Monday, January 30, 2012

What Are The Causes Of Brain Cancer?

Here, I am going to describe the most common causes of Brian Cancer. As if you know the causes early, you can take proper precautions to live far away from Brain Cancer.

1. Deletion of Gene Causes Brain cancer: The deletion of a gene, normally present on chromosome 14, may cause cancer in brain, which is the most common, malignant type of brain cancer. Recently, the Researchers of Stanford University School of Medicine has exposed that the deletion of this gene, promote tumor development and grow resistance to therapy. This is frequently occurs in one out of every four cases of Brain cancer.

2. Heredity-An Important Cause: Risk of suffering from brain cancer is known to increase if a person has a family history of cancer. Cancer in brain often occurs with members of the same family, so heredity could be a cause of this.

3. Abnormal Cell Mutation: Primary brain tumors begin when mutations occur in normal cells within their DNA. Mutation may allow cells growth and divisions at increased rate, and to continue to living, when the healthy cells would die. As a result, a mass of abnormal cells occurs, which forms a tumor.

4. Uncontrollable Cell Growth in Brain Most Often Causes Brain Tumor (Brain cancer): Our brain has many different kinds of cells and each with a different function. If, in any case, these cells inside the brain begin to grow up uncontrollably, then this will surely lead to a tumor.

5. A Benign Brain Tumor may not be cancerous, but Malignant tumor could be easily Cancerous: A tumor in the brain may or may not be malignant. If benign, a tumor stays its own place, where it starts, though it can grow up very large, and put pressure on crucial areas. In case of a malignant brain tumor which has the ability to spread, and cause cancer..

6. Cancer, that begins elsewhere, of the body, spreads to the brain- Cancer can develop in the brain (Primary cancer) or may developed by spread up of other cancer that previously affects the body. If, any other part of the body has any type of cancer, and then there is a great possibility of occurring cancer in brain due to spreading from the infected part of the body. This is the Secondary (metastatic) brain tumor. The Cancers of the breast, lung, skin, or blood (leukemia or lymphoma) can also be spread up (metastasize) to the brain.

Finally, I want to say to all my readers to be very careful while using excessive cell phone. Radiation of cell phone is a great risk of developing Brain Cancer.

Friday, January 27, 2012

Brain Cancer Treatment Centers Abroad

A brain tumor occurs when there is an abnormal level of cell growth within the brain. A brain tumor can be either benign or malignant; these being non-cancerous and cancerous tumors respectively. Brain cancer is extremely serious and once had a very low rate of survival, but recent medical advancements have increased the chances of the survival.

One of the largest problems with brain cancer in certain countries is actually receiving the needed treatment. Costs are very expensive and it is difficult to find coverage. The hospitals, insurance companies, and financial aid organizations put up far too much red tape that must be gone through, and precious time is wasted. People are forced to wait far too long while their claim is still pending, and many are eventually denied help.

A miracle for some people has been the treatment for brain cancer abroad. In North America and some European countries, the waiting time for treatment and overall cost is so overwhelming that it negatively affects the odds of survival. But there are many foreign countries where patients can receive treatment at a much faster and reliable speed, and at more reasonable costs.

Getting treatment abroad does not mean that you will have to receive less effective treatment. There are many foreign countries with highly capable medical centers with professionals who were trained in the United Kingdom or the United States and have a good rate of success with cancer treatments.

Another great benefit of getting treatment abroad is that patients can visit new and exciting places while receiving care. It helps the patient to be more relaxed, optimistic, and happy during this time. There's no point spending every moment worrying. A change in scenery, beautiful sights, exiting things to do and see, and knowing that you're now receiving the treatment that you need, can help keep you in a positive mind-set.

The first step is to research your choices carefully. There are many options for brain cancer treatments abroad. You'll want to pick the hospital or clinic that sounds best to you. There are many that have good reputations and offer international care. Some great examples will be listed here.

