Brain cancer has been one of the most difficult cancers to diagnose. Identifying its causes has presented challenges as well. Before technology advanced to provide accurate images of the brain, it was hard to determine the location of the brain tumor. However, over the years, new technologies have been developed that not only locate the tumor, but also eradicate it. In addition, while the exact cause of brain tumors have not yet been determined, brain tumor myths -- like cell phone usage leads to tumors -- have been debunked.
Primary v. Secondary Tumors
There are two forms of brain cancers: primary brain tumors and secondary brain tumors. Primary brain tumors originate in the brain and the spinal cord. Secondary brain tumors, on the other hand, come from cancers in other areas of the body. Part of the original tumor breaks off, travels up the blood stream, and starts growing on the brain. (See Reference 1)
Types of Brain Cancer
There are several types of primary cancers. The main types include astrocytoma, which originates in the brain stem, cerebellum, white matter and spinal cord; brain stem glioma, which starts in medulla, pons and the midbrain; choroid plexus papilloma, which is in the ventricles; ependymoma, which originates in the ventricle membranes and central canal of the spine; glioblastoma multiforme, which forms in the glial cells in the cerebrum; and medulloblastoma, which occurs in the fourth cerebral ventricle and the cerebellum. (See Reference 1)
Discovery of Causes
Over the years, more has been discovered through research about the causes of brain cancer. In 1987, a study put out by the New York State Health Department showed that children who lived near power lines were more likely to develop brain cancer or leukemia due to the exposure to high magnetic fields. (See Reference 2) Nineteen years later, a study by London's Institute of Cancer Research showed that there was no correlation between cell phone use and brain tumors. (See Reference 5)
Surgery and Radiation
Radiation is a common form of brain cancer treatment. However, patients showed a better survival rate and quality of life when radiation treatment was combined with surgery. (See Reference 3)
Discovery of Treatments
In addition to introducing surgery along with radiation, experiments of other treatment options have been performed on patients who do not respond to conventional therapy. In 1993, a herpes-gene therapy was introduced, where the tumor cells would be infected with herpes, and then treated with herpes drugs. (See Reference 4). Another revolutionary treatment used DNA disruption with the drug temozolomide to prevent cancer cells from reproducing. (See Reference 6)
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