Brain Cancer

Brain Cancer Overview

Brain cancer involves the growth of abnormal cells in the tissues of the brain or the central spinal canal. Due to its critical location, brain cancer can have significant effects on bodily functions and requires immediate and specialized medical attention. Here’s an overview of brain cancer, focusing on its types, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment, particularly in the context of the UK's healthcare system.

Understanding Brain Cancer

Brain cancer can arise as primary brain cancer, which starts within the brain itself, or more commonly as secondary (metastatic) brain cancer, which represents cancers that have spread to the brain from other parts of the body. Primary brain tumors can be either malignant, containing cancer cells, or benign, without cancer cells.

Types of Brain Cancer

Gliomas:
- These tumors begin in the brain or spinal cord and include a variety of types, such as astrocytomas, ependymomas, and glioblastomas, the latter being particularly aggressive.
Meningiomas:
- A tumor that forms on membranes covering the brain and spinal cord just inside the skull. Most meningiomas are benign.
Acoustic Neuromas (Schwannomas)
- Benign tumors that develop on the nerves controlling balance and hearing leading from your inner ear to your brain
Pituitary Adenomas:
- These are typically benign tumors that occur in the pituitary gland.
Medulloblastomas
- These are the most common cancerous brain tumors in children. Medulloblastomas come from the lowest rear part of the brain and tend to spread through spinal fluid.
Primary Central Nervous System (CNS) Lymphomas:
- These are malignant tumors that start in lymphatic cells of the brain's immune system.

Symptoms of Brain Cancer

Symptoms of brain cancer vary depending on the tumor type and its location, which affects which brain functions are controlled by that area. Common symptoms include:

Persistent headaches
Unexplained nausea or vomiting
Vision problems, such as blurred vision, double vision, or loss of peripheral vision
Gradual loss of sensation or movement in an arm or a leg
Difficulty with balance
Speech difficulties
Confusion in everyday matters
Personality or behavior changes
Seizures, especially in someone who doesn't have a history of seizures

Diagnosis of Brain Cancer

Diagnosing brain cancer typically involves a number of steps:

Neurological Exam:
- Checking vision, hearing, balance, coordination, strength, and reflexes
Imaging Tests:
- MRI and CT scans are the most common tests used to help diagnose brain tumors.
Biopsy
- Removing a small sample of tissue for testing, sometimes done during surgery to remove the tumor.

Treatment Options

Treatment for brain cancer is highly individualised and based on several factors, including the type, size, and location of the tumor, as well as the patient's overall health:

Surgery:
- Attempting to remove as much of the tumor as possible while minimising damage to vital brain functions.
Radiation Therapy:
- Often used post-surgery to destroy leftover tumor cells, prevent recurrence, or in inoperable cases to control tumor growth.
Chemotherapy:
- Checking vision, hearing, balance, coordination, strength, and reflexes
Chemotherapy:
- Utilised to kill cancer cells, often used in conjunction with surgery and radiation.
Targeted Drug Therapy:
- Focuses on specific abnormalities present within cancer cells. By blocking these abnormalities, targeted drug treatments can cause cancer cells to die.
Immunotherapy
- Uses the body’s immune system to fight cancer.

Brain cancer is a complex disease requiring a coordinated treatment approach. Early diagnosis and tailored treatment plans are critical for improving the outcomes and quality of life for those affected. In the UK, patients have access to a variety of resources through the NHS and supportive organisations dedicated to managing this challenging condition.