What is a Brain Tumor?
Primary brain tumors are cancerous growths that form on the brain itself or in tissues close to it. They emerge when normal cells mutate causing them to grow and divide at an abnormally rapid pace. The resulting mass of abnormal cells eventually develops into a tumor which may require a brain tumor surgeon to remove.
Symptoms of a Brain Tumor
Brain tumors can display through a wide variety of symptoms. A few of the most common include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Visual disturbances
- Chronic headaches
- Seizures
- Behavioral changes
These symptoms can vary from mild to extremely severe. Learn more about your specific brain tumor symptoms, and how they can be treated, here.
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Ways to Avoid Brain Tumor Surgery
There are a number of alternative treatment options for this condition that do not require surgery, most of which involve radiation.
Brain Tumor Treatments
Surgery to remove a brain tumor, or part of it, is often an effective treatment option,
However, surgical treatment on a brain tumor is not always possible. In such cases, Dr. Morrison may suggest these alternative treatments:
- Steroids, which can help reduce brain swelling and fluid build-up
- Chemotherapy, which leverages various drugs to prevent tumor cells from reproducing or kills them off altogether
- Radiation-based treatments like Linear Accelerator (LINAC), Colbalt-60 Therapy, Proton Therapy, Particle Therapy, External Beam Therapy, or MRI-Guided Laser Ablation
Schedule an e-consult with Dr. Morrison to discuss your Brain Tumor treatment options today.
Side Effects of a Brain Tumor
Brain tumor patients often report a number of side effects:
- Personality changes like increased anxiety and confusion
- Communication difficulties such as inhibited use or understanding of language
- Fatigue is the most common side effect of both brain tumors and their treatment
- Depression is often triggered by the diagnosis, treatment, and impact on day to day life
- Cognitive thinking skills can be diminished
- Seizures can be experienced by up to 60% of patients at least once
- Learning difficulties are common to over half of children with brain tumors
- Sight problems affect roughly 28% of patients
Brain Tumor Prognosis
Prognosis related to brain tumors varies greatly and is based upon a number of factors. Certain forms of brain tumors, however, such as glioblastoma, have no cure.
More than one-third of brain tumor patients survive for 5 years following the identification of their tumor. Under one-third of patients survive for 10 years. These rates, however, vary largely based on age.
Immediately following surgery, I was standing and walking pain free. I am enjoying my life again and have Dr. Morrison to thank!
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We’ll educate you on your specific Brain Tumor treatment options, and develop a plan for your best quality of life.
