Brain tumors may seem uncommon, but they still affect millions of people each year. While a brain tumor diagnosis can be scary, recent advancements in medicine and surgical technology mean there are more personalized and precise treatment options today than ever before.
Dr. John Braca
Q: Who is most at risk for a brain tumor?
The common age range for brain tumor diagnoses is between 55 and 65 years old. This can be due to genetic factors or environmental exposures. Childhood is another common time when brain tumors can be diagnosed.
Q: What are some possible symptoms of brain tumors?
Symptoms to watch out for include seizures, trouble with motor function or balance, difficulty with forming thoughts or speaking and differences in function between sides of the body, such as a droop on one side of the face or an inability to lift a limb on a certain side of the body. Patients often worry that a new onset headache is a sign of a brain tumor, but that is rarely true.
A lot of brain tumor symptoms overlap with other medical conditions, so it’s important to bring any new, consistent and unusual symptoms as described above to the attention of your doctor.
Q: How are brain tumors diagnosed?
In addition to a neurological exam, where doctors evaluate your mental status, movements and reflexes, we rely heavily on imaging to diagnose brain tumors, including computed tomography (CT) scans and brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)s. Often, an unusual structure will be biopsied and sent to a pathologist for further examination. Pathology can also reveal how a brain tumor will respond to certain treatments.
Q: Are all brain tumors harmful?
There are two types of brain tumors – cancerous and non-cancerous. While most brain tumors are non-cancerous, they can still cause problems depending on their location. Many non-cancerous tumors originate from the lining of the brain and are called meningiomas.
Q: What treatments are available?
Surgery is our primary means for treating brain tumors. In the last five years, new technologies have emerged that allow us to do more precise and effective procedures. We also collaborate closely with our colleagues at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center to treat cancerous brain tumors with chemotherapy, radiation therapy and other medications.
Related Posts:
