All About Brain Cancer

Scientists have been trying to find out why certain brain tumors react well to chemotherapy and others don’t, what do they find? Cancer stem cells of course, one of the super-cells of the human body that has already been responsible for some of the world’s most revolutionary treatments for our many diseases. They are capable of extreme re-generation and today with the data compiled by cancer researchers, they might be also responsible for the resistance to the effectivity of chemotherapy for certain forms of cancer. Cancer stem cells as they turn out are similar to regular cancer cells with one hideous twist, hey have the same super division capabilities of cancer cells. Read the rest of this entry »

The result of multi-disciplinary studies in NASA that has produced an electronic nose that is very reliable in monitoring air quality in the confined space of the space shuttle and the International Space Station where clean air is a must. The electronic nose has proven to be so successful that it is being studied for applications in health care, more distinctly the ability to sniff out cancer cells. These cells as they found, tends to differ in smell to regular healthy cells making the electronic appendage very useful for diagnosis greatly enhancing their ability to suggest the right treatment for the different types. Designed so sensitive, it is able to detect contaminants at a precise proportion fro one to ten thousand parts per million particles that it may have a nose for such use in cancer research. Read the rest of this entry »

Cancer researchers in Canada have identified the gene that is responsible for medulloblastoma which is considered to be the most common form of childhood brain cancer. They have successfully identified eight genes that have the ability to mutate bringing about brain cancer in younger people which can give them new avenues to pursue in childhood cancer treatment. The ability to properly target and prescribe the most effective treatment regimen is the aim and with these results, it has become more of a reality. The brains of children are still in the fast growing phase that if these genes mutated, would continue at an alarming rate that it turns into cancer. Read the rest of this entry »

Having a healthy brain is one way of preventing brain cancer. But how can we develop or maintain a healthy brain?
Exercising our body and being physically fit helps in developing brain function. Brain teasers, puzzles, riddles, trivia, games, and reading can stimulate our brain.
It is also important to interact with other people to keep our brains fit. Through communicating, our brains work by processing the information we share with other people.
Leading a healthy lifestyle by getting enough rest and sleep and maintaining a balanced diet is essential in keeping our brains healthy and working properly. Multivitamins and supplements also proves to be helpful in keeping a healthy brain and body. In contrast, smoking, drinking alcohol, and using drugs should be avoided.
Having a regular appointment with a doctor is equally important in order to keep track of our health.

This would surely get lawmakers on the uproar for scientific research has found that THC, or the active molecule of Cannabis Sativa (marijuana), the much debated drug to be effective at killing off brain tumor cancer cells. The study shows that in mice at least that have been infected with human brain cancer cells, the cells have been destroyed halting the progress of the disease. There have also been studies that the same component of marijuana has the ability to halt the progress of Alzheimer’s disease, preventing people form getting worse. Much is to be learned of such complex chemical chains that makes up THC for the banning of the plant and it’s seeds, classified as a dangerous drug makes this difficult.
There have been recent moves to legalize the drug as just another pill, but staunch opposition form traditional senators and congressmen see this as a threat to society. They are trying to follow the footsteps of some European countries that have actually legalized the selling and use of medical grade marijuana which is allowed for sufferers of chronic pain and terminal diseases.

Researchers are finding that there is a very likely link between cancer stem cells and their ability to incite other cells to grow malignant all over the body. Once hailed as the super-cell of the human body which got it into the spotlight for it’s rejuvenatory abilities, it has also been found that it can increase the occurrence of tumors in the brain. Their ability to turn into the several hundred or so types of cells in the human body has attracted the attention of researchers, who have found a sinister side to these wondrous super cells. One who has breast cancer or a form of the disease elsewhere may be more susceptible to developing brain tumors as seen in several studies. These findings are being used to develop better screening procedures for brain cancers allowing early detection with the best possible chances of recovery.

