Thursday, August 30, 2018

What are primary and secondary brain tumours?


A brain tumour is the growth of abnormal cells in the brain and spinal cord. Brain tumours can be cancerous (benign) or non-cancerous (malignant). On the basis of origin, a brain tumour can be classified into two categories: primary brain tumour and secondary brain tumour.
Primary brain tumours are the kind of tumours that originate in the brain or spinal cord region. They can be benign or malignant depending upon the type of abnormal cell growth. The best brain tumour specialists in India suggest getting the tumour surgically removed if a tumour is in the outer part of the brain and then carry on with the chemotherapy so as to make sure that no defective cells are left behind.
The most common type of primary brain tumours are gliomas that originate in the glial tissues. These gliomas are:
    Astrocytomas - Astrocytomas are the primary brain tumours that arise from the tiny, star-shaped cells called astrocytes. The Astrocytomas generally originate in the cerebrum or cerebellum.
    Oligodendrogliomas - Oligodendrogliomas begin in the cells that produce myelin (the fatty covering that protects the nerves). These cells grow very slowly in the cerebrum and do not usually spread to other parts of the brain.
    Ependymomas – Though these tumours can develop at any stage, they are most common in children and adolescents. They occur in the lining of the ventricles and the spinal cord.
Other than gliomas, the primary tumors that develop in the brain and spinal cord are Meningiomas (develop from the meninges), Schwannomas (Arise from the Schwan cells and are usually benign), Craniopharyngiomas (develop in and around the pituitary gland), Germ cell tumors (arise from developing sex cells or germ cells), Pineal region tumors (develop in the pineal gland).
On the other hand, secondary brain tumours are the tumours that develop due to the spreading of cancerous cells from a region of the body to the brain. This type of cancer is called metastatic cancer and is known by the place of origin of cancer. For example, if cancer originated in the lung it would be known as metastatic lung cancer and not secondary brain cancer.
Secondary brain tumours are usually cancerous and more difficult to cure than the primary brain tumours. Their treatment depends upon various factors like the age of the patient, the origin of cancer and the place of the secondary brain tumour.
According to the best brain tumour specialists in India, there is always an option for the possible treatment. It may take time and effort but the patient has to keep his or her trust in the doctor and not lose hope.
Cancer is already a stressful disease and if it is in a complicated region like the brain, it can be difficult to cope up with it. There are several treatments available for the treatment of brain tumours like surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy but the stage of cancer plays a vital role in the treatment. For instance, a stage III cancer is difficult to treat than a stage I cancer.

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