JAKARTA – Brain cancer is a complex disease that is difficult to cure. If you don’t get treatment immediately, this disease can cause death
Quoted from Liputan6.com, brain cancer is a medical condition where abnormal, malignant cells grow in the brain. These malignant cells grow and develop rapidly, attack surrounding tissue and can spread to other parts of the brain, as well as other central nervous systems, such as the spinal cord.
Data from the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia reveals that brain cancer is prone to occur in children and adults aged 20-40 years.
Common characteristics of brain cancer are continuous headaches accompanied by nausea and vomiting.
Brain cancer is different from other types of cancer because it tends not to spread to organs outside the central nervous system. Even so, the characteristics of brain cancer are symptoms that need to be watched out for.
The following is a review of the characteristics of brain cancer, causes, risk factors and treatment, summarized by Liputan6.com from various sources, Thursday (12/10/2023).
Brain Cancer Symptoms
Symptoms or characteristics of brain cancer can be an indicator to detect the presence of this disease in the body. If you feel you are experiencing these symptoms, you should immediately consult a doctor. The following are the characteristics of brain cancer.
1. Headache
The most common symptom is headache, however, this is not a common headache like migraine. The head may hurt at some point due to tumor growth. MRI examination is often needed to detect the cause of severe headaches.
2. Seizures
Brain cancer sufferers can experience seizures, which are often accompanied by loss of consciousness, loss of body control, loss of smell, blurred vision, and repetitive movements.
3. Nausea and Vomiting
Nausea and vomiting can be caused by increased pressure in the head cavity due to the tumor.
4. Vision Disorders
If the tumor is located near the organs of vision, it can interfere with visual function and cause symptoms such as blurred vision, color blindness, or even partial or total blindness.
5. Damage to the Nervous System and Spinal Cord
Brain cancer can damage the nervous system and spinal cord, causing symptoms such as uncontrolled movements, tingling in the limbs, sensory loss in the face, and impaired control of the urinary tract and bowel movements.
6. Confusion
Patients with brain cancer often experience confusion, even regarding their own identity. Medication and therapy by a specialist doctor can help manage these symptoms.
7. Forgetting Memories
Brain cancer can cause difficulty remembering, even to the point of hallucinations and difficulty responding. Surgery may be needed to prevent tumor development.
8. Sleep Disorders
Increased pressure in the head cavity can disrupt sleep cycles, causing cognitive impairment and fatigue. Patients may experience changes in sleep patterns, such as waking up early, late, or feeling unrefreshed after waking up.
9. Gangguan Lisan
Dysphasia, namely impaired understanding of language and speech, is often experienced by brain cancer sufferers. This is caused by the influence of a brain tumor which interferes with the ability to speak and understand language.
10. Hearing Impairment
Brain cancer can also damage the vestibulocochlear nervous system which controls balance and hearing. Possible symptoms include ringing in the voice, loss of balance, vertigo, and weakness of facial muscles.
Causes and Risk Factors
Scientists Can Replace Old Brain Cells with New (Brain Illustrations/Pexels/Anna Shvets)
Until now, the causes of brain cancer are not fully known. However, researchers have identified changes in the DNA of normal brain cells that cause them to turn into tumor cells. These changes are thought to be a major factor in the development of brain cancer.
Brain cancer can be divided into two types, namely primary and secondary brain cancer. Primary brain cancer is believed to originate from abnormal cells that grow in the brain itself. In this case, the growth of malignant cells begins in the brain and can spread to various parts of the brain.
In primary brain cancer, these genetic changes can occur in any brain cells, such as glial cells and other cells in the brain. Primary brain cancer can appear in various forms, such as glioma, meningioma, or glioblastoma.
Secondary brain cancer, also known as brain metastasis, is a condition in which cancer cells spread from another part of the body, such as the breast, lungs, or kidneys, to the brain. These cancer cells reach the brain through the bloodstream or lymphatic system. Secondary brain cancer is more common than primary brain cancer. The exact cause for the development of this condition is not fully understood, and may be influenced by heredity or other unknown factors.
Although the exact cause of brain cancer is still a mystery, there are several risk factors identified that can increase a person’s risk of developing brain cancer, such as the following.
Previous Exposure to Radiation: Exposure to ionizing radiation, such as radiotherapy used in other cancer treatments, can increase the risk of brain cancer. Exposure to radiation from certain environments or jobs may also be a risk factor.
Increasing Age: Brain cancer is more common in older people. Age is a risk factor, and this risk increases with age.
Chemical Exposure: Long-term exposure to certain toxic chemicals, such as pesticides, organic solvents, or industrial chemicals, has been associated with an increased risk of brain cancer.
Weakened Immune System: Individuals with a weakened immune system, such as those who have had an organ transplant and must take immune system-suppressing medications, have a higher risk of developing brain cancer.
Genetic Disorders: Some genetic disorders can increase the risk of brain cancer. For example, families with a history of brain cancer may have genetic factors that increase the risk in other family members.
These risk factors only increase the chance of developing brain cancer, and not everyone with these factors will develop the disease. Brain cancer is a complex disease, and research continues to better understand the causes and factors that influence brain cancer risk.
Brain Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment
The brain cancer diagnosis process involves several steps and tests to confirm the presence of the disease. The diagnostic procedure also aims to determine the type, location and severity of the cancer. The following are the steps and tests used in the process of diagnosing brain cancer.
1. History
The doctor will collect information through interviews with the patient regarding the symptoms experienced, medical history and risk factors. This is the first step in gaining an understanding of the patient’s condition.
2. Physical Examination
The doctor will perform a physical examination to look for physical signs that could indicate brain cancer, such as neurological disorders or other signs.
3. Image Inspection
CT Scan (Computed Tomography): This is an examination that uses X-rays and a computer to create a detailed image of the patient’s brain. A CT scan can help identify the tumor and determine its size.
MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging): MRI harnesses the power of magnets and computers to produce more detailed images of the brain. This is an important tool in diagnosing brain cancer.
PET Scan (Positron Emission Tomography): In this examination, a radioactive solution is injected into the patient to detect the presence of cancer cells or areas of high metabolism.
4. Biops
A biopsy is a procedure in which a sample of tumor tissue is taken from a patient’s brain and tested in a laboratory. This helps in determining the type and level of malignancy of brain cancer.
After a brain cancer diagnosis, various treatment options may be recommended, depending on the type, location and severity of the cancer. Here are several methods of treating brain cancer.
Surgery: Surgery aims to remove malignant tumors from the brain. In some cases, doctors may be able to remove the entire tumor, while in other cases, only part of the tumor may be removed to maintain healthy brain function.
Radiotherapy: Radiation therapy involves using radiation beams to relieve symptoms of brain cancer or kill remaining cancer cells after surgery. This can help control tumor growth.
Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy involves the use of drugs administered into the body through an IV or tablet to kill cancer cells. It is often used after surgery or as an additional treatment.
Palliative Care: Palliative care aims to improve the patient’s quality of life by reducing symptoms and pain. It also includes attention to the psychological aspects of the patient and family. This treatment is often given if the patient does not meet the criteria for curative treatment or when other treatment is not possible.***
2023-10-12 11:01:00
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