Brain tumors are caused by uncontrolled cell growth in the tissue of the brain. This results in a growth that can displace or destroy healthy tissue. A brain tumor can be benign or malignant. Some brain tumors can be surgically removed.
You can find more information and selected brain tumor specialists here.
Worldwide, an average of 3.5 people per 100,000 people are affected by a malignant brain tumor. In Germany, three out of every 100,000 children have a brain tumor. This makes brain tumors the second most common malignant childhood disease.
The exact diagnosis and determination of the type of brain tumor are decisive for the subsequent therapy.
There are a total of 130 different types of brain tumors. These tumors differ in terms of
They are characterized by uncontrolled cell growth.
Well-known types of brain tumors are, for example
Brain metastases are secondary tumors. This means that they did not originate in the brain, but can be traced back to skin cancer, for example.
The underlying causes for the development of a brain tumor are still unclear. However, it is known that direct irradiation of another organ, e.g. cancer, increases the risk.
In addition to ionizing radiation, researchers are also discussing oncogenic viruses (cancer-causing viruses) as causes of brain tumours. A genetic or hormonal risk could also be responsible for the development of a brain tumor.
A few hereditary diseases can also cause the growth of a brain tumor, such as neurofibromatosis type 1 and 2. Otherwise, brain tumors are not demonstrably hereditary.
The 30 different types of tumor can have very different symptoms. There is therefore no clear symptom that is characteristic of all tumor types.
The effects of a brain tumor depend in particular on its location within the brain.
An acoustic neuroma WHO grade I, which is localized on the brain side of the internal auditory canal, causes for example
A WHO grade IV glioblastoma can cause
personality changes.
A brain tumor arises directly from the tissue of the brain. There are over 100 different types of brain tumors © peterschreiber.media | AdobeStock
The symptoms of a brain tumour indicate its location in the brain. They are therefore a first indication for further diagnosis.
After classifying the tumor, there is also an index for assessing the patient's impairment. This form of performance impairment of a patient with a brain tumor is based on the so-called Karnofsky Index or the ECOG (Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group).
The treatment of a brain tumor depends on the type of tumor and its classification. Careful diagnosis is therefore very important. As a rule, an interdisciplinary tumor board decides how to proceed in each individual case.
Some forms of brain tumors cannot be operated on. The chances of recovery are poorer in this case.
Other types can be easily removed by brain tumor surgery. In these cases, the prospects of subsequent therapies, such as radiotherapy and chemotherapy, are better.
The tumor itself, but also its treatment, often causes further symptoms. To alleviate these, patients usually undergo so-called supportive therapy. This usually consists of the administration of pain-relieving medication.
Some patients also wish to undergo complementary therapy. This refers to forms of treatment from alternative medicine. These include applications of traditional Chinese medicine or homeopathic remedies. In most cases, patients look for appropriate providers themselves. These measures have no demonstrable effect beyond a placebo effect. From a medical point of view, they are therefore not recommended.
A brain tumor specialist is usually a neurosurgeon. After studying medicine, a neurosurgeon has completed further training to become a specialist in neurosurgery. The training period is 72 months and covers the treatment of diseases that are directly or indirectly related to the brain.
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