A Family Doctor's Tale - BRAIN CANCER

DOC I HAVE BRAIN CANCER

Brain cancer can be very devastating to the cancer patients. I have one patient who was put on dexamethasone before and after surgery. She managed to live for 1 year before succumbing to the disease.

Brain Cancer develops when the brain cells undergo abnormal
changes to form cancer cells or from spread of cancer cells
from other organs.

Most Primary cancer of the brain begins as mutated primary
brain cells.

Secondary cancer of the brain is due to spread from the
lung, breast, kidneys etc

Secondary brain cancer is the most common cancer found in
the brain

The main risk factors for brain cancer are:
1.Radiation to the head

2.family history of brain cancer

3.Cigarette smoking consumption).

4.Chemicals exposures such as nitrites, solvents, hydrocarbons, vinyl chloride

During the early stages, most people with brain cancer do
not show any signs or symptoms.

Signs and symptoms, when they do appear, include:
1.Pain in the head

2.Weakness and fatigue 

3.Difficulty in walking 

4.Convulsions and fits

5.Changes in concentration and alertness
 
6.nausea and vomiting, worse in the morning
 
7.Blurring of vision
 
8.Difficulty with speech
 
9.Changes in emotions and personality
 
10.In late stages - stroke

Diagnosis is by :
1.full medical history of increased intracranial pressure
-nausea, blurred vision, headache, weakness, fits
 
2.CT Scan or MRI of the brain
 
3.brain biopsy of tumor via cranoitomy

With the diagnosis confirmed, the doctor will proceed with
further tests to find out how advanced the brain cancer is.

This will help the doctor to plan the treatment.

As in all cancers, treatment includes surgery, radiation
therapy, chemotherapy.

In small brain cancer without spread, surgical removal is
the best option.

Before surgery usually dexamethasone( a steroid)  is given
to reduce swelling in the brain.

Most surgery is done under general anesthesia . 
Some are done with light sedation in order to map the brain cells .

Gammaknife brain surgey is done using high energy radiation beams directed at the tumor after determing its location on MRI.

Chemotherapy is by the use of potent drugs like Temodar or
Avastin especially for primary cancer.

Treatment depends on the the stage of the cancer as well as
health of the affected person.

The goal of treatment is complete cure.
However, where this is not possible, treatment is aimed at
preventing the tumour from spreading or growing.

Helping to eliminate uncomfortable symptoms is also an
important aspect of brain cancer treatment.

Prevention from getting brain cancer is not possible in
primary cancers. 

Prevention is only possible with secondary brain tumors by early diagnosis and treatment of tumors which can spread to the brain.
Other methods:
1. Reduce radiation to the brain by less use of handphone
-not confirmed

2. Reduce smoking

3. Avoid contact with chemicals from the oil, rubber and
embalming industries.