Although such growths are popularly called brain tumors, not all brain tumors are cancer. Cancer is a term reserved for malignant tumors.
Malignant tumors can grow and spread aggressively, overpowering healthy cells by taking their space, blood, and nutrients. They can also spread to distant parts of the body. Like all cells of the body, tumor cells need blood and nutrients to survive.
Tumors that don’t invade nearby tissue or spread to distant areas are called benign.
In general, a benign tumor is less serious than a malignant tumor. But a benign tumor can still cause problems in your brain by pressing on nearby tissue.
In the U.S., brain or nervous system tumors affect about 6 of every 1,000 people.
Not all brain tumors cause symptoms. Your doctor may not even find some (like tumors of the pituitary gland) unless they do an imaging test like CT scan or MRI for another reason.
There are many symptoms of brain cancer. But some of them are also caused by other illnesses. The only way to know for sure what is causing your symptoms is to get tested.
Symptoms can result from:
A tumor pressing on or encroaching on other parts of your brain and keeping them from working like they should.
Swelling in your brain caused by the tumor or surrounding inflammation.
Primary and metastatic brain cancers have similar symptoms. These are the most common:
Headaches are thought to be a common symptom of brain cancer, but you may not get them until you’ve had the disease for a while. If you notice any significant change in your headache pattern, your doctor may suggest that you go to the hospital.
If you have a brain tumor, any new symptoms or relatively sudden or rapid worsening of symptoms warrants a trip to the nearest hospital emergency department. Be on the lookout for the following new symptoms:
Seizures
Changes in mental status, such as excessive sleepiness, memory problems, or inability to concentrate
Visual changes or other sensory problems
Trouble with speech or in expressing yourself
Changes in behavior or personality
Clumsiness or trouble walking
Persistent nausea or vomiting (especially in middle-aged or older people)
Radiation oncologists (doctors who practice radiation therapy)
Your primary doctor
Your team may also include a dietitian, a social worker, a physical therapist, and other specialists.
The most widely used treatments are surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. In most cases, more than one of these is used.
The treatment you get will depend on:
The type of tumor
The size and location of the tumor
Your age and overall health
The risks of a particular treatment
Other medical problems you have
The treatment you most prefer
Brain Cancer Surgery
Many people with a brain tumor undergo surgery. During the operation, the surgeon will confirm that you have a tumor and then try to remove all of it. If the surgeon can’t remove the tumor, they’ll take a sample to identify its type.
In some cases, mostly in benign tumors, removing the tumor will cure your symptoms.
You may get several treatments and procedures before surgery. For example:
You may take a steroid drug, like dexamethasone (Decadron), to relieve swelling.
You may get an anticonvulsant drug to relieve or prevent seizures.
If cerebrospinal fluid is collecting around your brain, your doctor may put in a thin, plastic tube called a shunt to drain the fluid. One end of the shunt goes in the space where fluid collects. The other is threaded under your skin to another part of your body. The fluid drains from your brain to a place where you can get rid of it easily.
Common types of surgery include:
Craniotomy. This is the surgery most often used to remove a brain tumor. The surgeon starts by cutting through your scalp. They’ll remove a piece of skull to expose your brain. Then they’ll remove the entire tumor or as much as possible. The surgeon places the piece of skull back into position and sews the scalp together.
Neuroendoscopy. The surgeon makes a small hole in the skull or goes through the nose or mouth, depending on the location of the tumor. They’ll use small tools to remove the tumor. One of these has a tiny camera that sends images back to a monitor next to the operating table. The surgeon uses these images to find and remove the tumor.
If a new tumor appears, you may need a second surgery.
Brain Cancer Treatment Follow-up Care
Brain tumor surgery usually requires at least a few days of recovery in the hospital. The time could be longer depending on your age, overall health, and the type of treatment. You may need chemotherapy or radiation therapy after surgery. That could also affect how much time you spend in the hospital.
You may get painless tests, like computed tomography (CT) and MRI, during recovery. Both of these provide doctors with images of the brain to help them see if there have been any changes.
Depending on your condition, you may need a stay in a rehabilitation center.
A team of doctors and nurses will care for you. Together, they’ll come up with a post-surgery treatment and recovery plan. Some of the specialists you may see include:
A physical therapist to help with walking and other large-muscle activities
An occupational therapist to help with smaller muscle function, such as using eating utensils, buttoning a shirt, brushing teeth, and similar activities
A speech therapist to help improve talking and communication skills
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