FAQ about Brain Tumors

Brain tumors are abnormal cells that are formed by the uncontrolled proliferation of cells in the brain. It can occur in the brain or in the surrounding tissues.

A lesion is damage to a tissue for any reason. A brain lesion is a condition such as damage or injury to the tissues in the brain. Brain lesions can be of different sizes or shapes. Not all brain lesions are tumors. Brain lesions often appear as spots on MRI.

Symptoms such as long-lasting severe headache, nausea and vomiting, epileptic seizures, sudden vision or hearing loss suggest a brain tumor first.

Vertigo is one of the symptoms of a brain tumor. However, a brain tumor does not only manifest itself with dizziness. If there is a brain tumor, vertigo is usually accompanied by different signs.

– Headache (especially at night)
– Nausea and vomiting,
– Double vision or blurred vision
– Epileptic seizures, fainting
– Balance and gait disturbances
– Numbness, tingling or loss of strength in arms and legs
– Forgetfulness, personality disorders
– Speech disorders

A brain tumor can cause severe headaches in some people. A brain tumor patient may experience headaches every day. However, in some cases, the headache may not occur at all.

Benign brain tumors usually grow slowly. Malignant tumors, on the other hand, grow much faster.

Generally, benign brain tumors do not spread. However, malignant brain tumors can metastasize.

Brain metastasis is the spread of cancerous cells from different regions to the brain.

– Exposure to radiation
– Immune system disorders
– Brain tumor in family history
– Exposure to harmful chemicals
– Male gender (The incidence is higher in males than females.)
– The white race
– Advanced age

Some brain tumors are known to be inherited.

Recent studies have shown that cell phone use does not increase the risk of brain cancer.

Brain tumor is diagnosed by the following methods:
– Neurological examination
– Brain Tomography (BT)
– Magnetic Resonance (MR)
– Biopsy

Extremely successful results can be obtained with surgeries performed by specialist teams in brain tumors. Early diagnosis is extremely important to increase the success rate of treatment.

Not all brain tumors are cancer. Benign brain tumors can also occur.

A neurosurgeon should be consulted for the treatment of brain tumors.

Microsurgical methods are used in the treatment of brain tumors. In some cases, radiotherapy and chemotherapy treatment may be necessary in addition to brain tumor surgery.

With awake neurosurgery, it is aimed to prevent the patient from experiencing loss in functions such as speaking and moving.

No pain is felt in the brain. At the beginning of the operation, the patient is put to sleep. When the brain is reached, the patient is awakened. The patient does not feel any pain in the operations performed in the brain.

Surgery may not be possible if the tumor is in the brain stem or in a dangerous place to reach.

The patient’s life expectancy varies according to the location, type and stage of the tumor. Not all brain tumors are malignant. Patients with benign brain tumors may have a longer life expectancy. In addition, the region affected by the tumor in the brain is one of the factors affecting the life span.

Depending on the general condition of the patient, an average of 3-5 days of hospitalization may be required.

Benign brain tumor usually does not recur. However, many types of malignant tumors can recur.

New surgical technologies increase the success rate in brain tumor surgeries.
New technological developments:
– Operation Microscope with Fluorescent Filter
– Neuronavigation
– Intraoperative USG
– Neuromonitoring systems