One country that has done well with international brain cancer treatment is Singapore. One of the clinics here is the National Cancer Center, Singapore; or NCCS. Brain cancer treatment is available at this capable medical center, and they offer a foreign patient service to help international patients seeking brain cancer treatment abroad.

The Bumrungrad Hospital in Bangkok, Thailand is another great option. Some 430,000 international patients are treated every year at this multi-specialty hospital.

Klinikum Stuttgart is a highly modern and professional hospital in Germany. A large number of international patients receive care at this highly-professional hospital.

The Istanbul Memorial Hospital is yet another great option with a prestigious reputation. Like the others, they also treat many international patients every year and take great lengths to make sure patients receive the highest level of medical care.

All of these hospitals are highly qualified with great reputations. And there are other capable hospitals out there that can offer brain cancer treatment to international patients. With so many trustworthy options available, it stacks the odds in finding quick treatment at an affordable price. Trying to find treatment near home can be hard, so it's very good to know that there are other choices available.

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Do Cell Phones Really Cause Brain Cancer?

The cell phone today is more ubiquitous than ever, and scientific studies continue to try to distinguish the relationship between cellular phones and cancer.

A recent study from the National Institutes of Health showed increased brain activity in participants exposed to cell phone radiation. The study used PET scans to measure the brain's sugar level, and found increased activity in regions closest to the phone's antenna after 50 minutes of exposure. Although the increased activity isn't directly linked to harmful effects, the human brain's evident sensitivity to the phone's electromagnetic waves does raise further questions.

In May 2011, the World Health Organization reclassified cell phone radiation exposure as "possibly carcinogenic," a label that places it in the same category as chloroform and lead. The most extensive case control study of cellular phones and cancer, the Interphone study, conducted across 13 countries for a decade found that the highest grade of mobile phone users-those who used their phones for 30 minutes a day over 10 years or more- were twice as likely to develop glioma, a malignant brain tumor. These results are alarming, particularly because the study failed to take into account that children and young adults are far more susceptible to cell phone radiation than adults.

Cellular phone radiation testing conducted by manufacturers also underestimates the amount of radiation that users are exposed to. A recent paper published in the journal Electromagnetic Biology and Medicine revealed that industry testing is done on a mannequin modeled after a 6'2", 200 pound man with the phone held one inch from the mannequin's ear. The study estimates that 97 percent of the population deviate from this unrealistic model of usage and experience greater exposure.

The Federal Communications Commission requires a mobile phone to have a Specific Absorption Rate (SAR), a measure of the peak of electromagnetic radiation level in a model, of less than 1.6 watts per kilogram. However, the peak SAR may not represent the actual SAR levels of a typical phone call. A cellular phone with a lower SAR may expose the user to more radiation on average than one with a higher SAR. A study conducted by a bioengineering research professor, Dr. Henry Lai, found effects of memory loss in rats exposed to SAR levels as low 0.0006 to 0.06 watts per kilogram.

As of 2010, there are over 223 million mobile phone users in the US over the age of 13 and the numbers are constantly growing. According to the CTIA, the Wireless Association, the total minutes of cell phone use in America in 2009 was 2.3 trillion minutes. Cellular phone users are also starting at younger ages. Given the indispensable role of cell phones in our lives and the increasing concern about an association between cell phone use and cancer, regulatory agencies should carry out more thorough investigations, and cell phone users should exercise caution and take steps to lower their exposure to cell phone radiation.

Monday, January 23, 2012

Cancer Causes and Prevention

Cancer is a very common affliction these days and kills millions every year across the globe. Depending on where the cancer appears, it may be simple to cure or even difficult to even treat, more or less eliminate. People often wonder out loud if there will every be a cure to cancer, but the problem we face is that there are many different types, but we do know what causes it and there are ways to at least reduce your chances of getting it.

