The word tumor usually causes fear in the population because it has very negative connotations as it is directly associated with cancer, but a tumor does not always have to imply cancer. A tumor is any enlargement of the normal volume of cellular tissues due to an abnormal functioning of the cells. These cells may or may not be benign, which will influence the treatment we carry out.
The location of the tumor in the body is a variant that can define its level of danger. Having a tumor in the belly is not the same risk as in the brain, it will always be more dangerous if it is in an area as sensitive as the brain. In this FastlyHealarticle, we are going to learn about the initial symptoms and signs of a brain tumor.
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Types of tumors
As we have discussed previously, there are benign and malignant tumors. The benign ones are, simply, an accumulation of cell mass that is generated slowly and progressively and that does not have an accentuated or fast growth that could imply a dysfunction in our body immediately. In addition, it does not attack the cells or organs of our body. They can appear in any part of the body and are not linked to a malfunction of the specific part, thus removing them usually disappear.
On the other hand, there are malignant tumors. These are made up of one or more cells that increase the volume of cellular tissue and that spread rapidly and invade other tissues or organs. This invasion is carried out through the lymphatic or blood system and produces alterations in our cells and in our bodily well-being. This process of cell reproduction is known as metastasis and the malignant tumor is what we call cancer.
In addition, these two types of tumors, that is, the increase in tissue mass and the proliferation of cells can appear caused by the abnormal functioning of a single cell, and then we would speak of neoplasia, or by that of several different cells, and in this case we would refer to hyperplasia.
Brain tumors
When a tumor is in the brain, regardless of whether it is benign or not, we are in a situation of risk , since it can affect neuronal functioning and neurological connections and could cause brain damage and, consequently, other parts of the body. Obviously, if we are faced with a malignant tumor, the risks are greater and there is a greater danger than in the opposite case.
The brain tumor can be caused by a storage of cells in the specific area or by the metastasis of another tumor located in another part of the body. They tend to be located on the inside of the skull, which makes it difficult to visualize or palpate the outside. Depending on its location, the risk of suffering from a tumor will be higher or lower, since it will influence and harm one area or another of the brain and, consequently, will have its effect on one or other functions.
By increasing the size of the cellular tissue and causing a concentration of cells, it can create pressure in certain areas of the brain and if it increases considerably, it can generate movement in the brain to subtly change its location that can lead to irreparable damage to the brain tissue.
Initial symptoms and signs of brain tumor
As we have said, the brain tumor can affect in very different ways depending on the area in which it is located and the functions that that area generates. The initial symptoms can be very subtle and difficult to observe, since its repercussion on the body level is not yet serious. We are going to know the symptoms and signs of a brain tumor:
- Targeted symptoms: loss of vision, speech difficulties, numbness in any part of the body, loss of smell, inability to walk or coordinate movements, etc. These specific symptoms are usually accompanied by some of the others and are due to the specific dysfunction of the area affected by the tumor.
- Headache and headaches: the obstruction that the tumor can generate in the circulatory pathways can lead to headaches and headaches.
- Nausea and vomiting: Poor circulation, distorted blood flow, or impaired digestive function can lead to constant nausea and vomiting.
- Seizures : The tumor can affect the general nervous system and cause certain abnormal neuronal connections that cause bodily seizures and epileptic seizures.
- Fainting : in the same way that it can cause seizures, it can also cause loss of muscle tone and the consequent fall but with full consciousness or poor brain oxygenation that leads to syncope or fainting.
- Memory loss: if it affects the frontal lobe, we may notice difficulties in remembering some aspects of our life, present or past.
- Inattention: it can alter our entire nervous system causing a lack of attention and concentration.
- Loss of perception of space: when it affects the temporal lobe, we can have difficulty perceiving space and it can cause us to fall or objects to fall from our hands.
- Loss of balance and dizziness: indicates that the tumor is in the cerebellum and, therefore, these functions are altered.
- Insomnia or drowsiness: since our nervous system is affected, basic functions are also altered and we can suffer consequences such as insomnia or otherwise drowsiness.
- Changes in personality: our personality is structured in the brain. If you notice that it is changing unexpectedly, that you acquire behaviors that you have never had before or that you feel in a constant mood change, perhaps it could be an alteration due to a brain tumor.
- Loss of sphincter control: Another symptom is the momentary loss of sphincter control. It is a very specific focused symptom, but it can indicate the existence of a tumor in some part of the brain.
Diagnosis and treatment of brain tumor
If you have noticed some of the symptoms listed above, you may be suffering from the injury that caused a brain tumor, regardless of whether it is benign or malignant. Therefore, you should go to your doctor so that he can diagnose you.
To make the diagnosis, encephalograms, MRIs, blood tests, X-rays, ultrasound, etc. are performed. In short, a set of medical tests to verify the existence of the tumor and the type of tumor we are dealing with.
Once the brain tumor has been diagnosed, various types of treatment can be carried out , from the use of drugs, to the removal of tumor cell tissue, chemotherapy or radiotherapy in the case of being malignant, radiosurgery, etc.
The time factor is important in these cases and being able to diagnose the existence of a brain tumor in a primary state will facilitate its subsequent treatment. Therefore, we recommend that you go quickly to your doctor if you think you may be suffering from it.
We hope that this article by FastlyHealon the initial symptoms and signs of brain tumor will provide you with optimal information to react to these situations.
This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to Brain Tumor: Initial Symptoms and Signs , we recommend that you enter our Brain and Nerves category .
I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.