Different Types of Brain Tumors

Recent studies by the American Cancer Society shows that the death rates from cancer have lowered significantly in recent years. It is now 20% lower than its peak in 1991. While scientists still have a long way to go, there has been a lot of advances in technology.
One of the surgical advances that has helped to treat brain cancer is deep brain stimulation (DBS). Recent ClearPoint technology has made DBS much more available to a wider range of patients. This type of neurosurgery is performed with lasers and proves to be much quicker and much less painful than traditional surgery.
There are many types of brain tumors that you can get. Here is a brief description of the different types of tumors and their symptoms:

• Acoustic Neuromas. It's official name is vestibular schwannoma. This tumor grows in Schwann cells and is most common in middle age. Their primary symptom is loss of hearing, but the larger ones will also cause headaches, vomiting, and altered consciousness. Another symptom of acoustic neuromas is neck pain. It can be treated by surgery and radiation therapy.
• Astrocytomas. These originate in glial cells in the cerebellum. They rarely leave the brain, but will sometimes spread to the spinal cord. There are several different types and grades of astrocytomas that can form. They can form at any age, although the more severe cases are generally found in adults. One can function perfectly for years with astrocytomas. They can be treated either through surgery or therapy.
• Glioblastoma multiforme. These are the most common types of brain tumors found in humans. They are the highest grade of astrocytoma and are very dangerous since they spread quickly. It can cause a wide variety of symptoms, including seizures, vomiting, headaches, and hemiparesis (weakness on one side of the body). They are extremely difficult to treat and different cases require different treatments. Some of the more common types of treatments include surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy.
• Meningioma. This is an array of tumors that develops from the meninges in the central nervous system. In most cases, they are benign. Symptoms that occur include weakness, focal seizures, and intracranial pressure. It is commonly observed, but in cases of malignancy, surgery or radiation may be performed.
• Pituitary tumors. Pituitary adenomas are tumors that are located in the pituitary gland. This results in hyperpituitarism which means that prolactin, adrenocorticotropic hormones, and growth hormones are over secreted. This will also cause headaches and also manifest in depression, anxiety, apathy, and emotional instability.

3 Signs That You Might Have Brain Cancer

Cancer is characterized by abnormal cell growth. This growth can happen in any part of the body, and it can either be benign or malignant. In layman terms, a benign tumor is a mass of cells that is centralized at a specific position, and it generally doesn't spread. On the other hand, a malignant tumor spreads and affects the other parts of the body. The tumors that spread are called cancer. Sometimes the cells in the brain lose their natural abilities and begin to divide abnormally, causing cancer. As with all kinds of cancer, it is difficult to exactly pinpoint the cause of brain cancer. An early identification and early intervention can go a long way in treating the disease to a certain extent.

The various parts of the brain are frontal lobe, parietal lobe, temporal lobe, cerebellum, brain stem, occipital lobe, meninges, nerves and spinal cord. Brain cancer symptoms differ based on the location of the tumor as each part of the brain is responsible for a particular task or ability. For example, a tumor in the frontal lobe may affect your personality and moods while a tumor in the occipital lobe could have a direct effect on your vision.

The three most important signs that could indicate you might have brain cancer are:

Headache

Headache is a symptom for a wide range of diseases. But,if you're suffering from severe pain in the head, especially in the mornings as soon as you get up, then you should definitely check with your doctor and have a scan done. The headaches may increase in frequency and severity as time progresses. They could be accompanied by general body fatigue and sickness.

Seizures or Fits

When a tumor develops in a particular region of the brain, it could affect the nerves in that area. So, there may be slight to serious jerks or twitches of various parts of the body.

Drowsiness

The growing tumor may cause brain fatigue, so you'll feel sleepy and lethargic even during the day. If it persists, consult a doctor immediately.

General Symptoms of Brain Cancer

    General body weakness
    Change in personality
    Changes in emotional characteristics
    Changes in organizational and planning abilities
    Unexplained vomiting, nausea and headache
    Difficulties in vision and speech
    Clumsiness

3 Tips for Helping to Prevent Brain Cancer

What is Brain Cancer?

Brain cancer is an abnormal growth of cells in the brain. Typically, cells stop dividing after they grow old. But cancer cells are forever young and keep on dividing. So, there is a buildup of cells in a particular region of the brain, which grows into a tumor. Some tumors are benign and stay in the same place while malignant or cancerous tumors spread to other parts of the body.

