May is Brain Cancer Awareness Month. Every year, about 23,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with brain cancer according to the American Cancer Society.
The chance that someone will develop a malignant tumor of the brain or spinal cord during their lifetime is less than one percent (for men: 1 in 143, and for women: 1 in 185).
While some cancers have associated risks (like smoking being linked to an increased risk of developing lung cancer), the majority of brain tumors are not linked with any known risk factors, and they usually have no obvious cause.
However, some known risk factors exist. Exposure to radiation can increase a person’s risk of developing a brain tumor. Usually this occurs as a result of receiving radiation to treat another pre-existing condition.
Having a weakened immune system can also put a person at risk for developing a brain tumor. A weakened immune system is sometimes present at birth, or else can become present through treatment for other cancers.
Though it is sometimes the case with other types of cancer, most people who develop brain tumors do not have a family history of brain cancer.
The link between cell phone usage and brain tumors is also being studied, but it will be a number of years before any real results can be concluded definitively. Exposure to certain elements, like vinyl chloride, petroleum products and other chemicals, can lead to an increased risk, as well.
As there are no known risk factors linked with brain cancer, it’s difficult to take any action to prevent its development. The best method of fighting brain cancer is through early detection and diagnosis.
There are a number of tests doctors use to check for brain and spinal tumors in adults:
- Examinations of medical history
- Physical exams
- Imaging tests
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan
- Computed tomography (CT) scan
- Positron emission tomography (PET) scan
- Chest x-ray
- Brain or spinal cord tumor biopsy
- Lumbar puncture (spinal tap)
- Blood and urine tests
Treatment for brain and spinal cord tumors largely depends on the type of tumor, among other factors. It is not uncommon for patients to receive multiple types of treatment to produce the best results. Some options include:
- Surgery
- Radiation
- including radiosurgery, like Gamma Knife
- Chemotherapy
- Targeted Therapy
- Drug Treatments
- Alternating Electric Field Therapy
Learn more about Neuro-Oncology at Karmanos here.
To request an appointment at Karmanos Cancer Institute, please choose from the options below.
- 1-800-KARMANOS (1-800-527-6266)
- Request Appointment Online – a Karmanos representative will contact you within 24 hours of your request, Monday through Friday.