Brain tumor mcb. Volumetric brain formation: causes, symptoms, treatment, recovery period, doctor's advice and consequences. Contraindications in the presence of a tumor

brain tumors— a heterogeneous group of neoplasms for which common feature is finding or secondary penetration into the cranial cavity. Histogenesis is variable and is reflected in the WHO histological classification (see below). There are 9 main types of CNS tumors. A: neuroepithelial tumors. B: meningeal tumors. C: Tumors from cranial and spinal nerves. D: tumors of the hematopoietic series. E: germ cell tumors. F: cysts and tumor-like formations. G: Tumors of the sella turcica. H: local spread of tumors from adjacent anatomical regions. I: Metastatic tumors.

Code by international classification ICD-10 diseases:

Epidemiology. Given the heterogeneity of the concept of "brain tumor", accurate generalized statistical data are not available. It is known that CNS tumors in children take the second place among all malignant neoplasms (after leukemia) and the first in the group of solid tumors.

Classification. The main working classification used to develop treatment tactics and determine prognosis is the WHO Classification for CNS Tumors. Tumors of neuroepithelial tissue.. Astrocytic tumors: astrocytoma (fibrillar, protoplasmic, gemistocytic [mast cell], or large cell), anaplastic (malignant) astrocytoma, glioblastoma (giant cell glioblastoma and gliosarcoma), pilocytic astrocytoma, pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma, subependymal giant cell astrocytoma tumors (oligodendroglioma, anaplastic [malignant] oligodendroglioma) .. Ependymal tumors: ependymoma (cellular, papillary, clear cell), anaplastic (malignant) ependymoma, mixopapillary ependymoma, subependymoma .. Mixed gliomas: oligoastrocytoma, anaplastic (malignant) oligoastrocytoma, etc. . Choroid plexus tumors: papilloma and choroid plexus cancer Neuroepithelial tumors of unknown origin: astroblastoma, polar spongioblastoma, cerebral gliomatosis Neuronal and mixed neuronal glial tumors: gangliocytoma, dysplastic ha cerebellar angliocytoma (Duclos Lhermitte), desmoplastic ganglioglioma in children (infantile), dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumor, ganglioglioma, anaplastic (malignant) ganglioglioma, central neurocytoma, terminal filament paraganglioma, olfactory neuroblastoma (esthesioneuroblastoma), variant: olfactory neuroepithelioma. pineal gland: pineocytoma, pineoblastoma, mixed/transitional tumors of the pineal gland. Embryonic tumors: medulloepithelioma, neuroblastoma (option: ganglioneuroblastoma), ependymoblastoma, primitive neuroectodermal tumors (medulloblastoma [options: desmoplastic medulloblastoma], medullomyoblastoma, melanin-containing medulloblastoma). Tumors of the cranial and spinal nerves.. Schwannoma (neurilemoma, neurinoma); variants: cellular, plexiform, melanin-containing. malignant schwannoma»); options: epithelioid, malignant tumor peripheral nerve trunk with divergence of mesenchymal and / or epithelial differentiation, melanin-containing. Tumors of the meninges.. Tumors from meningothelial cells: meningioma (meningothelial, fibrous [fibroblastic], transitional [mixed], psammomatous, angiomatous, microcystic, secretory, clear cell, chordoid, rich in lymphoplasmacytic cells, metaplastic), atypical meningioma, papillary meningioma, anaplastic (malignant) meningioma .. Mesenchymal non-meningothelial tumors: benign (osteochondral tumors, lipoma, fibrous histiocytoma, etc.) and malignant (hemangiopericytoma, chondrosarcoma [option: mesenchymal chondrosarcoma] malignant fibrous histiocytoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, meningeal sarcomatosis, etc.). : diffuse melanosis, melanocytoma, malignant melanoma (option: meningeal melanomatosis) .. Tumors of unclear histogenesis: hemangioblastoma (capillary hemangioblastoma) . Lymphomas and tumors of the hematopoietic tissue.. Malignant lymphomas.. Plasmacytoma.. Granulocellular sarcoma.. Others. Germ cell tumors(germinogenic) .. Germinoma .. Embryonic cancer .. Yolk sac tumor (endodermal sinus tumor) .. Choriocarcinoma .. Teratoma: immature, mature, malignant teratoma .. Mixed germ cell tumors. Cysts and tumor-like lesions.. Rathke's pouch cyst.. Epidermoid cyst.. Dermoid cyst.. Colloidal cyst of the III ventricle.. Enterogenic cyst.. Neuroglial cyst.. Granular cell tumor (choristoma, pituicytoma).. Neuronal hamartoma of the hypothalamus.. Nasal heterotopia glia.. Plasma cell granuloma. Tumors of the Turkish saddle area .. Pituitary adenoma .. Pituitary cancer .. Craniopharyngioma: adamantine-like, papillary. Tumors growing into the cranial cavity .. Paraganglioma (chemodectoma) .. Chordoma .. Chondroma .. Chondrosarcoma .. Cancer. metastatic tumors. Unclassified tumors

