Brain and Spinal Cord Tumor Definition

Brain and Spinal Cord Tumor Definition Brain and spinal cord tumors are different kinds of growths. They happen when cells in the brain or spinal cord grow too much. These growths can be non-cancerous or cancerous. They can grow fast or slowly and might spread to other tissues.

What makes these tumors is how they grow and where they are in the body. Places like the National Cancer Institute and the American Cancer Society explain these tumors well. They show how these tumors affect the nervous system and health.

Malignant brain and spinal tumors have special traits that affect how well someone can get better. Knowing about these traits helps doctors treat them. It’s important to catch these tumors early and treat them right.

---

Get Free Consultation

Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

- Step 1 of 4

Select Your Gender *

• Woman
• Man

Next

Select Your Age

Age: 0

Next

When do you plan on getting The Treatment? *

• As Soon
• 3 Months
• 1 Year
• Only Info

Next

What is your name? *

Dropdown *Select Your TreatmentCheck-upEar Nose ThroatCardiovascular SurgeryMedical OncologyDentistryNutrition and DieteticsPediatricsDermatologyPhysical Therapy and RehabilitationGeneral SurgeryOphtalmologyInternal MedicineObstetrics and GynecologyWeight Loss SurgeryOrthopedics Traumatology and Sport InjuriesNeurologyNeurosurgeryRadiation OncologyEndoscopyCardiologyRadiologyUrologyOrgan TransplantationHematologyAesthetic Plastic and Reconstructive SurgeryBone Marrow TransplantationIVF

Phone *

What is your email? *

Paragraph Text

Get Your Consultation

---

ACIBADEM Health Point: The Future of Healthcare

We believe that everyone deserves access to quality healthcare, which is why we have established multiple branches in strategic locations. Whether you're in need of routine check-ups, specialized treatments, or emergency care, ACIBADEM Health Point is here for you.

---

Introduction to Brain and Spinal Cord Tumors

Brain and spinal cord tumors are a big worry in cancer cases. They can happen to anyone, at any age. It’s key to know about them to help patients. Brain and Spinal Cord Tumor Definition

Overview and Statistics

These tumors affect people differently based on their age, gender, and where they live. Every year, about 24,000 new cases of brain and spinal cord tumors are found in the U.S. Adults get more of these tumors, but spinal cord tumors are still a big deal.

Importance of Early Detection

Brain and Spinal Cord Tumor Definition Finding these tumors early is very important. It helps doctors treat them better and can save lives. Places like the Mayo Clinic say to see a doctor fast if you have bad headaches, seizures, or other weird symptoms.

What is a Brain Tumor?

Brain tumors are growths that don’t belong in the brain. They can mess up how the brain works. They come from different cell types and grow in different ways. Knowing this helps doctors figure out what to do next.

Types of Brain Tumors

There are many kinds of brain tumors, each with its own traits. Here are some common ones:

• Gliomas: These come from cells that protect and support brain cells. They can be astrocytomas, oligodendrogliomas, or ependymomas.
• Meningiomas: These start in the meninges, which cover the brain and spine. They’re usually not cancer but can still cause problems.
• Brain Metastases: These are tumors that move to the brain from cancers elsewhere in the body, like the lungs or breasts.

Primary vs. Secondary Brain Tumors

Brain tumors can be either primary or secondary. This affects how serious they are and how they’re treated.

What is a Spinal Cord Tumor?

The term spinal neoplasms means abnormal growths in or near the spinal cord. These growths can be different in where they are, what they are like, and how they affect the body. It’s important to know about the types of spinal cord tumors for diagnosis and treatment.

Spinal cord tumors are mainly two types: intradural tumors and extradural growths. Intradural tumors are inside the dura mater, the tough outer layer covering the spinal cord. They can be:

1. Intramedullary tumors, which start from the spinal cord itself.
2. Extramedullary tumors, which grow in the spinal cord’s covering but not in the nerve tissue.

Extradural growths are outside the dura mater and are often cancerous. They usually start from other body parts and spread to the spinal cord. Knowing the difference between intradural and extradural tumors helps decide on the best treatment.

Places like the Cleveland Clinic and Johns Hopkins Medicine say spinal neoplasms can be serious. They can affect how the nerves work and cause pain, weakness, and loss of feeling. Finding and understanding these tumors early is key to helping patients.

Causes and Risk Factors

Understanding what causes brain and spinal cord tumors is key. It helps us prevent, detect early, and treat them. These tumors come from both genes and the environment.

