What are brain tumors?
A brain tumor is a mass made up of abnormal cells. These cells grow and multiply uncontrollably in your brain. The many kinds of brain tumors all fall into two categories:
Primary
Primary brain tumors begin in the tissues of your brain or the membranes that surround it. Primary tumors can be noncancerous (benign) or cancerous (malignant).
The primary brain tumors that doctors see most often are gliomas and meningiomas. Gliomas consist of glial cells, which normally support your nervous system. Glioblastomas are the most aggressive gliomas. Meningiomas develop in the meninges, the membranes that cover your brain.
Metastatic
Metastatic brain tumors arise in other parts of your body, like the lungs, and travel to the brain. Metastatic tumors are cancerous. Nearly one in four people with cancer develop a metastatic brain tumor.
What are the symptoms of brain tumors?
Brain tumors cause Many symptoms based on their size, where they are, and how fast they’re growing. General symptoms of brain tumors can include:
- Headaches (most often worse in the morning or middle of the night)
- Numbness or tingling on one side of your body
- Dizziness or loss of coordination
- Difficulty thinking, speaking, or understanding what others are saying
- Changes in personality, mood, and/or behavior
- Muscles weakness in your face or limbs
- Confusion and disorientation
- Nausea and vomiting
- Vision changes
- Changes in hearing, taste, and/or smell
- Confusion or disorientation
- Seizures
Call Dr. Glickman at the Center for Neurosurgery Las Vegas if you have any continuous symptoms of a brain tumor.
How are brain tumors diagnosed?
First, Dr. Glickman conducts a thorough neurological exam, checking your hearing, vision, balance, and coordination, among other things. Areas of difficulty provide information about where a brain tumor is.
Imaging tests, like magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), and positron emission tomography (PET), can also help diagnose brain tumors.
How are brain tumors treated?
At the Center for Neurosurgery Las Vegas, Dr. Glickman develops an individualized treatment plan based on the kind of brain tumor you have, where it is, and how big it is.
If the tumor is in an area that’s accessible, Dr. Glickman may recommend surgery. He uses advanced technologies and techniques like computer-assisted navigation and minimally invasive procedures to ensure the best possible results.
Another brain tumor treatment is stereotactic radiosurgery. This treatment uses highly focused beams of radiation, chemotherapy, and targeted drug therapy.
For patient-centered care of brain tumors, call the Center for Neurosurgery Las Vegas today, or book an appointment online.