Symptoms (signs)

clinical picture. The most common symptoms of brain tumors are progressive neurological deficit (68%), headaches (50%), epileptic seizures (26%). The clinical picture mainly depends on the localization of the tumor and, to a lesser extent, on its histological characteristics. Supratentorial hemispheric tumors .. Signs of increased ICP due to mass effect and edema (headaches, congestive optic discs, impaired consciousness) .. Epileptiform seizures .. Focal neurological deficit (depending on location) .. Personality changes (most characteristic frontal lobe tumors). Supratentorial midline tumors.. Hydrocephalic syndrome (headache, nausea/vomiting, impaired consciousness, Parino syndrome, congestive optic discs) .. Diencephalic disorders (obesity/wasting, thermoregulatory disorders, diabetes insipidus) .. Visual and endocrine disorders in tumors of the chiasmal-sellar region. Subtentorial tumors.. Hydrocephalic syndrome (headache, nausea/vomiting, impaired consciousness, congestive optic discs).. Cerebellar disturbances.. Diplopia, gross nystagmus, dizziness.. Isolated vomiting as a sign of impact on the medulla oblongata. Tumors of the base of the skull .. Often they are asymptomatic for a long time and only for late stages cause neuropathy of the cranial nerves, conduction disorders (hemiparesis, hemihypesthesia) and hydrocephalus.

Diagnostics

Diagnostics. With the help of CT and / or MRI at the preoperative stage, it is possible to confirm the diagnosis of a brain tumor, its exact location and extent, as well as the presumptive histological structure. For tumors of the posterior cranial fossa and the base of the skull, MRI is more preferable due to the absence of artifacts from the bones of the base (the so-called beam - hardering artifacts). Angiography (both direct and MR - and CT - angiography) is performed in rare cases to clarify the features of the blood supply to the tumor.

Treatment

Treatment. Therapeutic tactics depends on the exact histological diagnosis, the following options are possible:. observation. surgical resection. resection in combination with radiation and/or chemotherapy. biopsy (usually stereotaxic) in combination with radiation and / or chemotherapy. biopsy and observation. radiation and / or chemotherapy without tissue verification based on the results of CT / MRI and the study of tumor markers.

Forecast depends mainly on the histological structure of the tumor. Without exception, all patients operated on for brain tumors need regular MRI / CT follow-up studies due to the risk of recurrence or continued tumor growth (even in cases of radically removed benign tumors).

ICD-10. C71 malignant neoplasm brain. D33 Benign neoplasm of the brain and other parts of the central nervous system