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Robert Muller is Germany’s premiere ice hockey goal tender in the Deutsche Eishockey Liga. Muller was recently diagnosed with an incurable, malignant type of brain cancer. Despite his dangerous condition, he continues to play his favorite sport. It is to note that Muller had an operation in 2006 which removed some parts of the tumor and went on to play in the arena while he was undergoing chemotherapy sessions. In an amazing feat, he played well in Germany’s behalf at the championship event in Canada. The tumor began to grow again last summer and he recently went on his second operation. He continues to play up to this day and is continuing to inspire people.

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There are different types of brain tumours but a specific type of brain tumour called an acoustic neuroma, sometimes referred to as a vestibular schwannoma or neurilemoma is a benign tumour that develops from the lining of the auditory nerve or the acoustic nerve which is responsible for balance and hearing. They are most likely to be found in middle aged adults. It is more common in women than in men for unknown reasons.
General signs of a brain tumour are headaches, tiredness, lack of energy and changes in personality are rarely seen in people with an acoustic neuroma. The common symptom of it is loss of hearing in the affected ear, accompanied by a buzzing or ringing noise. Usually people who have this type of brain tumour affect both sides of the brain.

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Cancers of the brain are abnormal growths of cells in the brain. Cancer is a term reserved for malignant tumors. Not all brain tumors cause symptoms, and some are found mainly after death. The symptoms of brain tumors are numerous and not specific to brain tumors, meaning they can be caused by many other illnesses as well. The only way to know for sure what is causing the symptoms is to undergo diagnostic testing. The symptoms are caused by the tumor pressing on or encroaching on other parts of your brain and keeping them from functioning normally. Some symptoms are caused by swelling in the brain caused by the tumor or surrounding inflammation. The symptoms of primary and metastatic brain cancers are similar.

A cousin of mine had a brain tumor. His was malignant and had to be removed. At first the symptom he should was peeing all the time and extreme headaches and Nausea which urged to vomit. He went to the doctor and had an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging). The scan indicate the presence of brain tumor. To now if it’s malignant a biopsy procedure is done. A biopsy is a sample of tissue removed by your doctor to make a precise diagnosis. A small hole is then made in the skull and a needle guided through the hole to the tumor. The needle collects the biopsy and is removed. This technique is called stereotaxis, or stereotactic biopsy. Biopsy procedures can range from a simple sampling of skin under local anesthesia to surgical opening of the chest wall to remove a portion of lung or brain tissue.
He said it was painful because it was done while he’s wide awake.

Treatment for brain cancer depends on the type and location of the tumor. Treatment involves any combination of surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. Some tumors require several different surgical procedures, and some can be treated with radiation alone. For my cousin at that time, laser microsurgery, was the treatment of choice for his type of cancer. MRI is used to pinpoint the location of the tumor and a laser is used to destroy the tumor. This procedure may be used after craniotomy to remove remaining tumor tissue. He was given another five years of normal life. He went biking and enjoyed life with frequent visits to the doctor for maintenance.

In all cancer patients story it is not always as happy as we would want it to be. After five years the doctor discovered that the laser instead of dissolving the tumor into oblivion it breakdown into smaller pieces and spread into different parts of his brain.
He decided not to try another procedure but rather enjoy the remaining time of his life. He died two years after. In any procedure there is always a risk involve and the doctor will inform us about it. We always just hope for the best.

image source: www.science.nationalgeographic.com
There are two main types of brain tumors: those that start in the brain (primary) and those that spread from cancer somewhere else in the body (metastasis). Primary brain tumors happen less often, and when they do, they are mostly malignant (cancerous). A malignant tumor is a mass or clump of cancer cells that keeps growing; it doesn’t do anything except feed off the body so it can grow.

The largest group of primary brain tumors is gliomas (glee-OH-muhs). There are several kinds of gliomas: astrocytomas, which grow anywhere in the brain or spinal cord; brain stem gliomas, which arise in the lowest part of the brain; ependymomas, which develop inside the brain, in the lining of the ventricles, and oligodendrogliomas, which usually grow in the cerebrum (very rare, representing just 3% of all primary brain tumors). An advanced astrocytoma is called glioblastoma; these represent 23% of all primary brain tumors.