Brain+Cancer

Brain Tumors  __ Statistics and Facts __ : • According to the American Cancer Society, in 2012: -about 22,910 malignant brain/spinal cord tumors will be diagnosed -about 13,700 people will die from these tumors • The chance that a person will develop a malignant brain/spinal cord tumor in his/her life is less than 1%. • Brain tumors are the leading cause of solid tumor cancer death in children under the age of 20. • The long-term survival rate (over 5 years) for people with primary brain cancer varies from less than 10% to about 32% despite aggressive treatments.

__ Types of Brain Tumors __ :    • There are more than 120 types of brain tumors. • Primary cancer is developed in the brain. • Metastatic cancer begins elsewhere in the body and spreads to the brain. • Specific brain tumors include:    • gliomas • astrocytomas     • medulloblastomas     • meningiomas     • gangliogliomas     • schwannomas      • craniopharyngiomas __ Symptoms __ :  • Not all types of brain tumors cause symptoms. • Symptoms are numerous and can be much like those caused from more common illnesses. • Symptoms can be caused by: -tumors pressing against other structures of the brain and preventing them from functioning properly     -swelling in the brain  • Symptoms include:  -headache, nausea, difficulty walking or speaking, clumsiness, seizures, abnormal vision, changes in concentration, memory, attention, or alertness  • Symptoms are similar for men, women, and children. __ Diagnosis __ :    • CT scan of the brain using injected die to highlight abnormal areas     • MRI scan      • Tumor biopsy  -Only way to know if the tumor is a cancer growth. -The most common type is the craniotomy which is surgically opening the skull and removing the entire tumor if possible. -Stereotactic biopsy is used with a CT scan or MRI to remove part of the tumor without opening the skull. __ Treatment __ : • Treatment depends on the patient’s age and overall health as well as the tumor’s location, size, grade, and type. • The three most common treatments are: -surgery -chemotherapy -radiation therapy • Many times more than one treatment is used. • Patients may receive medication to reduce swelling in the brain or prevent seizures.

__ Risk Factors __ :  • Family history (only in a few cases)        • Presence of immune system disorders     • Exposure to radiation and chemicals __ Prevention __ :    • Very difficult to prevent because there is no known cause. • Avoid radiation to the head    • Avoid toxic chemicals      • Avoid HIV infection Resources: [|http://][|www.cancer.org]   [|http://][|www.emedicinehealth.com]   [|http://][|www.abta.org] Sliderocket 10/10 presentation: media type="custom" key="12679078"