Friday, July 1, 2011

Brain Cancer: A Quick Overview and Even Faster Facts

Cancer is one of the leading causes of death among populations and is characterized by the parasitic, abnormal growth of cells in the body; it may attack any system of the body including the Central Nervous System. It attacks men and women, children and adults, whatever the race or ethnicity.

Brain cancer is defined as any abnormal tissue growth in the brain and is very broad term since this growth may be found in the blood vessels supplying the brain, the meninges or covering of the organ, or from the brain tissue itself and its components. There is no one cause for cancer, but there are several predisposing factors which may increase the risk like age, heredity, exposure to carcinogens, and presence of premalignant lesions like moles. Of the stated predisposing factors, genetics appear to be the strongest factor.

No matter the origin of this abnormal growth, the limited space inside the cranium will result to "overcrowding" which may lead to the compression of the structures within the skull, leading to an increased Intracranial Pressure. Now, if this pressure in the skull increases, it will have the following effects: it will decrease the oxygenation to the brain, cause accumulation of metabolic wastes such as lactic acid and carbonic acid, and cause impaired brain functioning. In a nutshell, having increased pressure in one's skull is bad, and since the malignant tumour grows steadily, it will progress the patient's deterioration until the brain's respiratory and circulatory centers, the pons and medulla oblongata, cease functioning because of the lack of oxygen and metabolic acidity.

To confirm the presence of a malignancy, the physician will order a tissue biopsy which will assess the suspicious cells for abnormal appearance characteristic of cancer. When it comes to innovations in cancer treatment technology and research, Texas has some of the largest programs in the United States, brain cancer Texas appears to be the mecca of Cancer management; it even sports programs that cater specifically to one group of clients, especially children and adolescents. When a tumour is confirmed to be malignant, the healthcare providers may offer the family three major options: Surgery, Chemotherapy, or Radiotherapy. Surgery is usually the first step doctors will recommend the family to take, followed by either of the two remaining treatments.

To detect malignancies, one should submit themselves to a thorough physical examination annually and to maintain a healthy lifestyle. More caution and careful screening should be practiced by those with a family history of cancer since it can run in families.

Author is a freelance copywriter. For more information about brain cancer Texas, please visit http://www.lifescript.com/doctor-directory/index.aspx

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