An earlier manifestation of the cerebral tumor process is focal symptoms. It can have the following mechanisms of development: chemical and physical effects on the surrounding cerebral tissues, damage to the wall of a cerebral vessel with hemorrhage, vascular occlusion by a metastatic embolus, hemorrhage into a metastasis, compression of the vessel with the development of ischemia, compression of the roots or cranial nerve trunks. Moreover, at first there are symptoms of local irritation of a certain cerebral area, and then there is a loss of its function (neurological deficit).
As tumor growth, compression, edema and ischemia spread first to the tissues adjacent to the affected area, and then to more distant structures, causing the appearance of symptoms "nearby" and "at a distance", respectively. Cerebral symptoms due to intracranial hypertension and cerebral edema, develops later. With a significant amount of cerebral tumor, a mass effect is possible (shift of the main brain structures) with the development of dislocation syndrome - herniation of the cerebellum and medulla oblongata into the foramen magnum.
Headache local character can be early symptom tumors. It arises as a result of irritation of receptors localized in the cranial nerves, venous sinuses, and the walls of the meningeal vessels. Diffuse cephalgia is noted in 90% of cases of subtentorial neoplasms and in 77% of cases of supratentorial tumor processes. It has the character of deep, rather intense and bursting pain, often paroxysmal.
Vomiting is usually a cerebral symptom. Its main feature is the lack of connection with food intake. With a tumor of the cerebellum or IV ventricle, it is associated with a direct effect on the vomiting center and may be the primary focal manifestation.
Systemic dizziness can occur in the form of a sensation of falling, rotation own body or surrounding objects. During the manifestation clinical manifestations dizziness is considered as a focal symptom indicating tumor involvement of the vestibulocochlear nerve, pons, cerebellum, or IV ventricle.
Movement disorders (pyramidal disorders) occur as primary tumor symptoms in 62% of patients. In other cases, they occur later due to the growth and spread of the tumor. Increasing anisoreflexia of tendon reflexes from the limbs is one of the earliest manifestations of pyramidal insufficiency. Then there is muscle weakness (paresis), accompanied by spasticity due to muscle hypertonicity.
Sensory disturbances mainly accompany pyramidal insufficiency. They are clinically manifested in about a quarter of patients, in other cases they are detected only during a neurological examination. As a primary focal symptom, a disorder of the musculo-articular feeling can be considered.
convulsive syndrome more characteristic of supratentorial neoplasms. In 37% of patients with cerebral tumors, epileptic seizures are manifest clinical symptom. The occurrence of absence seizures or generalized tonic-clonic epileptic seizures is more typical for midline tumors; paroxysms of the type of Jacksonian epilepsy - for neoplasms located near the cerebral cortex. The nature of the epileptic aura often helps to establish the topic of the lesion. As the neoplasm grows, generalized epileptic seizures are transformed into partial ones. With the progression of intracranial hypertension, as a rule, a decrease in epiactivity is observed.
Disorders of the mental sphere during the manifestation period occur in 15-20% of cases of cerebral tumors, mainly when they are located in the frontal lobe. Lack of initiative, carelessness and apathy are typical for tumors of the pole of the frontal lobe. Euphoria, self-satisfaction, unreasonable gaiety indicate the defeat of the basis of the frontal lobe. In such cases, the progression of the tumor process is accompanied by an increase in aggressiveness, malice, and negativism. Visual hallucinations are characteristic of neoplasms located at the junction of the temporal and frontal lobes. Mental disorders in the form of a progressive deterioration of memory, impaired thinking and attention, they act as general cerebral symptoms, since they are caused by growing intracranial hypertension, tumor intoxication, and damage to associative tracts.
Congestive optic discs are diagnosed in half of patients more often in later stages, but in children they can serve as the debut symptom of a tumor. Due to increased intracranial pressure, transient blurred vision or "flies" before the eyes may appear. With the progression of the tumor, there is an increasing deterioration in vision associated with atrophy of the optic nerves.
Changes in visual fields occur when the chiasm and optic tracts are affected. In the first case, heteronymous hemianopsia is observed (loss of opposite halves of the visual fields), in the second - homonymous (loss of both right or both left halves in the visual fields).

In the article, we will consider what a volumetric formation of the brain is.

Oncological diseases are diagnosed annually in tens of thousands of people. These pathologies are characterized by the rapid growth of atypical tissues, as a result of which the functionality of the organ in which the neoplasm is located is disrupted. In addition, the body has general intoxication, provoked by products formed during the life of the tumor.

Similar lesions can develop in the head, and they can form from various cells. Oncological pathologies are diagnosed both in adult patients and in children, and the mechanisms of neoplasm development may differ. Brain masses are not a common type of tumor, but they are the most dangerous. With the degeneration of nerve tissues, severe multiple organ disorders occur, and the treatment of the disease is difficult due to the specific location.