What causes this malignant tumor?

The causative agent of brain cancer is not clearly known. It could be caused due to virus or exposure to harmful radiations and carcinogens. Cancer could even be a genetic condition.

How to Prevent this Cancerous Condition?

Even with the latest developments in the field of medicine, we have not yet come up with an effective treatment for cancer. So, we should look for ways to prevent this disease. The top three tips for helping prevent brain cancer are:

Avoid Exposure to Carcinogens

The best way to keep cancer away is by staying away from carcinogens. There are many substances that have been proved to have cancer-causing effects. If you're living in an area that has a chemical factory, which releases harmful carcinogens into the air, then move away from that place. Though not conclusively proved, studies have shown that radiations from the cell phone could be carcinogenic. So, keep your cell phone away from you, especially during nighttime. It has been well researched that cigarettes have plenty of chemicals that could cause lung cancer. These harmful chemicals may have a detrimental effect on the brain too.

Say YES to Healthy Food

In most indigenous medical practices, food is medicine. These treatment techniques use different types of food to build immunity and treat diseases. Add lean meat, garlic, walnut, linseed and fishes to your diet as they are rich in omega 3-fatty acids, which helps prevent cancer. Apple, spinach, broccoli, pineapple and other vegetables and fruits rich in antioxidants help improve your immune system.

Check Your Family's Medical History

Sometimes cancer could be genetically passed from generation to generation. So, check your family's medical history to find out if there is anyone in the family tree who may have suffered from the disease. If yes, then go for a medical checkup at the earliest to rule out any chances of getting this disease. Most cancer conditions can be treated during the early stages, so get a complete health checkup done immediately.

Is My Cell Phone Slowly Damaging My Brain?

The first time I wondered whether mobile phones affect the cells of the brain was when I had placed my cell phone near the computer monitor. The computer system I use has the old-modeled CRT monitor. I had just placed the phone near the monitor, and after some time I saw a lot of disturbance on the screen. Thinking that I had received a text or a call, I checked my mobile phone; there was nothing. That's when I wondered if the phone was emitting some kind of electronic wave all the time, even when it was not being used. I generally keep the mobile phone near my head when I fall asleep. So, are those waves or impulses, whatever that are being emitted from the phone affecting my brain?

Worried, I decided to do some research. I found that there has been a lot of research done in the recent past, especially after cell phones became so very popular. One study showed that the radiations from the cell phone considerably increased brain cell activity. There are other research studies that show that the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the phones could even be carcinogenic.

Way back in 2011, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) grouped radiations from the cell phone under Group 2B. According to their lingo, this classification means that the radiations could be possibly carcinogenic. Only further research will show the entire truth.

One group of researchers conducted a study with 47 healthy adults. Some of them were asked to hold the phone near their ear while others were asked to do the same, but with the phone switched off. The researchers found considerable brain activity in those who held the phones that were switched on.

It is yet to be scientifically documented if these waves cause any significant damage to the brain cells. But if we look at the way the few studies are going, it could mean that the omnipresent cell phone could soon become the bane of our life. Another frightening aspect we should think about is how these radiations could affect children's brains. Not only are their skulls thinner than that of the adults, but the brains are not yet fully developed. So, could this mean that cell phone radiations are even more dangerous for them?

Causes of Brain Cancer

Abnormal growth of the cells in the brain is termed as brain tumor. This type of tumor may begin in the brain itself or arise as an offshoot from other types of cancers. Primary tumor or cancer that originates in the brain is of many types such as meningioma, acoustic neuroma, pineoblastoma, ependymoma and oligodendroglioma. The name of the cancer is derived from the type of cell that the cancer originates from. Brain cancer is almost always lethal and could lead to a suite of other health problems. Due to its highly intricate nature, brain cancer study is going on at a very slow pace.

The top 3 causes of brain cancer are:

DNA Mutation

Cancer occurs when the cell loses its ability to die. In plain speaking, the cells become immortal. And they start multiplying quickly and proliferate at great speeds. It is believed that this change occurs in the cell due to a mutation (change) in the DNA structure of the cell. The abnormal cells have no place to move and start lumping in the location, creating bumps or tumors that we see. Soon, these cells start infecting other cells and make them cancerous.

Age and Gender

Though people of all ages have the risk of getting brain cancer, the rate of occurrence becomes higher with increasing age. Statistics has shown that men are more prone to this brain disease than women. Females, on the other hand, have more non-cancerous type of tumors.