Genetic Factors

Genes play a big part in getting these tumors. People with certain family traits are more at risk. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke found genes like TP53 and NF1 linked to tumors.

Families with neurofibromatosis or Li-Fraumeni syndrome need to watch for signs. These conditions make getting tumors more likely.

Environmental Triggers

Things around us also affect getting these tumors. The Environmental Protection Agency says things like radiation and some chemicals can cause them. People who got a lot of radiation for other cancers or from work should know they’re at higher risk.

Being around chemicals like formaldehyde and vinyl chloride at work can also raise the risk. These chemicals are found in some industries.

Symptoms of Brain and Spinal Cord Tumors

Tumors in the brain and spinal cord show many symptoms. These depend on where and how big they are. Spotting these symptoms early helps with quick diagnosis and treatment. Brain and Spinal Cord Tumor Definition

Common Symptoms

Some symptoms are seen often:

• Headaches, often severe and differing from usual headaches.
• Seizures, which may occur in individuals with no prior history.
• Nausea and vomiting, particularly in the morning.
• Changes in speech or hearing.
• Unsteadiness and balance problems.

Specific Symptoms by Tumor Location

Where a tumor is in the brain or spinal cord affects its symptoms. Let’s see how different spots can cause different symptoms:

Knowing about these symptoms is key for catching tumors early. Places like the Mayo Clinic offer lots of info on these complex symptoms.

Diagnosing Brain and Spinal Cord Tumors

Brain and Spinal Cord Tumor Definition Getting a correct diagnosis of brain and spinal cord tumors is key to making a good treatment plan. Doctors use advanced imaging and biopsy to find out what kind of tumors they are dealing with.

Imaging Techniques

Imaging is very important for finding brain and spinal cord tumors. MRI scans and CT scans give clear pictures of the brain and spinal cord. They help spot any problems.

• An MRI scan uses magnetic fields and radio waves to make detailed pictures. It’s great for finding soft tissue tumors.
• A CT scan uses x-rays to make pictures from different angles. It helps see the structure and density of tumors.

Biopsy Procedures

Brain and Spinal Cord Tumor Definition Imaging is important, but sometimes a biopsy is needed to confirm the diagnosis. The type of biopsy depends on where the tumor is and what it’s like.

1. A lumbar puncture helps with spinal cord issues. It involves taking cerebrospinal fluid for tests.
2. For brain tumors, a stereotactic biopsy might be done. It uses images to get tissue samples.

Knowing about neuropathology is crucial. It means looking at tissue from biopsies to figure out the tumor type and its details. The results from MRI scans and CT scans, along with the biopsy, give a full diagnosis. This is key for making a treatment plan.

Treatment Options for Brain and Spinal Cord Tumors

Treating brain and spinal cord tumors needs a mix of methods. These include surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. Each method is chosen based on what the patient needs.

Surgery

Surgery is key in treating these tumors. Its main goal is to remove the tumor to ease symptoms and help the patient. Sometimes, surgery also helps get a sample for a clear diagnosis.

Brain and Spinal Cord Tumor Definition Thanks to new surgery methods, patients are doing better. These methods are less invasive but very effective.

Radiation Therapy

Radiotherapy is used alone or after surgery. It uses high-energy rays to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. New ways of doing radiation, like stereotactic radiosurgery, aim at the tumor without harming nearby healthy tissue.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy uses drugs to fight cancer cells. It’s often used with other treatments. New types of chemotherapy and how they are given have made treatment better. Doctors can now tailor chemotherapy to the patient’s tumor, making it more effective and safer.

Prognosis and Survival Rates

The chance of surviving brain and spinal cord tumors depends on many things. These include the type and stage of the tumor when found, and how well treatment works. The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program gives important survival stats. These help patients and doctors know what to expect with treatment and long-term care.

Brain and Spinal Cord Tumor Definition Gliomas, a type of brain tumor, have different survival chances. Glioblastoma patients usually face a tough road. But, thanks to early detection and better treatments like surgery, radiation, and chemo, survival rates have gotten better. For glioblastoma, the average survival is about 12-18 months. But, low-grade astrocytomas can lead to a longer life, often over five years.

Spinal cord tumors also have different survival chances based on their type and where they are. Meningiomas, usually not cancerous and easy to reach with surgery, have better treatment results. But, cancerous spinal cord tumors have a harder outlook. It’s key to have a treatment plan made just for each patient to improve survival and quality of life after treatment. Thanks to new medical tech and understanding these tumors better, survival rates and hope for those affected keep getting better.