Michael's Hands

Adult brain tumor is a disease in which malignant cancer cells grow in the tissues of the brain. Once again, this may be due to toxins introduced to that portion of the body. The head is the most likely place to receive radioactive poisoning either from the sun or artificial sources, such a radio waves (including those emitted by cell phones). With the decrease in people wearing hats or covering their heads in our society, these factors need to be considered. The fact is that the environment has become more radioactive in general. Sun bathing has become more fashionable than ever; and we add to the Sun's rays radiation from artificial sun lamps and tanning spas. Hair protects some portions of the head. Children, those with shorter hair, and bald people are at the highest risk. In addition to visible and near-visible frequencies, we now have electromagnetic interference produced right here on earth (the aforementioned cell phones, for example).

Symptoms of brain tumors may include frequent headaches, vomiting, or difficulty walking or speaking. The brain controls memory and learning, senses (hearing, sight, smell, taste, and touch), and emotion. It also controls other parts of the body, including muscles, organs, and blood vessels. Thus it is imperative to ascertain which of these areas may be affected. It is also important to ascertain which type of brain tumor has manifested.

In order to plan treatment, one needs to know the type and grade of brain tumor. The following types are used to group adult brain tumors.

Astrocytomas

Tumors that start in brain cells called astrocytes. There are different kinds of astrocytomas, each of which is defined by how the cancer cells look under a microscope.

Non-infiltrating astrocytoma

Tumors that grow slowly and usually do not grow into the tissues around them.

Well-differentiated mildly and moderately anaplastic astrocytoma

These are slow growing cells, but grow more quickly than noninfiltrating astrocytomas. They start to grow into other tissues around them.

Anaplastic astrocytoma

These cells look very different from normal cells and grow more rapidly.

Glioblastoma multiforme

These tumors grow very quickly and have cells that look very different from normal cells. Glioblastoma multiforme is also called grade IV astrocytoma.

Brain Stem Gliomas

Tumors located in the bottom part of the brain that connects to the spinal cord (the brain stem).

Cerebellar Astrocytoma

Occurs in the area of the brain called the cerebellum, which is just above the back of the neck. Cerebellar astrocytomas usually grow slowly and do not usually spread from where they began, to other parts of the brain or body.

Ependymal Tumors

These are tumors that begin in the ependyma, the cells that line the passageways in the brain where special fluid that protects the brain and spinal cord (called cerebrospinal fluid) is made and stored. There are different kinds of ependymal tumors, each of which is defined by how the cells look under a microscope.

Well-differentiated ependymoma

These tumors have cells that look very much like normal cells and grow quite slowly.

Anaplastic ependymoma

These are ependymal tumors that do not look like normal cells and grow more quickly than well-differentiated ependymal tumors.

Ependymoblastoma

These are rare cancers that usually occur in children. They may grow very quickly.

Oligodendroglial Tumors

The tumors originate in the brain cells called oligodendrocytes, which provide support and nourishment for the cells that transmit nerve impulses. There are different types of oligodendroglial tumors, each of which is defined by how the cells look under a microscope.

Well-differentiated oligodendroglioma

These are slow-growing tumors that look very much like normal cells.

Anaplastic oligodendroglioma

These tumors grow more quickly, and the cancer cells look very different from normal cells.

Mixed gliomas

These brain tumors occur in more than one type of brain cell, including cells of astrocytes, ependymal cells, and/or oligodendrocytes.

Medulloblastoma

These brain tumors begin in the lower part of the brain. They are almost always found in children or young adults. This type of cancer may spread from the brain to the spine.

Pineal parenchymal tumors

Pineal region tumors are tumors found in or around a tiny organ located near the center of the brain, the pineal gland The tumors can be slow growing (pineocytomas) or fast growing (pineoblastomas). Astrocytomas may also start here.

Germ cell tumors

Arise from the sex cells. There are different kinds of germ cell tumors, including germinomas, embryonal carcinomas, choriocarcinomas, and teratomas.

Craniopharyngioma

These are tumors that occur near the pituitary gland, a small organ about the size of a pea that is located just above the back of the nose and controls many of the body's functions. Such a tumor disrupts those functions, thus providing the first symptoms.

Meningioma

These tumors occur in the membranes that cover and protect the brain and spinal cord (the meninges). Meningiomas usually grow slowly.

Malignant meningioma

This is a rare tumor that grows more quickly than other meningiomas.

Choroid Plexus Tumors

These tumors are composed of tissue located in the spaces inside the brain called ventricles. The choroid plexus makes the fluid that fills the ventricles and surrounds the brain and spinal cord. Tumors of the choroid plexus can grow slowly (choroid plexus papilloma) or grow more rapidly (anaplastic choroid plexus papilloma). The rapidly growing tumors are more likely to spread to other places in the brain and to the spinal cord.

Some of the symptoms of a brain tumor are:

• A pressure in the head causing headaches, which are often generalized, persistent, and worsen with activity such as straining and are often worse at night or in the early morning.
• Vomiting, which may or may not be associated with nausea; this is more common in children than adults.
• Seizures, especially in an adult without any history of seizures.
• A change in mental ability or personality, which may be more obvious to the patient's associates then they are to the patient him or herself.
• Lethargy.