I'm Dr. Alex Porter and
neuro oncologist at Mayo Clinic.
In this video, we'll cover
the basics of brain tumors.
What is a brain tumor? Who gets it?
The symptoms, diagnosis and treatment.
Whether you're looking for answers for
yourself or someone you love.
We're here to give you
the best information available.
First, let's talk about
what a brain tumor is.
Dna tells ourselves what to do.
Sometimes this DNA mutates and
tell cells to duplicate abnormally,
dividing rapidly and living
longer than healthy cells are supposed to.
These cells collect into a mass,
in this case, in various parts of the brain.
And since the brain is
the control center for
the rest of our bodies,
this can affect all kinds of other functions.
There are many kinds of
brain tumors are benign or non-cancerous.
In other words, it's an overgrowth of
cells that produces a mass.
But the cells themselves are normal.
Some are malignant or cancerous.
This means the mass is
composed of abnormal cells that will
continue to spread and invade other tissues.
Tumors that originate in the brain are
surrounding tissues are known
as primary brain tumors.
More often, the tumor is known
as a secondary or metastatic brain tumor.
The result of cancer from elsewhere
in the body that has spread to the brain.
We often just don't know
why primary brain tumors form.
Statistically in adults, age
increases your risk of
having a primary brain tumor.
And they are more common in women than men.
Exposure to some kinds of radiation,
including prior cancer treatment
can increase your risk.
And there are some rare inherited syndromes
that seem related to brain tumor development.
But they're not really predictable
nor preventable.
When it comes to secondary tumors,
we know that they spread from cancer
and other parts of the body.
And the cause of that original cancer,
depending on where it started,
could have resulted from
genetic or external factors.
It's not common, but sometimes a brain tumor
can be the first indication
of cancer elsewhere.
Usually the first sign of
a brain tumor is a headache,
generally in conjunction with other symptoms.
These may include seizures,
difficulty thinking or speaking,
changes in personality, anxiety,
depression, disorientation,
fatigue, abnormal eye movements,
numbness or tingling on one side of the body.
Weakness on one side of the body.
Loss of balance, vision changes, memory loss.
Nausea, generalized pain, trouble swallowing,
trouble walking, drooping on
one side of the face,
loss of appetite,
weight loss, and slurred speech.
That doesn't mean if you have a headache or
even a headache with these other symptoms
that you have a brain tumor.
But if you notice a headache
that awakens you from sleep,
that seems to be at its worst and the early
morning hours along with
dimming of your vision,
this could be a sign of
increased intracranial
pressure and you should make
an appointment with your Dr.
there are a variety of tests
and procedures or Dr. may
recommend determining
the cause of your symptoms.
First, you will most likely be
given a neurological examination.
This will evaluate your vision, hearing,
balance, coordination,
strength, sensation, and reflexes.
They may recommend imaging tests
such as an MRI or
a CAT scan or a PET scan
to get a clearer picture of the brain.
If a tumor is detected,
a surgical procedure may be done to
determine the nature of the mass or its type.
Although a brain tumor diagnosis can
be overwhelming and scary,
know that there are experts in
the field who will work with you to
figure out the best strategic course
for your individual situation.
So the most important thing you can
do is to find
a specialized treatment center that
feels like a good fit and
get a second opinion or even a third.
It's important to feel confident in
your care team and
their support as you
fight this battle together.
Treatment depends on a lot of
factors, the type, size,
and location of the tumor,
as well as your overall health
and personal preferences.
You and your care team will collaborate to
map a course for
the best quality of life ahead.
If the tumor is in a place where
removal is a viable option,
surgery may be recommended to
take out as much of the mass as possible,
even if the entire thing
can't be removed safely.
Eliminating a portion
can help alleviate symptoms.
Another possibility is radiation.
There are a few different forms of delivery,
but I'll use high-energy radiation
to target and destroy cancerous cells.
There's chemotherapy in which
powerful drugs that combat
cancer cells or taken
either orally or through an IV.
For certain kinds of cancer,
targeted drug therapy may also be an option.
These blocks specific abnormalities
within the cancer cells causing them to die.
You may qualify for clinical trials as well.
For experimental measures
that are showing promise.
Your doctors can help guide you and
recommend to you if this seems
like the best plan of action.
All of these treatments have side effects.
Some quite severe.
These can include issues
with memory and thinking,
motor skills, vision, and speech,
as well as other physical
or emotional symptoms.
Your doctors can recommend a course of
supportive and palliative care
to help you get through the treatment itself.
In addition,
physical therapy, speech therapy,
occupational therapy, and in children,
tutoring may be necessary.
When preparing for appointments,
make sure you are aware of
any pre appointment restrictions,
such as diet.
Write down your symptoms.
Even things that may seem unrelated.
Write down any recent life changes
are major stressors.
Make a list of your medications
and any other supplements.
Write down the questions you
have and bring a friend or
relative along with you
to help you remember what your Dr. say.
Well, each person's prognosis
and treatment can differ greatly.
Huge strides have been made in the field
overall and our understanding
continues to grow,
giving your expert medical team and
ever expanding set of tools to help
you navigate this difficult journey as you
maintain a manageable and
positive quality of life.
If you'd like to learn even
more about brain tumors,
watch our other related videos,
or visit Mayo clinic.org. We wish you well.