Heredity

Genetic conditions also have a major role in causing cancer. Children of cancer patients are more prone to this disease.

Medical Conditions

It has been found that those suffering from medical conditions such as Neurofibromatosis, Turcot syndrome, Gorlin syndrome, Von Hippel-Lindau syndrome, AIDS and Li-Fraumeni syndrome are more prone to cancer.

Miscellaneous Causes

The harmful UV rays have been found to be one of the major causes of skin cancer. Whether these rays damage the cells of the brain is yet to be studied. Smoking, alcohol, hair dye and other chemicals are believed to be carcinogens (cancer-causing agents). Recently there are a lot of studies about how use of mobile phones could be linked to brain cancer. Some research studies also link brain cancer to living in proximity to areas that have high power lines. It is believed that children who are exposed to radiotherapy for other treatments could have a higher risk of brain cancer.

The Season of Miracles

During the holiday season it seems everyone steps back to reflect on the year that is coming to an end. This year I will not only think back on the sadness of the year but also the many blessings and miracles all around me.

Katie was diagnosed with a malignant glioblastoma in January of 2013. A high school senior she was looking forward to Prom, Senior trip, Graduation and College. Her life and ours was about to change forever. Katie endured surgery, radiation and bi-weekly chemotherapy. In that time she still went to Disney with her senior class (school nurse and mom in tow). She went to prom as radiant and gorgeous as ever and she walked in graduation. Katie wanted to live as normal a life as possible, hence her saying "Love the Life you Live".; Katie's journey ended this summer after an 18 month battle.

Why does it take a tragedy of a young woman's life being ended in such a horrible way to wake everyone around her to appreciate life?

My friend drove home after Katie's funeral and told me she found herself angry at all of our neighbors for not knowing the pain our family was suffering. Her comment really made me think. I'm as guilty as the next person. Do we ever really know what is going on in someone else' life or what their pain is?

These past months after losing Katie I have really tried to open my eyes to the people and world around me. There are little miracles happening everywhere if we can just stop to notice. Notice the smile on the old lady's face in the checkout line when you say "Good Morning" to her. Watch for the good Samaritan helping the old man across the street. How about watching a baby take his first steps. The "Make a Wish" foundation sent Katie and hundreds of children on incredible family trips during their struggles. Little miracles putting smiles on people's faces.

In my professional life I assist prospective franchise owners in selecting and investigating the best franchise for their life goals. I hope that my life experience this past year has made me a better coach for my clients. I listen to them and try to really feel what they are going through.Only then can I even hope to advise them on which franchise might allow them to balance their life and relationship goals with their career goals. Life is too short to spend it in an office building away from your family working for someone else who may or not really care about you.

Reasons for Brain Cancers

Anomalous development from the cells inside the mind is termed as cerebrum advance. This type of tumor can begin in as their pharmaceutical partner itself or even emerge as a branch from different manifestations of sorts of malignancy. Vital progress or perhaps increase cause harm to that starts.inside the mind is of different sorts like meningioma, acoustic neuroma, pineoblastoma, ependymoma furthermore oligodendroglioma. The name from the malignancy originates from the manifestation of the cell how the growth emerges from. Cerebrum tumor is really constantly deadly and may prompt a room of extra wellbeing issues. Due for you with its profoundly mind boggling attributes, cerebrum growth danger study is aimed at a fantastically moderate rate.

The best 3 purposes behind cerebrum growth danger are:

    DNA Mutation

Growth happens if your cell figures out a way to lose its energy to execute. Inside plain talking, the cells have to be unfading. In addition they begin spreading rapidly furthermore multiply with enormous information exchange speeds. It is really accepted that it changes happens inside the cell due to a (change) inside the DNA structure from the cell. The unnatural cells don't have a spot to progress and begin jumping inside the area, making blobs or tumors that a significant number of us see. Quickly, these cells begin contaminating some extra cells and make them destructive.

    Time and Girl or kid

In spite of the fact that individuals of pages contain the danger of getting cerebrum tumor harm, the rate of the event gets to be bigger with developing age. Measurements demonstrate that men will be more inclined to the mind illness than ladies of all ages. Females, then again, have a lot all the more non-destructive manifestation of tumors.

    Legacy

Hereditary conditions additionally give a key part all through creating tumor harm. Kids with respect to disease patients will be more oriented to the illness.

