat brain tumors. The possible negative consequences of chemotherapy treatment are quite variable. The side effects of chemotherapy include feeling sick and losing your hair.
  4. Rehabilitation after treatment
    Rehabilitation may be required for full recovery from a brain tumor since these tumors can affect the areas of the brain responsible for movement, speech, vision, and cognition. Helpful resources, such as those listed below, may be recommended by your doctor:
    1. Recovery of mobility and strength can be aided by physical therapy.
    2. Once you've recovered from a brain tumor or other disease, occupational therapy can help you get back to doing the things you love, including going to work.

References

www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/brain-tumor/home/ovc-20117132\scancampaignkw.com/1015/brain-tumour/
https://www.prozhong.info/Brain-Cancer-Symptoms/\swww.medgyan.com/index.php?option=symptoms&deId=28
To learn more about health and wellness, visit www.siasat.com's "Lifestyle" section.
manicapost.co.zw/brain-tumours-what-to-look-out-for/\sbraininess.site/symptoms/early-symptoms-of-brain-problems.html
https://sites.google.com/a/student.roundrockisd.org/3klausclinic2/neurology
It is Mandal, G. (August 2013).
Essentials of Nursing Care for Adults: A Textbook (2nd ed.). Dilllibazar, Kathmandu: Makalu Publishing. This was retrieved in August, 2013.
carriedoroberto.wixsite.com/physiology-of-humans/menu

Things to remember
  • Mass or proliferation of malignant cells in the brain; also called a tumor.
  • The prognosis and treatment choices for a brain tumor are very conditional, based on the specific type of tumor present, its size, and its location.
  • Brain cancer with an outside origin
  • A primary brain tumor is extremely rare, however secondary brain tumors are extremely prevalent.
  • Removal of a brain tumor necessitates surgery, which entails dangers including infection and bleeding.
  • The side effects of chemotherapy include feeling sick and losing your hair.
  • Motor abilities and muscular strength may be restored with physical therapy.
  • Once you've recovered from a brain tumor or other disease, occupational therapy can help you get back to doing the things you love, including going to work.
Questions and Answers

Definition

A lump or development of abnormal cells in your brain is known as a brain tumor.

There are several varieties of brain tumors. Both benign (noncancerous) and malignant (cancerous) brain tumors can occur (malignant). Cancer may start in other regions of your body and move to your brain or it may start in your brain (primary brain tumors) (secondary, or metastatic, brain tumors).

The sort of brain tumor you have, as well as its size and location, all affect your treatment choices.

Symptoms

General signs and symptoms caused by brain tumors may include:

  • A new beginning or alteration in the pattern of headaches:
  • Gradually increasing frequency and intensity of headaches
  • Unaccounted for nausea or vomiting: Vision issues include double vision, blurred vision, or loss of peripheral vision
  • Speech issues: 
  • Gradual loss of feeling or movement in an arm or a leg; - Balance issues
  • Uncertainty in routine situations
  • Changes in personality or conduct
  • Seizures, particularly in someone who has never had seizures before
  • Issues with the ears

Causes

Primary brain tumors originate in the brain itself or in tissues close to it, such as in the brain-covering membranes (meninges), cranial nerves, pituitary gland or pineal gland.

Many different types of primary brain tumors exist. Each gets its name from the type of cells involved. Examples include:

  • Acoustic neuroma (schwannoma).
  • Ependymoma.
  • Germ cell tumor.
  • Medulloblastoma.
  • Meningioma.
  • Oligodendroglioma.
  • Pineoblastoma.

Cancer that begins elsewhere and spreads to the brain

Secondary (metastatic) brain tumors are tumors that result from cancer that starts elsewhere in your body and then spreads (metastasizes) to your brain.

Secondary brain tumors are far more common than are primary brain tumors.

Any cancer can spread to the brain, but the most common types include:

  • Breast cancer.
  • Colon cancer.
  • Kidney cancer.
  • Lung cancer.
  • Melanoma.

