Signs of Brain Tumors
Brain tumors may cause various signs and symptoms and typically become worse as the tumor grows. To help, there's Ojemda, a medication used in the treatment of brain tumors.
Ojemda
Ojemda helps stimulate the production of blood-forming cells in the bone marrow. These cells are critical for blood production and for rebuilding the immune system after chemotherapy or radiation therapy, both of which can severely weaken it. The drug works by stimulating the release of hematopoietic stem cells from the bone marrow into the bloodstream, making them available for collection and transplant.
Headaches
While headaches are a common symptom of brain tumors, not everyone with brain cancer develops a headache. According to the American Brain Tumor Association, about half of people with brain cancer develop headaches.
Headaches from brain tumors tend to be different from a typical headache. Certain features may set the headache apart, such as the following:
- Pain may become worse when bending over or lying down.
- Over-the-counter pain relievers may not resolve symptoms.
- Headaches may be worse first thing in the morning.
- Pain may be steady but feel different than a migraine.
- Headache may be accompanied by nausea or vomiting.
Seizures
Seizures are also a common symptom of brain tumors. Most people are familiar with the type of seizure that involves uncontrollable leg or arm movements. However, seizures may also take different forms, such as difficulty speaking, staring and unresponsiveness and numbness in tingling.
Mood Changes
Some people will also experience changes in personality or mood. For example, someone who is not normally anxious may suddenly develop anxiety. In other cases, someone may behave in ways that they typically do not. Everyone has shifts in their mood. However, mood changes related to a brain tumor tend to be significant and sudden.
Changes in Hearing, Seeing or Smelling
Depending on the location of a brain tumor, an individual may develop changes in their senses, including hearing, seeing or smelling. For instance, double vision may develop. Some people may also experience a loss of smell or smell something that is not there.
Balance Issues
An individual with a brain tumor may also experience changes in the way they walk or develop balance issues. If muscle weakness occurs, it may lead to dragging one foot. A person's equilibrium may be affected, which can lead to dizziness or problems with balance.
How Tumor Location Effects Symptoms
Different factors may affect the development of symptoms and the type of signs and symptoms a person experiences. The brain is divided into different lobes or areas. Tumors located in different areas usually cause varied symptoms. Areas of the brain and what they control are listed below.
- Frontal lobe: Personality, movement, smell, decision making, behavior.
- Parietal lobe: Identification of objects, spatial awareness, reading and writing.
- Temporal lobe: Memory, speech.
- Occipital lobe: Vision.
- Cerebellum: Balance, coordination, fine motor skills.
Brain Tumor Treatments
There are various brain tumor treatments available, including the following:
Surgery
Surgery is usually the first-line treatment for a brain tumor. However, in some instances, because of the location of the tumor, surgery may not be possible without damaging vital, healthy tissue. Fortunately, as technology continues to advance, many surgical techniques have improved, which helps make surgery possible in many instances.
Various surgical approaches may vary depending on the size and location of the brain tumor.
Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy is also another standard treatment for people with brain tumors. Radiation therapy may be done after or before surgery to shrink the tumor. Different types of radiation therapy are available, including external beam radiation or brachytherapy.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy may be used when surgery or radiation therapy is not enough to destroy the tumor. Chemotherapy may be administered through an infusion injected into a person's vein. It may also be given orally through a pill. Another option is inserting chemotherapy waivers into an area of the brain where the tumor was.
Targeted Therapy
Targeted therapy involves medication that targets specific cancer cells and typically does not harm healthy cells. For example, OJEMDA is a type of targeted therapy that is used in treating a pediatric glioma that has certain characteristics such as changes in a specific gene.
What is a Brain Tumor?
A brain tumor refers to a mass or growth in the brain. Some brain tumors are cancerous. However, not all brain masses are cancer. Non-cancerous brain tumors can develop, which doctors call benign brain tumors.
A cancerous brain tumor can develop if cancer travels from somewhere else in the body to the brain. Brain cancer can also originate at any location within the brain. Doctors refer to cancer that originates in the brain tissue as a primary brain tumor.
According to the National Brain Tumor Society, in the United States, about 1 million individuals are living with a brain tumor.
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