What Is Brain Cancer
By: Ryan Bashaar Pd. 9
What happens to the cells?
Normal cells get mutations in their DNA which allow cells to grow and divide at a faster rate and keep living while healthy cells die.
Symptoms
muscle weakness
problems with coordination
weakness of one side of the body
balance disorder
Dizziness
Nausea
Vomiting
Blurred Vision
Seizures
On the body: pins and needles, reduced sensation of touch, and
inability to speak
Causes
HEALTH-RELATED
HIV infection
Smoking cigarettes/Cigarette smoke
ENVIRONMENTAL-RELATED
- Chemicals from oil refineries
- Embalming chemicals
- Rubber industry chemicals
What part of the body is generally affected?
The brain.
Treatments and Diagnosis
How is Brain Cancer treated?
There are many different options... (Mostly depending on what stage of the cancer)
- Chemotherapy: Kills cells that are growing or multiplying too quickly.
- Radiation: Uses x-rays and high-energy rays to kill abnormal cells.
- Craniotomy: A brain surgery when a piece of bone is removed from the skull.
- Specialists such as: Neurosurgeon, oncologist, neurologist, radiation oncologist
- Other medical drugs
How Is Brain Cancer Diagnosed
Tests taken: MRI's, X-rays, and neurological exams, Brain scans, Angiogram
Neurological Exams: Assessment of sensory neuron and motor responses, especially reflexes.
Angiogram: X-ray test that uses a dye and a camera to take pictures of the blood flow in an artery or vein in different parts of the body.
How Common Is Brain Cancer?
- 12 in every 100, 000 people each year get brain tumors.
- Malignant brain tumors are most common cause of cancer related deaths to young adults and adolescents aged 15-39.
- More common as your age increases, especially in individuals of 65 years or older.
- Brain cancer can be found in both men and women, it isn't more common in a certain gender.