An important criterion in evaluating the prognosis is the degree of malignancy of the volumetric formation of the brain, determined by the difference between the tumor cells and the original cells of the organ. The closer their structure is to the natural, the better the prognosis will be for the patient. Most effective method The fight against neoplasms is surgery, but this approach is not always possible. Most often, experts recommend a comprehensive fight against the problem, which involves the impact on cancer cells in various ways.

By definition, tumors are voluminous formations of the brain that have a mixed nature.

Causes of brain tumors

modern medicine the exact causes of the development of volumetric formations of the brain are unknown. Experts suggest that such changes occur under the influence of a combination of factors. Patients childhood at the same time, genetic factors for the occurrence of neoplasms prevail. They are associated with the mutation of certain parts of the chromosomes that control growth and cell division. Such changes most often provoke the formation of a tumor in newborns, young children. In adult patients, cancers can also be genetic. Scientists identify a number of factors that can provoke a failure of the cell cycle and the development of a volumetric formation of the brain (ICD code D33):

Ultraviolet, infrared radiation can change the structure of DNA, as a result of which the likelihood of the formation of neoplasms, including melanoma, increases.
Some viruses have the ability to potentiate uncontrolled cell growth, which then degenerates into oncology. Such viruses include, for example, papillomavirus, which causes the appearance of warts.
Eating foods that contain GMOs. They are capable of exerting a teratogenic effect - causing oncological diseases and the formation of deformities.

Classification of tumors in the brain

The prognosis for recovery in case of volumetric formation of the brain (according to ICD-10 D33) depends on the stage pathological process, as well as the individual characteristics of the patient's body and the histology of the tumor formation. Cerebral lesions are divided into two large groups: gliomas, the formation of which occurs directly from nervous tissue; nongliomas formed from the meninges, lymphoid elements. Secondary formations are also isolated, which are the result of metastasis of the primary focus along the lymphatic tract and blood vessels. As a rule, a similar process is found in organs where there is an active blood flow - the spleen, lungs, liver.

Gliomas

The group of gliomas is represented various pathologies, they are the most common volumetric formations of the corpus callosum of the brain. They are diagnosed in 80% of cases. Gliomas are distinguished by the level of malignancy, in connection with which the prognosis and clinical picture may vary. The most common type of glioma is glioblastoma. There are also:

Oligodendrogliomas. This pathology is very rare, a neoplasm is formed in this case from protective elements that also support the process of hemostasis in the brain. The peculiarity of such volumetric formations of the brain stem is that they are most often formed in middle-aged patients. These neoplasms are moderately malignant.
Astrocytomas. This neoplasm is diagnosed in 3/5 cases of brain cancer. Astrocytomas are formed from cells that separate neurons from blood vessels. These cells (astrocytes) are involved in the nutrition and natural development of the nervous tissue. Astrocytomas are differentiated according to the degree of malignancy.
Ependymomas. They are formations formed by cells of the inner layer of the cerebral ventricles. These cells are involved in the process of CSF production, and therefore the symptoms of ependymoma are associated with a violation of this particular function. Ependymomas are classified into malignant and highly differentiated.
Mixed gliomas. This type of tumor is formed from several types of tissue that are normally present in the brain.

Volumetric education in the parietal lobe of the brain can be detected suddenly. Neurological symptoms in the localization of the tumor in this area are manifested in violations of the sensitivity of the body on the side opposite to the lesion. Disorientation in parts of one's own body, optical-aphasic disorders are noted.

Ocular pathology occurs only with large tumor volumes and manifests itself in less than half of the patients. characteristic feature is the occurrence of partial lower quadrant homonymous hemianopia as a result of damage to the upper part of the Graziola bundle, the nerve fibers of which pass in this lobe. Subsequently, when the process spreads to the occipital lobe, a complete homonymous hemianopsia develops.