Treatments and Drugs

Treatment for a brain tumor depends on the type, size and location of the tumor, as well as your overall health and your preferences.

  • Surgery

If the brain tumor is located in a place that makes it accessible for an operation, your surgeon will work to remove as much of your brain tumor as possible.

Surgery to remove a brain tumor carries risks, such as infection and bleeding. Other risks may depend on the part of your brain where your tumor is located.

 

  • Radiation therapy

Radiation therapy uses high-energy beams, such as X-rays or protons, to kill tumor cells. Radiation therapy can come from a machine outside your body (external beam radiation), or, in very rare cases, radiation can be placed inside your body close to your brain tumor (brachytherapy).

Side effects of radiation therapy depend on the type and dose of radiation you receive. In general it can cause fatigue, headaches and scalp irritation.

 

  • Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill tumor cells. Chemotherapy drugs can be taken orally in pill form or injected into a vein (intravenously). The chemotherapy drug used most often to treat brain tumors is temozolomide (Temodar), which is taken as a pill.

Chemotherapy side effects depend on the type and dose of drugs you receive. Chemotherapy can cause nausea, vomiting and hair loss.

 

  • Rehabilitation after Treatment

Because brain tumors can develop in parts of the brain that control motor skills, speech, vision and thinking, rehabilitation may be a necessary part of recovery. Your doctor may refer you to services that can help, such as:

  • Physical therapy can help you regain lost motor skills or muscle strength.
  • Occupational therapy can help you get back to your normal daily activities, including work, after a brain tumor or other illness

Causes

Primary brain tumors originate in the brain itself or in tissues close to it, such as in the brain-covering membranes (meninges), cranial nerves, pituitary gland or pineal gland.

Many different types of primary brain tumors exist. Each gets its name from the type of cells involved. Examples include:

  • Acoustic neuroma (schwannoma).
  • Ependymoma.
  • Germ cell tumor.
  • Medulloblastoma.
  • Meningioma.
  • Oligodendroglioma.
  • Pineoblastoma.

Cancer that begins elsewhere and spreads to the brain

Secondary (metastatic) brain tumors are tumors that result from cancer that starts elsewhere in your body and then spreads (metastasizes) to your brain.

Secondary brain tumors are far more common than are primary brain tumors.

Any cancer can spread to the brain, but the most common types include:

  • Breast cancer.
  • Colon cancer.
  • Kidney cancer.
  • Lung cancer.
  • Melanoma.

Treatments and Drugs

Treatment for a brain tumor depends on the type, size and location of the tumor, as well as your overall health and your preferences.

  • Surgery

If the brain tumor is located in a place that makes it accessible for an operation, your surgeon will work to remove as much of your brain tumor as possible.

Surgery to remove a brain tumor carries risks, such as infection and bleeding. Other risks may depend on the part of your brain where your tumor is located.

 

  • Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy uses high-energy beams, such as X-rays or protons, to kill tumor cells. Radiation therapy can come from a machine outside your body (external beam radiation), or, in very rare cases, radiation can be placed inside your body close to your brain tumor (brachytherapy).

Side effects of radiation therapy depend on the type and dose of radiation you receive. In general it can cause fatigue, headaches and scalp irritation.

 

  • Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill tumor cells. Chemotherapy drugs can be taken orally in pill form or injected into a vein (intravenously). The chemotherapy drug used most often to treat brain tumors is temozolomide (Temodar), which is taken as a pill.

Chemotherapy side effects depend on the type and dose of drugs you receive. Chemotherapy can cause nausea, vomiting and hair loss.

 

  • Rehabilitation After Treatment

Because brain tumors can develop in parts of the brain that control motor skills, speech, vision and thinking, rehabilitation may be a necessary part of recovery. Your doctor may refer you to services that can help, such as:

  • Physical therapy can help you regain lost motor skills or muscle strength.
  • Occupational therapy can help you get back to your normal daily activities, including work, after a brain tumor or other illness

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