To diagnose a malignant tumor, a doctor may engage in a series of neurological exams that test senses such as sight and vision to see if they are at all impaired. An imaging test such as an MRI or a CT scan is used to find the tumor, and a biopsy will help determine if the tumor is malignant.
Identification
Brain tumors are either benign or malignant. Malignant brain tumors are cancerous. Brain cancer that starts in the brain is called primary brain cancer and the associated tumor is called a primary brain tumor. Cancer that starts in another part of the body and travels to the brain is called metastatic brain cancer, and the associated tumor is called a metastatic brain tumor or a secondary brain tumor.
Benign brain tumors are not cancerous. This does not mean they are not dangerous---benign brain tumors pose challenges and danger that can be as serious those presented by malignant tumors.
Types
Brain tumors can create a variety of symptoms. Some of the physical symptoms of a brain tumor are sudden bouts with nausea that can lead to vomiting, blurred or double vision, the inability to control parts of the body, an inability to speak or speaking with slurred words, recurrent seizures and headaches that become progressively more chronic and painful.
Effects
Brain tumors also can have psychological effects on the person. There may be wide and unexplained mood swings. The person could go from laughing hysterically one moment to crying uncontrollably just a minute or two later. Coordination could be affected, which could make walking difficult. The person would become irritable and anxious at random moments. His overall personality may start to change and he may start to lose his memory. There may be an overall feeling of confusion, and it may seem like the person is constantly in a fog.
Potential
The major difference between malignant brain tumors and benign brain tumors is that malignant brain tumors can metastasize (spread) to other parts of the brain. Malignant brain tumors can become progressively worse, and it is also possible for the cancer to make its way to other parts of the body. A malignant brain tumor could also cause cancer to spread down the spine. In some cases, the tumor may be trapped somewhere within the tissue surrounding the brain and unable to spread cancerous cells. These kinds of tumors are referred to as encapsulated malignant brain tumors.
Prevention/Solution
Treatment of a malignant brain tumor may consist of a combination of surgery, chemotherapy medication or radiation treatment. One of the things the doctor will be cautious about is the possibility that trying to remove a cancerous tumor may agitate it and cause more cancer cells to spread. This is especially true in the case of an encapsulated malignant tumor where the spread of the cancer is contained by the position of the tumor, and upsetting that position may cause the cancer to spread.
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