Negliomas

Such tumors are represented by three types, some of which are benign, and some are associated with a poor prognosis and often lead to a patient's death. Doctors distinguish:

Meningiomas. These tumors form the lining of the brain. Specialists differentiate them according to the degree of malignancy, in addition, they may be accompanied by clinical manifestations of varying intensity.
pituitary adenomas. They represent a specific problem, which is always accompanied by changes in the endocrine functions of the organ. This pathology affects more often women. In most cases, it is a benign formation, therapy lends itself well.
CNS lymphomas. This type of neoplasm is characterized by a severe course. Tumors are made up of regenerated cells lymphatic system. The prognosis and treatment regimen depends on the type of tissues involved in the process.

What are the signs of a brain mass?

Characteristic symptoms

The manifestations of tumor formations in the brain depend on many factors. Of no small importance is the localization of the neoplasm, since the nervous structures are divided into zones of functionality. The symptomatology of the tumor can also vary from the stage of the pathology.

Early manifestations the following:

The development of migraines accompanying almost every disease of the central nervous system. Most often they occur as a result of swelling. Migraine can disturb the patient even if the formation in the brain is small. The maximum intensity of pain is observed at night, in the morning. Considering only given symptom the tumor cannot be identified.
Emergence of vomiting often accompanying migraines. Moreover, they have no relationship with the presence of food in the gastrointestinal tract.
Cognitive impairment, for example, memory disorder, impaired ability to concentrate. The cause of such disorders can only be determined through a thorough examination.

If there is no therapy for the above signs, and the neoplasm in the brain is malignant, the symptoms worsen:

Depression, drowsiness, depression develops. As a rule, such manifestations are associated with severe pain and an increase in temperature.
Other symptoms depend on the location of the tumor. The patient may have impaired speech, impaired vision, impaired coordination of movements. Specified Clinical signs are important in the diagnosis of pathology, as they allow to determine the location of the tumor.
In complicated cases, there is the appearance of convulsions, accompanied by respiratory arrest. If timely assistance is not provided to the patient, there is a possibility of a fatal outcome.

How is a brain mass diagnosed?

Diagnostics

Diagnosis of pathology involves a thorough examination, including laboratory research blood, MRI. A study of the clinical manifestations of the disease by a neuropathologist and oncologist is also carried out.

Therapy of formations in the brain

Therapy of neoplasms involves an integrated approach, which is based on surgical intervention aimed at the complete elimination of the tumor. Unfortunately, the operation, due to the localization of the pathology, is not always possible. In such cases, the patient is prescribed chemotherapy, drug therapy and other methods of influencing the neoplasm, allowing to stop its growth and improve the patient's condition. Most often, it is impossible to completely cure the disease.

Surgical intervention

Surgical removal of the tumor can only be performed within healthy tissue. With this approach, a satisfactory effect is provided. In this regard, a neoplasm that has clearly defined boundaries can be called curable. Surgical intervention is carried out under the control of CT, MRI, which allows you to visualize the actions of the surgeon.

Radiotherapy

If there is no possibility of surgical excision of the tumor, the patient is recommended exposure to gamma radiation. Radiotherapy is also used to shrink a tumor before it is removed further.

Radiation therapy is also indicated in cases where surgery fails to completely remove the tumor or it is inoperable.

Chemotherapy

Cytostatics are rarely used, since not all substances can penetrate the BBB. The chemotherapeutic effect is used in cases of susceptibility of the formation to the injected substances.

In addition to these methods of treatment, targeted therapy can be used, involving the introduction of drugs that affect only tumor cells, cryosurgery.

Forecast, dangerous consequences

Neoplasms in the brain can provoke the development various violations in activity internal organs. There is a defeat of the nerve centers (as a result of which convulsions, paralysis develop), a change mental state patient. With the defeat of important structures and metastasis, the pathology ends in the death of the patient.

Particularly serious are the consequences of volumetric formation of the 3rd ventricle of the brain.

Tumors of the third ventricle are a relatively rare group of brain neoplasms. According to some authors, they range from 1.5% to 2-5%. The most common neoplasms of the third ventricle in children are subependymal giant cell and pilocytic astrocytomas, neurofibromas, germinomas, gliomas, craniopharyngiomas, papillomas, and pineal neoplasms. In adults, colloid cysts, metastases, lymphomas, meningiomas, gliomas, and pinealomas are the most common.