Well being conditions:

It has been observed in which those influenced by restorative conditions like Neurofibromatosis, Turcot manifestations, Gorlin indications, Von Hippel-Lindau side effects. Helps furthermore Li-Fraumeni disorder will be more inclined for you to disease.

Random Leads to:

Destructive Ultraviolet beams have likewise been found being one of the real purposes behind skin malignancy danger. Whether these sorts of beams harm the cells from the mind are really effectively being focused on. Smoking cigarettes, liquor, hair color alongside chemicals are viewed as cancer-causing agents (malignancy bringing on operators). As of late there is a considerable measure of studies about how correctly exact utilization of cellular telephones could be joined with mind malignancy danger. Some clinical tests additionally site connection mind malignancy threat to live in the vicinity to you in regions which may have high electric electrical cables. It is really trusted in which youngsters who face radiotherapy concerning additional medications may have a bigger danger with respect to mind malignancy harm.

Scorpion Venom: A New Cure for Treating Brain Tumor

In the field of medicine, brain surgery is considered as one of the most delicate operations, which is performed by surgeons. But with the help of latest research it has been found that this job is no more difficult as physicians soon could be able to paint tumors that will help in increasing the visibility of tumors. All this would be possible with the help of nature's deadliest venoms of Scorpions.

Since ages doctors are removing cancer, which is the only way to remove it. No doubt, dealing with brain tumors is often tricky as the surgery can be difficult; it requires an expert eye and steady hand to remove all of the cancer.

After decades of intense research, scientists are successful in developing a molecule that illuminates cancer cells, which is developed by using scorpion venom. This molecule will surely help surgeons navigate delicate brain operations.

Dr. James Olson is the man behind the development of the molecule which will turn tumor cells radioactive. Once he was questioned about his future plans by one of his professors then he told that he wants to deliver light to cancer which means that he wants to develop something that helps in making cancer cells shine so that they can be easily identified.

The goal behind creating the molecule is to navigate tricky tumors-removing surgeries in real time. Not only was this the main purpose of the creation but also it is developed to guide new therapies for breast, brain, skin, prostate, colon and other cancers.

The scorpion venom connects itself to cells that are not healthy and provides surgeons a "flashlight" to identify the tumorous cells, which eventually make it much easier for them to perform the surgery.

The occurrence of brain tumor and intracranial neoplasm is associated with the formation of abnormal cells within the brain. However, there are two main types of brain tumors, one is malignant or cancerous and the other is benign tumors. Almost all types of brain tumors develop certain symptoms that vary according to the part of the brain involved. The symptoms include vomiting, headaches, problem with vision, seizures and mental changes.

The causes of majority of brain tumors are still unidentified. However, some risk factors may occasionally be involved which include ionizing radiation, Epstein-Barr virus and number of genetic syndromes such as exposure to the chemical vinyl chloride. For the treatment of tumors several things are used in combination such as surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

Brain Tumor Cancer Types And Treatment Options

Brain cancer is a disease in which particular cells in the brain grow and form a mass that interferes with the general functioning of the brain like muscle control, sensation, memory and such other functions that help you control your body. Tumors that are made up of cancerous cells grow and spread to other parts of the brain. These are called malignant tumors. Those tumors that are non cancerous, do not spread and are basically localized. These are called benign tumors. Primary tumors are those that develop in the brain cells. Secondary tumors are those that develop in other parts of the body and then spread to the brain. These are also called as metastatic tumors.

Brain cancer grades

There are four different classifications of brain cancers:

Grade I - Benign tumors with a slow growth rate. Look like normal brain cells.

Grade II - Malignant tumors that look less normal than Grade I tumors.

Grade III - Malignant tumors that look very different from normal cells. They grow actively and look distinctly abnormal.

Grade IV - Malignant tumors with distinctly abnormal looking cells that grow and spread rapidly.

Brain tumor cancer treatment

Brain cancer treatment approach is customized as per individual diagnosis. The treatments depend on the cancer type, the location in the brain, the size of the tumor and the age and general health of the patient.

The treatment options for brain tumors are categorized as surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy. As per individual diagnosis, a combination of any of the above mentioned methods is used.

With surgery, the tumor is cut away from normal tissues. This is an invasive approach to treat cancer. The other two methods are non invasive. Radiation therapy helps destroy the tumor with high energy radiation that is focused on the tumor to destroy the cells. It destroys the ability of the tumor to replicate and spread. Generally X - Rays or Gamma rays are used for this purpose. The radiation is highly focused and does not affect the healthy tissues surrounding the tumor.

