Brain Tumor

• Nausea
• Vision changes
• Trouble thinking and memory issues
• Seizures
• Slurred speech
• Trouble hearing
• Feeling off balance
• Personality disturbances
• Trouble walking Headaches that are chronic and not relieved by medication
• Weakness in the extremities

The presence of any of these symptoms does not necessarily indicate a brain tumor and should be evaluated by a doctor for a diagnosis.

There are two major causes of brain tumors according to their type:

Primary. This type of tumor begins in the brain tissue itself, when brain cells become abnormal and replicate themselves, overgrowing the healthy brain cells and forming into a mass. Primary tumors can be either cancerous or benign.

Secondary. Secondary brain tumors form when cancer spreads from somewhere else in the body to the brain. These are one of the most common types of brain tumors and are always cancerous. Some common cancers that have a tendency to spread to the brain include skin cancer (melanoma), colon cancer, lung cancer, breast cancer and kidney cancer.

• Caucasian race
• Age under 8 years old and over 70
• Family history
• History of radiation exposure
• Formaldehyde exposure
• Vinyl chloride exposure
• Acrylonitrile exposure
• Genetic disorder (e.g., Klinefelter syndrome; Turcot syndrome; neurofibromatosis)
• AIDS
• History of Epstein-Barr virus
• Organ transplant recipients

There are a wide range of tests for brain tumors which help the doctor understand if the tumor is a primary or a secondary tumor, and if a primary tumor is cancerous or benign. These tests include:

Neurological evaluation. You may have your vision, hearing, strength, reflexes, and balance checked.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). An MRI uses a large magnet to scan and take pictures of the brain tissue. Sometime, a dye is injected to see abnormalities better.

PET scan. A PET scan is done with a radioactive tracer that can help give a good 3-D picture of your organs. The tracer is given through an injection directly into a vein.

CT scan. A full body CT scan may be done to look at other parts of your body for cancer that might have spread to the brain.

Biopsy. A neurosurgeon may have to make a small hole in the skull and insert a needle to remove a small amount of tissue for examination.

Treatment for brain tumor depends on several factors such as the location, size, and type of tumor and the health and age of the patient. Treatment usually involves surgery, but chemotherapy and radiation therapy are other treatment methods. Treatment following surgery depends on the type of tumor:

Benign. There is no chemotherapy, but even in the case of a benign tumor, a course of radiation may be prescribed. After surgery, you may be put on steroids to help reduce swelling in the brain.

Cancerous. Chemotherapy and/or radiation may be required. Other options include immunotherapy and brachytherapy (internal radiation therapy).

Inoperable tumors. Once in a while, a tumor cannot be surgically removed due to its location. The doctor may prescribe a course of radiation, or chemotherapy and radiation combined.

After brain surgery, you may need additional therapies and medications including:

• Steroids (relieved swelling)
• Anticonvulsants (prevents seizures)
• Bevacizumab (a drug that blocks the growth of blood vessels that feeds tumors)
• Physical therapy
• Occupational therapy
• Speech therapy

Brain tumors can only be treated by trained medical professionals and surgeons for treatment. Complementary and alternative therapies can help relieve side-effects of medications and aid your recovery from surgery. Inform your healthcare provider about any alternative therapy you are considering, including supplements and herbal remedies. The following supplements therapies may help improve your health, quality of life, and reduce stress:

• Probiotic supplements
• Omega-3 fatty acids
• Melatonin
• Meditation
• Relaxation techniques
• Hypnosis
• Yoga
• Tai chi
• Guided imagery
• Essential oil diffuser (lavender, chamomile, bergamot)
• Acupuncture

If you have been diagnosed with a brain tumor, take steps to manage the symptoms while you await surgery.

Driving. Avoid driving or operating heavy machinery if you are having seizures.

Balance. Use caution if your balance is off. Use a walker or cane if necessary. Avoid stairs and use an elevator whenever possible.

Memory. If your memory and thoughts are affected, write things down. Keep a calendar, journal, or notebook.

Personality changes. If your personality is affected, let people know that this is a symptom of your condition.

Diet. Eliminate suspected food allergens (i.e., dairy, gluten, corn, soy, etc.). Use healthy cooking oils and eat lean meats like cold-water fish. Eliminate trans-fatty acids, especially in fried foods.

Alcohol, caffeine, and tobacco. Do not smoke tobacco. Limit alcohol and caffeine consumption.

Exercise regularly. Talk to your doctor about any new form of exercise you are considering.

If you have been diagnosed with a brain tumor, take steps to manage the symptoms while you await surgery.

• Avoid driving or operating heavy machinery if you are having seizures.
• Use caution if your balance is off. Use a walker or cane if necessary. Avoid stairs and use an elevator whenever possible.
• If your memory and thoughts are affected, write things down. Keep a calendar, journal, or a notebook.
• If your personality is affected, let people know that this is a symptom of your condition.

The National Cancer Institute supports multiple clinical trials that research ways to detect and treat cancer. If you are interested in gaining more information about these clinical trials then follow this link here.

American Brain Tumor Association. (2018). Brain tumors: A handbook for the newly diagnosed. Retrieved from the American Brain Tumor Association: https://www.abta.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/newly-diagnosed.pdf

Cancer.Net Editorial Board. (2020, January). Brain tumor: Statistics. Retrieved from Cancer.Net: https://www.cancer.net/cancer-types/brain-tumor/statistics

Perkins, A. & Liu, G. (2016, February 01). Primary brain tumors in adults: Diagnosis and treatment. American Family Physician, 93(3), 212-218. Retrieved from American Academy of Family Physicians: https://www.aafp.org/afp/2016/0201/afp20160201p211.pdf

Schwartz, T. (2016, December 22). 7 Warning signs of a brain tumor you should know. Retrieved from Weill Cornell Medicine: https://meyercancer.weill.cornell.edu/news/2016-12-22/7-warning-signs-brain-tumor-you-should-know

St. Luke’s Hospital Writing Staff. (2021). Complementary and alternative medicine: Brain cancer. Retrieved from St. Luke’s Hospital: https://www.stlukes-stl.com/health-content/medicine/33/000024.htm