During the course of the illness, symptoms also fluctuate in intensity and are usually more pronounced in children.

Rehabilitation

The rehabilitation period after therapy for neoplasms in the brain is aimed at adapting a person, returning him to a normal life. AT rehabilitation period the use of special supportive medications, physiotherapy methods is shown. Also, the patient is recommended special exercises.

Recovery is carried out by a multidisciplinary team, which includes a surgeon, a chemotherapist, a radiologist, a psychologist, an exercise therapy doctor, a physiotherapist, an exercise therapy instructor, a speech therapist, nurses and junior medical staff. Only a multidisciplinary approach will provide a comprehensive quality rehabilitation process.

It is important to remember that the effectiveness of therapy and the prognosis in many cases depend on the nature of the formation and the stage of its development, and therefore it is necessary to consult a doctor at the slightest suspicion of a disease.

The frequency of brain tumors among all its pathologies reaches four to five percent. The concept of "brain tumor" is a collective one. It includes all malignant and benign neoplasms intra- and extracerebral origin. In ninety percent of cases, a brain tumor in children has an intracerebral localization. A neoplasm may be the result of a metastatic lesion or develop primarily in the brain tissues.

Information for doctors: according to ICD 10, a brain tumor is encrypted under different codes depending on the location of the neoplasm: C71, D33.0-D33.2.

Causes of neoplasm

A single cause of development oncological diseases has not yet been identified, although active searches are underway in this direction. So far, the multifactorial theory dominates. It says that several factors can simultaneously take part in the occurrence of a tumor. Most often it is:

genetic predisposition (if the next of kin had cancer).
belonging to the age category (more often over forty-five years old, with the exception of medulloblastoma).
exposure to harmful production factors, especially chemicals.
exposure to radiation.
race (oncological diseases are more common in people belonging to the Caucasian race, the exception here is meningioma, which is characteristic of Negroids).

Symptoms of presence

If a brain tumor has appeared, its symptoms will be associated primarily with the localization of the formation and its size.

The size of the neoplasm will determine how much the volume of the medulla will increase, and, consequently, the intensity of its pressure on the surrounding tissues. In turn, the pressure will give rise to cerebral symptoms, which include:

cephalic syndrome. It feels like fullness, a feeling of heaviness in the head. The appearance of a headache is associated with a change in the position of the body in space when the head is tilted down, in the morning, after sleep. Accompanied by nausea, vomiting - as the size of the tumor increases. It is poorly stopped by non-narcotic analgesics, since the mechanism of its occurrence lies in the increase intracranial pressure.
Dizziness. Its cause is the deterioration of the blood supply to the brain. For a brain tumor, the so-called "systemic" dizziness is characteristic, when it seems to the patient that the surrounding objects are rotating or he himself is in a certain direction. This symptom also includes a feeling of faintness, severe weakness. It may suddenly darken in the eyes. Usually dizziness is manifested by episodes.
Vomit. Usually appears unexpectedly, often in the morning. May occur at the peak of a headache. Sometimes vomiting develops due to a change in the position of the head. In severe cases, the patient may refuse to eat due to the high activity of the vomiting center.

Focal symptoms

When a brain tumor begins to enlarge and grow, its symptoms are caused not only by compression of the surrounding tissues, but also by their destruction. This is the so-called focal symptomatology. Below, in the form of groups, some manifestations of a brain tumor will be given.

1. The first thing that a brain tumor can affect the work of the periphery is a violation of sensitivity. To varying degrees, susceptibility to external stimuli decreases - temperature, pain. A person may lose the ability to determine the location of individual parts of his body in space. When the tumor affects the motor bundles of nerve fibers, there is a decrease motor activity. In this case, a separate limb, half of the body, etc. can be affected.

2. If the tumor affects the cerebral cortex, then possible epileptic seizures. With the defeat of the part of the cortex responsible for the function of memory, disturbances of the latter develop from the inability to recognize one's relatives to the loss of writing and reading skills. The process of increasing the degree of violations is slow, as the size of the tumor increases. First, speech becomes slurred, then changes in handwriting occur, then their complete loss occurs.

