Brain Tumors
Brain Tumors Overview
Brain tumors are abnormal cell masses or growths in the brain. There are several brain tumor types:
- Benign (noncancerous)
- Malignant (cancerous)
- Primary (grows in the brain)
- Secondary (grows in the body and spreads to the brain)
Patients who experience brain tumor symptoms should make an appointment with a Carolina Orthopaedic and Neurosurgical Associates’ (CONA) brain tumor specialist as soon as possible.
Symptoms & Causes
Brain tumor symptoms include:
- Balance difficulties
- Blurred vision
- Confusion
- Difficulty speaking
- Headaches
- Migraines
- Nausea and vomiting
- Vertigo
Cell mutations cause primary brain tumors. Different types of cancer cause secondary brain tumors. Risk factors are:
- Family history
- Radiation exposure
Common Treatments:
After a thorough evaluation, a CONA brain tumor specialist may recommend:
- Chemotherapy
- Minimally invasive surgery
- Targeted drug therapy
Diagnosis:
A CONA brain tumor specialist:
- Obtains a complete medical history
- Performs a thorough neurosurgical evaluation
- Performs a thorough physical examination
- Orders and analyzes an MRI and CT scan
- Tests other parts of the body for cancer
A biopsy is performed in many cases. A tiny needle is used to take a small sample of abnormal tissue. The sample is sent to a lab for analysis. Lab results are sent to the CONA brain tumor specialist for review.