Benign Brain Tumor

What is benign brain tumor?

A benign (non-cancerous) brain tumor is a mass of cells that grows slowly in the brain. It usually stays in one place and does not spread. Generally, brain tumors are graded from 1 to 4 according to their behavior, such as how fast they grow and how likely they are to spread. Grade 1 tumors are the least aggressive and grade 4 are the most harmful and cancerous. Cancerous tumors are described as malignant. Low-grade brain tumors – grades 1 or 2 – tend to be slow growing and unlikely to spread, so they’re usually classed as benign.

However, Benign brain tumors can be life-threatening because they can compress brain tissue and other structures inside the skull, so the term “benign” can be misleading. Terminology is further complicated by some investigators who classify low-grade cancerous tumors as either “benign” or “relatively benign.” Regardless, compression of brain tissue or its additional structures (for example, nerves, ventricles) by a tumor mass is a major cause of the symptoms seen with benign (and malignant) tumors.

What are the symptoms of benign brain tumor?

Symptoms (signs) of benign brain tumors often are not specific. The following is a list of symptoms that, alone or combined, can be caused by benign brain tumors; unfortunately, these symptoms can occur in many other diseases:

• vision problems
• hearing problems
• balance problems
• changes in mental ability (for example, concentration, memory, speech)
• numbness in extremities
• nausea/vomiting
• seizures, muscle jerking
• headaches
• change in sense of smell
• facial paralysis

What is the cause of benign brain tumor?

Benign brain tumors that are congenital (present at birth) are caused by abnormal development of the baby in the womb. It is not fully understood what causes non-congenital tumors. Some genetic conditions can increase your risk of a benign brain tumor. These conditions include:

• Gorlin syndrome
• Li-Fraumeni cancer syndrome
• neurofibromatosis
• tuberous sclerosis
• von Hippel-Lindau syndrome
• Turcot syndrome

These conditions tend to cause gliomas brain cancer that appear in childhood or early adulthood, whereas most gliomas start later in adulthood.

Other possible causes

Radiotherapy to the brain increases your risk of a benign brain tumor, although this is still uncommon. It is also thought that family history of brain tumors and exposure to chemicals (such as formaldehyde) may be risk factors.

What is the diagnosis of benign brain tumor?

The doctor will examine you and refer you to a specialist if necessary. First, the doctor will examine the back of your eye and look for changes to the optic disc (the inside of the back of the eye) caused by an increase in pressure inside the skull. Raised pressure in the skull may indicate the presence of a tumor. If a growth is suspected, you will be referred to a neurologist (brain and nerve specialist). Then, the specialist will ask you about your medical history and symptoms. They will examine your nervous system, which may include tests of your:

• skin sensitivity to pinpricks, heat and cold
• hearing and vision
• balance and co-ordination
• mental agility (simple questions or arithmetic)
• facial muscles (testing whether you can smile or grimace, for example)
• reflexes, such as your swallow reflex and knee-jerk reflex
• limb strength

Diagnosis of benign brain tumor is made based on your symptoms, the examinations above and the results of certain test.

What about the benign brain test procedure?

You may have some of the following tests to help diagnose a brain tumor:

• Computerized tomography (CT) scan. This produces a detailed picture of your brain using a series of X-rays.
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan. This produces a detailed picture of your brain using a strong magnetic field and radio waves.
• X-ray of the skull.
• Electroencephalogram (EEG). Electrodes record your brain activity
• Positron emission tomography (PET) scan. This produces an image of your brain by detecting radiation inside your head (after radiation is introduced into your body).

If a tumor is suspected, a biopsy (surgical removal of a small piece of tissue) may be taken to establish the type of tumor and the most effective treatment. A biopsy involves making a small hole in the skull and using a fine needle to obtain a sample of tumor tissue.

BENIGN BRAIN TUMOR

What is the treatment for benign brain tumor?

Treatment of benign brain tumors is similar to other brain tumor treatments except that chemotherapy is seldom done. Treatment protocols are based on the patient’s age, the location and size of the tumor, and the patient’s overall condition. Brain surgery (craniotomy) with surgical removal of tumor and/or radiation therapy (for example,

conventional radiation, gamma knife, proton beam) are the main treatments. Often other drugs such as corticosteroids that reduce edema (swelling) and help the brain heal are part of the treatment plan. Rarely are benign tumors untreatable.

There is also a Chinese herbal treatment that can reduce and delay tumor growth in brain.Treatment according to the Malaysian Chinese Master, he used some herbs such as Polyporus Umbellatus, spica prunellae (common Selfheal fruit-spike of Prunella vulgaris and also Rhizoma Acori Graminei . These herbs may be found in traditional formulas combined with other herbs that are then individualized to specific conditions. The Chinese herbal formula is consumed as a drink, three times a day. Kuala Lumpur Chinese Master indicates that the ingredients are a “family heritage” which was inherited from his father and later refined by him.

Another Way of Chinese Medicine may be performed via acupuncture and qi gong. Acupuncture is a Medicine technique that uses fine needles to puncture at the point of the body, known as ‘acupuncture points’. It is used to influence the physiological functioning of the body. According to some people, acupuncture is a best technique to treat and to prevent diseases. This is because acupuncture is the oldest healing system in the world. Acupuncture is originating from China since 5000 years ago. It becomes popular in the whole world in the last three decades including in Kuala Lumpur (KL), Malaysia.

Qigong (also known as chi gong and chi kung) is a Chinese word that means energy work or cultivation of chi or energy. It is a powerful system of healing and energy medicine. Chinese physicians recorded thousands of years ago that everything is composed of the same energetic substance called Qi or chi. Qi gong practitioners believe that energetic blockages or an imbalance of Qi is the root cause of dis-ease and that a free flow of energy is needed in the body and energy system for good health and well-being. The body has an energy field that is composed of energetic lines called meridians and channels. Energetic blockages in these channels cause imbalances in the energy field, which can lead to dis-ease.

The recovery rates depends on the grade,stages and types of cancer, the location  cancer, the size of cancer,how long that cancer are happen and also age and patients general health. So it’s up to you to choose which of the appropriate treatment according to your needs and wants in order to treat your disease. But preferably Chinese Master himself came to know in detail about the disease and benign brain tumors immediately feared for bone tumor will spread into cancer. Chinese Master used to say, “Where there is desire there is a way.” English proverb it is said prevention is better than cure.

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