3. If the tumor damages the part of the brain through which the optic nerve, visual dysfunction occurs, since the process of signal transmission from the retina to the cerebral cortex is disrupted, therefore, image analysis is impossible. If the formation sprouts the corresponding part of the cerebral cortex, the person does not perceive individual concepts, for example, does not recognize moving objects.

4. The brain contains the hypothalamus and pituitary gland, glands that regulate the level of dependent hormones in the body. Neoplasm in case of localization on this section can lead to hormonal disorders and the development of related syndromes.

5. Incapacitation by a tumor of the centers responsible for vascular tone leads to autonomic disorders. The patient feels weak fatigue, dizziness, fluctuating values blood pressure and pulse.

6. The affected cerebellum is responsible for impaired coordination, accuracy of movements. For example, the patient cannot reach the tip of the nose with the eyes closed with the index finger (finger-nose test).

Mental and cognitive impairment

The patient is not oriented in personality and space, changes in character develop, more often of a negative plan; the person becomes aggressive, irritable, inattentive. Intellectual functions, interaction with people may suffer. When the tumor is localized in the left hemisphere, intellectual abilities decrease, in the right hemisphere, creativity of thinking and imagery are lost. Sometimes there are auditory and visual hallucinations.

It should be said that the symptoms of a brain tumor in adults often depend on the working conditions, the age of the patient. Unfortunately, adults rarely pay attention to cerebral manifestations, while in children these symptoms are the primary reason for going to the doctor.

Signs and diagnosis of the disease

Usually, such patients turn to a therapist or a neurologist at the first symptoms of the disease, often with a severe headache, autonomic, movement disorders, impaired sensitivity, visual acuity. The doctor assesses the severity of the symptoms and decides on the hospitalization of the patient. If the patient's condition allows, the examination is carried out on an outpatient basis.

*MRI scan for a brain tumor (photo)

They begin with a consultation with a neurologist, if this has not been done before. The neurologist assesses sensitivity, the presence of motor disorders, checks the safety of tendon reflexes, conducts differential diagnosis with other neurological diseases. He also prescribes a computer or magnetic resonance imaging of the brain. Neuroimaging allows you to clarify the localization of the neoplasm, its characteristics. The main signs of a brain tumor on MRI are volumetric formation, displacement of vessels and their branches (with additional MR angiography).

The patient should also visit an ophthalmologist to examine the fundus. Changes in the vessels supplying the organ of vision can be informative in terms of assessing intracranial pressure. In case of impaired hearing, smell, the patient is also referred to an otorhinolaryngologist.

Diagnosis of the disease is difficult due to the location of the formation inside the cranium. The diagnosis of a neoplasm can be verified only after a histological conclusion. The material for the study is obtained as soon as the brain tumor is removed, or during a neurosurgical operation.

Treatment

Treatment of oncological diseases is always complex. If a small brain tumor is found, they often try to carry out treatment without surgical intervention. If the diagnosis suggests that there is a significant brain tumor, the operation is often urgent.

Therapy aimed at reducing the intensity of symptoms includes the use of glucocorticoids, antiemetics, sedatives, narcotic and non-narcotic analgesics.

Removal of a brain tumor by surgery is very difficult. However, this is the main and most often the most effective method. With a large neoplasm or its localization in vital centers, surgical intervention is impossible. In such cases, radiation therapy is used.

Chemotherapy is possible after histological examination tumors. A biopsy is necessary for the correct selection of the required dose and type of drug. Cryodestruction has gained its importance in the removal of brain tumors, or rather, their freezing. Diseased cells die under the influence low temperatures while healthy tissues are not affected in any way. Cryodestruction is used for tumors that cannot be removed surgically. All methods can be combined with each other. It is this combined approach that is most often used in medical practice.

life forecast

Life expectancy for a brain tumor can vary greatly depending on the location, degree of malignancy of the neoplasm. So, with a benign education with the condition of timely detection and treatment, a person can live full life. However, with a malignant lesion and late detection of a tumor, life expectancy often reaches 1-2 years or even less.