Brain cancer
Note: The information on cancer types on the ACRF website is not designed to provide medical or professional advice and is for information only. If you have any health problems or questions please consult your doctor.
Overview
Brain cancer can occur in either of two ways: as a primary tumor (one that originates in that area) or as a metastasis (a secondary tumor that spreads from a cancer elsewhere in the body).
‘Tumour’ is a general term for a swelling or new growth of tissue. Most malignant tumours contain cancerous cells that are very different from normal cells; most benign tumours are made up of cells that are often similar to normal cells.
Brain tumours may be malignant or benign; however, because the brain is enclosed in the skull, even benign tumours can be dangerous. The skull cannot expand to make room for a growing tumour, so the tumour may press on or damage delicate brain tissue. Therefore, even a benign brain tumour can become life threatening. Some benign brain tumours can also eventually give rise to malignant cells. For these reasons, instead of ‘malignant’ or ‘benign’, brain tumours are usually described as being ‘high-grade’ (rapidly growing) or ‘low-grade’ (slowly growing).
The World Health Organization recognizes 126 different types of central nervous system tumors. Most are defined according to the type of cells from which they arise. The most common of these tumours in adults are:
- Meningiomas membranes lining the brain (meninges)
- Glioblastomas supportive cells of the brain (astrocytes)
- Lower-Grade astrocytomas, oligodendrocytomas supportive cells of the brain (astrocytes, oligodendrocytes)
- Pituitary tumors pituitary epithelial cells
- Schwannomas cells that wrap around peripheral nerves (Schwann cells)
Brain cancer treatment
Tumours of the brain may be treated with one or a combination of:
- Surgery
- Chemotherapy
- Radiotherapy
- Steroid therapy
The choice of treatment will depend on the type, size and location of the tumour, as well as your age, medical health and general state of health.
The aim of treatment is to remove the tumour, or if it cannot be removed, to slow the tumours’ growth and relieve symptoms by shrinking the tumour and any swelling around it.
Surgery
Some tumours can be removed completely by surgery.
If a tumour has spread, or if it cannot be removed without damaging other important parts of the brain, the surgeon may be able to remove part of the tumour. This will improve your symptoms by reducing the pressure on the rest of the brain.
Removing all or part of the tumour often improves your condition and lets you lead an active life for sometime.
Types of brain surgery:
- Craniotomy; the tumour is removed completely.
- Shunts; if a fluid build up in the brain is a problem, the surgeon may put in a small permanent tube just under the skin, called a shunt, to take the extra fluid from the brain into the abdomen.
- Biopsy; a portion of the tumour is removed and looked at under a microscope to see what type of tumour you have.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is a treatment for cancer using anti-cancer drugs. The aim is to slow the growth and stop reproduction of the cancer cells. Chemotherapy may be used alone or with radiotherapy.
Your doctor will decide on the dose and frequency of the treatment. Each treatment will usually be followed by a rest period of a few weeks to allow your body to recover from any side effects. The number of courses given will depend on the type of tumour and how well it is responding to the drugs.
Chemotherapy is normally administered through a drip, or can be administered in tablet form.
Radiotherapy
Radiotherapy treats cancer by using x-rays to kill or injure cancer cells so they cannot multiply. These x-rays permit the delivery of the highest possible radiation dosage targeted precisely to the tumour, therefore doing as little harm as possible to the surrounding healthy tissues.
The treatment is usually given over several weeks. The length of treatment will depend on the size and type of the tumour and on your general health.
