Four Facts You Need to Know About Brain Cancer
Brain cancer is one of the most debilitating conditions on the planet. Affecting an estimated 700,000 Americans, the condition has no cure and is often associated with poor negative outcomes, especially when diagnosed late.
The main treatment options for brain cancer are surgery, chemotherapy and radiation, and the treatments tend to be more effective if the tumor is spotted and addressed in the early stages. Overall, brain tumors terrify most people because they can grow right under your nose and are often diagnosed when it is too late.
RUSH chief of Medical Neuro-Oncology Seam Grimm, MD, recently discussed some of the most crucial things to know about brain tumors.
For starters, headaches don’t always manifest as the main symptoms. Grimm noted that while daily headaches that worsen over time can point to a brain tumor, they are just one of many symptoms. Grimm said that people with brain tumors may also experience tumor symptoms such as confusion, seizures, personality changes, vomiting, trouble with walking, weakness on one side of the body, and problems with speech, hearing, and vision. Furthermore, some patients may experience these symptoms without having any headaches.
Grimm advised patients who are worried about experiencing such symptoms to visit a general neurologist or doctor.
Second, Grimm said that despite what popular culture may say, cell phones do not cause brain cancer. With more than 80% of American households said to own a smartphone, there have been fears that consistent cell phone use can result in brain cancer. However, current evidence shows that cell phone use has no association with brain cancer, Grimm said, stating that cell phones have never been associated with an increased risk of developing brain cancer.
Thirdly, brain cancer outcomes have become much more positive these days than they used to be. More people with brain cancer are surviving and living for years after their diagnosis, Grimm said, noting that there has been a marked improvement in five-year survival rates for patients with cancerous tumors.
This is mainly due to improvements in brain cancer care, Grimm said, rather than advances in specific brain cancer treatments. Grimm also noted that the survival rates for patients with the same kind of brain cancer are not consistent, with some patients living for less than 12 months after diagnosis and others living for years. He said that this may be due to molecular differences between tumors of the same type.
Sending tissues for molecular testing from tumors has allowed the researchers at RUSH to use additional treatment options when treating cancer.
Finally, Grimm said that having the right kind of support can play a major role in recovery. On top of surgery, radiation and chemotherapy, Grimm said that providing supportive care to brain cancer patients can significantly aid in their recovery. Therapeutics from entities such as CNS Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ: CNSP) play a major role in arresting the cancer, but social support is equally important.
NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to CNS Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ: CNSP) are available in the company’s newsroom at https://ibn.fm/CNSP
Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the BioMedWire website applicable to all content provided by BMW, wherever published or re-published: http://BMW.fm/Disclaimer
Brain cancer is one of the most debilitating conditions on the planet. Affecting an estimated 700,000 Americans, the condition has no cure and is often associated with poor negative outcomes, especially when diagnosed late.
The main treatment options for brain cancer are surgery, chemotherapy and radiation, and the treatments tend to be more effective if the tumor is spotted and addressed in the early stages. Overall, brain tumors terrify most people because they can grow right under your nose and are often diagnosed when it is too late.
RUSH chief of Medical Neuro-Oncology Seam Grimm, MD, recently discussed some of the most crucial things to know about brain tumors.
For starters, headaches don’t always manifest as the main symptoms. Grimm noted that while daily headaches that worsen over time can point to a brain tumor, they are just one of many symptoms. Grimm said that people with brain tumors may also experience tumor symptoms such as confusion, seizures, personality changes, vomiting, trouble with walking, weakness on one side of the body, and problems with speech, hearing, and vision. Furthermore, some patients may experience these symptoms without having any headaches.
Grimm advised patients who are worried about experiencing such symptoms to visit a general neurologist or doctor.
Second, Grimm said that despite what popular culture may say, cell phones do not cause brain cancer. With more than 80% of American households said to own a smartphone, there have been fears that consistent cell phone use can result in brain cancer. However, current evidence shows that cell phone use has no association with brain cancer, Grimm said, stating that cell phones have never been associated with an increased risk of developing brain cancer.
Thirdly, brain cancer outcomes have become much more positive these days than they used to be. More people with brain cancer are surviving and living for years after their diagnosis, Grimm said, noting that there has been a marked improvement in five-year survival rates for patients with cancerous tumors.
This is mainly due to improvements in brain cancer care, Grimm said, rather than advances in specific brain cancer treatments. Grimm also noted that the survival rates for patients with the same kind of brain cancer are not consistent, with some patients living for less than 12 months after diagnosis and others living for years. He said that this may be due to molecular differences between tumors of the same type.
Sending tissues for molecular testing from tumors has allowed the researchers at RUSH to use additional treatment options when treating cancer.
Finally, Grimm said that having the right kind of support can play a major role in recovery. On top of surgery, radiation and chemotherapy, Grimm said that providing supportive care to brain cancer patients can significantly aid in their recovery. Therapeutics from entities such as CNS Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ: CNSP) play a major role in arresting the cancer, but social support is equally important.
NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to CNS Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ: CNSP) are available in the company’s newsroom at https://ibn.fm/CNSP
Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the BioMedWire website applicable to all content provided by BMW, wherever published or re-published: http://BMW.fm/Disclaimer
