What are Brain and Spinal Cord Cancers?
Primary brain and spinal cord tumors originate in either the brain or spinal cord. Secondary tumors start in other organs and later spread, or metastasize, to the central nervous system (CNS), which includes the brain and spinal cord. If you have one of these tumors, your symptoms, outlook for survival (prognosis), and treatment depend on your age, the tumor type, and the precise location of the tumor within the CNS. According to the American Cancer Society, primary brain and spinal cord tumors account for about 1.3 percent of all cancers.
Risk Factors
The majority of brain tumors are not associated with any risk factors. Most brain tumors simply happen for no apparent reason. A few risk factors associated with brain cancer are known including immune system disorders and family history.
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Common Symptoms
A doctor should be seen if any of the following exist. Common symptoms include:
- Frequent headache
- Vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Blurred vision
- Lethargy (abnormal sleepiness)
- Seizures
- A loss of some function due to nerve damage including hearing and vision
- Unusual sensation or numbness
- Impaired speech
- Difficulty walking
- Changes in thinking and personality
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Screening and Diagnosis
If symptoms exist, your internist (general doctor) or a neurologist will review your medical history, and examine you. They may suggest the following tests:
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Chest x-ray - most cancers in the brain start elsewhere in the body (often in the lungs) and spread to the brain. Your doctor may want to rule out lung cancer.
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Computed Tomography (CT scan) - CT scans use a computer to combine a series of x-rays and produce a three-dimensional image of internal organs and structures within the body.
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Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) - MRI uses radio waves and magnetic fields to obtain superbly detailed anatomical images of the body.
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Positron Emission Tomography (PET scan) - PET is a powerful imaging technique that provides unique information about the body's chemistry, cell function and exact location of disease.
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Biopsy - A biopsy is where the doctor will remove tissue from the tumor to make a definitive diagnosis.
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Lumbar puncture (spinal tap) - A needle is place in the lower portion of the back to remove a sample of spinal fluid. The fluid is reviewed under a microscope to determine if cancer cells are present.
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Common Treatment Options
Treatment for brain and spinal cord cancers is based on the type, stage, and size of the tumor, as well as prognosis and ability to tolerate certain medications or surgery. The goal of treatment is to preserve healthy tissue while destroying and removing tumors at their point of origin, as well as any cancer cells that have spread throughout the body.
Surgery
Depending on the location and stage of the tumor, surgical removal may be recommended. Chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy may be used before surgery to shrink the tumor and spare as much healthy tissue as possible.
Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy is a non-surgical method of treatment of cancer and other diseases using penetrating beams of high-energy waves called x-rays or gamma rays. Radiation injures or destroys tumor cells by damaging their genetic material, making it impossible for these cells to continue to grow. There are two types of radiation therapy:
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External-beam radiation therapy - Specialized medical equipment is used to deliver radiation to the tumor site from outside the body.
Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) is the most sophisticated method of radiation treatment for brain and spinal cord cancers. IMRT is an advanced, precise method of external beam radiation therapy that delivers high doses of radiation directly to the tumor while sparing surrounding healthy tissue. IMRT is a more precise then Gamma Knife Radiosurgery.
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Internal radiation therapy - Radioactive material is placed in the body near the cancer cells (also called implant radiation or brachytherapy).
The way radiation therapy is given depends on the type and stage of the cancer being treated. Radiation therapy is usually given in conjunction with surgery and chemotherapy.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is a type of treatment that uses drugs to stop the growth of cancer cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping the cells from dividing. Chemotherapy drugs can be taken orally or by injection depending on the type and stage of the cancer and the type of drug protocol your doctor has prescribed. It is important to discuss your treatment protocol with your treatment team so you are aware of any possible side effects.
