It is estimated that every year about 2300 children are being affected because of brain tumor. It is a very major concern for WHO. The possible causes for brain tumor are found and environmental issues are also responsible for this. Any abnormal growth of a cell or rapidly growing cell contributes to brain tumor. There are several kinds of tumor. They are
· Primary: Originates in brain cells
· Secondary: Originates elsewhere in the body and spreads to brain
· Benign: It is not too delicated and can easily be treated. It does not spread to the surrounding areas.
· Harmful: Extremely fast in spreading around the nearby areas and aggressive.
Researches believe that genetic and environmental aspects are the major causes for brain causes and are still researching about it. The symptoms may be aggressive at times. It includes the damaging of brain cells, swelling at the tumor site, building up of fluid in the brain thereby increasing the pressure in the skull. This is the common symptom found. It also includes weakness of arms, legs, slurred speech, giddiness, head aches.
A CT scan or MRT scan can reveal the status of brain tumor exactly and the kind of treatment has to be decided depending upon the severity of the tumor. For most aggressive cases, surgery is the only option. In most cases, doctors would operate and take away partial tumor and then subject the patient for radiation therapy. This is done by exposing radiation to the affected part which will kill the rapidly growing cells. Chemotherapy is also another kind of treatment. But the last 2 methods may have many side effects in the growing brain cells of the child. The late effects have to be monitored properly as they can be succumbed to growth abnormalities, hormone deficiency and possibility of developing a second cancer also.
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