Signs and Symptoms of Brain Cancer

You get a headache in the afternoon, take medicine to reduce the pain and think nothing of it. Suddenly a headache persists and you experience some nausea. These symptoms are fairly common in your average person, however mixed with other symptoms, they can potentially mean that there is a brain tumor. Although not all brain tumors are cancerous, it’s important to know the signs and symptoms so that in the event of such symptoms, you’ll know to consult a doctor at the earliest stages. Signs are a warning signal, and in the possibility of cancer, should be taken seriously.

Here are warning signs of a brain tumor and brain cancer:

• Headaches
• Seizures
• Clumsiness
• Weakness
• Speech and Communication Difficulty
• Blurred Vision
• Sleepiness

Let’s break them down.

Headaches

Now, if you have a headache you shouldn’t automatically assume you have brain cancer. However, if your headaches are frequent and severe, as well as combined with other symptoms, then you should consult a doctor.

Headaches are a common symptom with brain tumors and brain cancer. Although headaches are common in people without tumors, the frequency and intensity of your headaches could indicate that there is a brain tumor. Not all tumors are cancerous, but cancer can grow in brain tumors over time.

Seizures

Seizures can occur for a multitude of reasons, however one reason could be a tumor forming in the brain. If you have a seizure, you should go to the hospital for doctors to run tests.

Clumsiness

A lack of motor skills could be cause by the tumor affecting the part of the brain for motor function. Clumsiness, lack of balance, and the inability to coordinate movement are all signs a tumor may be affecting the cranial nerves.

Weakness/Numbness

There is a part of the brain that connects to your spinal chord and directs how your body moves. A loss of feeling in the face or other muscles, as well as a feeling of weakness could indicate that a tumor is forming on the brain stem. If you experience symptoms of weakness and tingling, along with other symptoms listed, you should consult a doctor right away.

Speech and Communication Difficulty

A brain tumor can affect your entire thinking process, how you communicate and even your memory. Big shifts in personality and behavior are recognizable signs of a tumor on the front part of your brain. It’s easy for a person with a tumor to forget things, experience confusion, and have a change in their behavior.  

Although a benign tumor is less serious than a malignant tumor, tumors come in all shapes and sizes– with the possibility to form on any cell in your brain. While many of these signs and symptoms could be from other causes that are less threatening, it’s important to know your body and seek a doctor’s opinion if there is any chance of brain cancer.

Risks of Plastic Surgery

Whatever your reasons are, if you’re considering plastic surgery, it is imperative that you discuss the risks with your surgeon before going under the knife. Make sure you have the opportunity to ask all of your questions and that you are fully aware of any potential complications before your surgery.

Although the chances of complications from plastic surgery are slim, any surgery involves an element of risk. The anesthesia administered to patients can come with its own set of risks, including blood clots, pneumonia and (very rarely) death. You should be in relatively good health before undergoing any kind of cosmetic procedure, so make sure you take the time to have an in-depth conversation with your surgeon so you can evaluate your risk and do everything you can to prepare for and recover from the surgery. Here are some of the risks you should be aware of:

• Nerve damage: Nerve damage, though rare, is a risk of many surgical procedures, ranging from a slight tingling or numbness following the surgery to total loss of feeling in the surgical area.
• Hematoma: A hematoma is a large pocket of blood that resembles a bruise. It is a relatively common complication of cosmetic procedures, occurring in one to six percent of breast augmentation procedures. It is the most common complication associated with facelifts.
• Infection: Infection at the surgical site is a risk of any surgery, and although postoperative procedures are designed to reduce the risk of infection, it is always a risk.
• Scarring: There is usually some amount of scarring with any surgery. The scar may fade over time to be nearly invisible, or it may linger, depending on the severity of the surgery. Breast augmentation carries a 2-5 percent risk of hypertrophic scarring, which is a red and thick raised scar.
• Blood clot: Although blood clots are very rare, they can also be very deadly if they break off and travel to the lungs or brain.
• Blood loss: Some amount of blood loss is expected with any surgery, but a complication involving uncontrollable blood loss or internal bleeding post-op could be deadly.
• Organ damage: Although uncommon if you go with an experienced surgeon, certain procedures can be traumatic for internal organs. Liposuction can put stress on organs and surgical tools could cause perforations or punctures.
• Disappointing results: Although less severe than any of the other complications, there is always the chance that, after investing a lot of money into your surgery, you will come away dissatisfied with your appearance.

The most important thing when undergoing plastic surgery is to have realistic expectations. Make sure you review the credentials of your surgeon and the facility where you will be having the surgery, and bring up any questions or concerns well in advance.

Making Radiation Therapy Less Scary for Kids Receiving Treatment

Cancer is a devastating and deadly disease claiming 7.6 million lives around the world each year and finding 12.7 million new victims diagnosed with the disease. The three words no one ever wants to hear in their lifetime are, “You have cancer.” It’s tragic enough when an older adult discovers they have cancer and will have to fight an uphill battle for their lives, but when a child with so many years ahead of them is diagnosed with cancer, it’s all the more devastating. Some children diagnosed with cancer are too young to even fully understand the disease, only knowing that it will involve pain and discomfort.

One of the most common forms of treatment, particularly in combination with other treatments, is radiation therapy. Radiation therapy is primarily used to treat localized cancers concentrated in a single area of the body. High-energy rays aimed from a machine target and destroy cancer cells while sparing as many healthy cells as possible.

The procedure can be frightening for anyone receiving the treatment due to the claustrophobic effect of the radiation machine and the need to remain absolutely still. It can be especially traumatic for children which is why many under the age of 15 receive anesthesia for their treatments. Researchers from the European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology may have discovered an effective alternative in the form of videos.

For the full blog, head on over to MichaelChinWorcester.com, and be sure to check out the video below.