In chemotherapy, certain drugs and medicines are used to destroy the tumor causing cells. There are many types of drugs used. These drugs are designed to fight different types of cancer cells. The entire procedure keeps the healthy cells safe from the effects of the drugs.

Some tumors are declared as inoperable because, surgically removing them can negatively impact other parts of the brain. The surgeon takes this call. However, it is very important to understand that one surgeon may declare a tumor inoperable, but another surgeon may be able to operate it. It's a good idea to take a few opinions before giving up.

Other treatment options may include heat treatments and immunotherapy. For all the procedures mentioned, there are some side effects. With surgery, there could be swelling, a possible damage to healthy tissues or seizures. With chemotherapy, patients can experience nausea, vomiting, hair loss and low energy levels. Radiation therapy is known to have similar side effects as chemotherapy.

Aditya Birla Memorial Hospital in India which providing surgical and non surgical treatments for all types of cancers including brain tumor cancer treatment and shares information to awareness of treatment options for brain cancer.

Did the Power of Prayer or Pembrolizumab Cure Former President Jimmy Carter?

Former US president Jimmy Carter announced his brain cancer has disappeared, but is it due to a miracle or a medical miracle?

In August 2015 former President Carter had elective surgery to remove a tumor on his liver. As a part of the process a scan discovered four spots on his brain. The diagnosis was stage IV melanoma. Stage IV melanoma is a kind of cancer that starts in the cells that produce the pigment that gives your skin its color, known as melanocytes. A stage IV diagnosis means it has spread via the bloodstream, or through the lymphatic system, to other areas of the body. The American Cancer Society (ACS) estimates that approximately 76,160 cases of melanoma (also referred to as malignant melanoma) were diagnosed in the United States in 2014. While melanoma accounts for only approximately 5% of skin cancer cases, it is estimated to be responsible for the vast majority of skin cancer deaths. The prognosis is generally not good for a person diagnosed with stage IV melanoma, especially one that has spread to the liver and the brain. The overall 5-year survival rate is about 15% to 20%, depending on the age and overall health of the person. The median survival is 6-10 months. The traditional course of treatment is surgery to remove tumors, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and more recently, clinical trials, targeted therapy and immunotherapy. However, these numbers may be changing as the newer immunotherapy and targeted therapy have led to important improvements in patient outcomes. Recently an immunotherapy treatment made the news when it arrested acute lymphoblastic leukemia, saving the life of an infant in the UK.

Pembrolizumab breakthrough treatment

Former President Jimmy Carter was given a new breakthrough treatment Pembrolizumab. Pembrolizumab is sold under the brand name Keytruda and was developed by Merck & Co., Inc. in the United States. In September 2014 it was one of the first immunotherapy drugs approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Instead of killing cancer cells, immunotherapy drugs are designed to boost the body's immune system to fight cancer. Pembrolizumab is a monoclonal antibody. Recent studies involving Pembrolizumab have shown the drug has increased overall survival of melanoma patients. Although the long term outlook is still unknown, it is only thought to extend survival in patients and not necessarily be a cure.

Science Proves the Healing Power of Prayer

It's no secret that former President Jimmy Carter is a devout man. Carter was born and raised in Plains, Georgia as a Southern Baptist. He continued his religious beliefs into adulthood. He attends church everywhere he travels, teaches Sunday school, performs missionary work and is known to pray every day. Prayer groups around the world have undoubtedly been praying for the healing of the former President, along with his family and friends. For the devout, there never has been any question that prayer has the power to heal, but others are skeptical and want scientific proof. Current research from leading hospitals and universities across the U.S. has shown conclusively a belief in God really is good for you, making you healthier and happier, and helping you live longer. Prayer is a practice that reaches across all religions, and even to those who do not believe in a deity. "Studies have shown prayer can prevent people from getting sick - and when they do get sick, prayer can help them get better faster," Duke University's Harold G. Koenig, M.D., states. An extensive review of more than 1,500 reputable medical studies "indicates people who are more religious and pray more have better mental and physical health." And out of 125 studies that looked at the link between health and regular worship, 85 showed regular churchgoers live longer. A CNN poll concluded that 73% of Americans believe in the power of prayer. Research that primarily focused on the power of prayer in healing has almost doubled in the last decade.