There are really only two ways that cancer can exist. The first is through genetic mutation. Somehow or another from various possible sources, the DNA in a cell is damaged. This happens all the time, but where the damage takes place is the important thing. If it damages its ability to produce something, big deal. Just one less cell to do so. However, if it affects the cell's DNA which tells it to grow, it may start doing so with no limit. This is really what cancer is. These cells choke off others and consume large amount of resources, eventually killing the host.

Some people however seem to be born with a flaw in their DNA that makes some certain cancer almost inevitable. This is unfortunate as taking precautions may be almost pointless. Nonetheless, a cell starts dividing out of control and before long there are tons of these guys going haywire. The body normally fixes damage to DNA or kills rogue cells, but if one or more is able to escape certain destruction, it can start dividing such that the body cannot catch up.

Of course there are things that can be done to reduce your chances of cancer regardless of your genetic predisposition to it. Since your body is supposed to fix damage or kill messed up cells, even genetically disturbed cells produced naturally can theoretically be avoided. Of course there are a number of things that you should not do such as smoking, alcohol, and exposure to radiation. You should never tan and wear sunscreen while in the sun. Also avoiding harmful chemicals and fumes can be good as well. There are also things you should do such as eating a balanced diet high in fruits and vegetables, drinking plenty of water, and getting plenty of exercise.

When I was young I was stricken with an oligodendroglioma, a very uncommon cancer that probably could not have been avoided based on the age in which I got it. But fifteen years later I got another unrelated tumor from the radiation therapy I had from the first. I can tell you from experience that knowing the potential causes of cancer and how to reduce your chances is very good information to have, and would have been helpful to me to possibly avoid my second tumor altogether.

Sunday, January 22, 2012

What Are the Different Brain Tumor Types?

You may have heard of cancer but have no idea as to what are the different types of brain cancer. A tumor is very serious and dangerous to life. This type of cancer is essentially intracranial or inside the cranium. It is a solid neoplasm which is an abnormal growth of cells that is within the central spinal cord or within the brain.

Types of tumors are abnormal and sporadic cell division within the brain itself. They also affect the pituitary gland, the skull, the lymphatic tissue, the cranial nerves or the pineal gland. Brain cancer are commonly spread from cancerous cells in the body of a person suffering from cancer which are called as metastatic tumors.

Different types of brain cancer

There are two essential brain cancer types that can be treated; these are benign and malignant types. Some types of cancer begin in the brain and are called as primary tumors and those that are metastatic tumors are a result of some cancerous or disease causing cells spread from other parts of the body to the brain. brain cancer types vary even in the symptoms, some tumors are detected with visible symptoms while other show up only in an imaging scan or an autopsy.

Glioma brain cancer: The glial cells are the place from where this tumor originates in the brain or spine.

Meningioma brain cancer: Arising from meninges or the membranes encompassing the central nervous system, this brain cancer comes out in diverse forms. It is one of the most common primary tumors affecting individuals.

Pituitary adenoma brain cancer: Arising from the pituitary gland which is one of the significant parts of the cranium of the brain, this type of cancer can range from the smallest to as large at 10 mm in size. They are often detected only through brain scans or autopsies.

Nerve sheath brain cancer: Originating in the nervous system, this tumor is one of those types of cancer that are primarily made up of myelin around the nerves of the nervous system.

How can one treat brain tumor?

A neurosurgeon is often a person who can treat all brain tumor types. The most common treatment for tumors is to completely remove it in case it does not affect any immediate or serious part of the brain through surgery. Other treatments include radiation therapy where the brain tumor is treated with radiation waves. This will ensure that the brain tumor reduces in size or the cells within the tumor die in order to prevent the spread of the tumor. Gamma knife treatment is also a very effective way of treating all brain tumor types as the gamma knife machine cuts the brain tumor cells by isolating gamma waves on the brain tumor.

Chemotherapy is also a commonly used treatment for treating all brain tumor types.

Successfully recoveries from all brain tumor types are present all over the world, as neurosurgeons have managed to treat them in order to give people a second life with the most advanced technologies at hand.