This question does not have only one answer, because it can vary depending on the tumor. The time it takes for a brain tumor to develop, from its inception until the patient begins to exhibit symptoms, can vary depending on the aggressiveness of the tumor. In the following article we will expand on this topic.
The more aggressive a tumor is, the faster it grows. Generally speaking, a brain tumor can take several months or even years to develop. Glioblastomas are the most common and aggressive brain cancer. Their ability to grow undetected by the immune system makes them one of our primary examples.
But before explaining the effects of glioblastomas in more detail, we should first define the term glioma. This term is used to refer to primary tumors, that is, those that grow the brain tissue itself. It is estimated that 33% of brain tumors are gliomas.
Most common brain tumors
There are two possible scenarios when talking about a brain tumor. When they start in the brain, we are talking about a primary brain tumor. When it begins in another part of the body and spreads to the brain, it is referred to as a metastatic or secondary brain tumor.
Gliomas are considered to be one of the most common primary brain tumors. Depending on the size and where it is located, a glioma can affect brain function and have a fairly high level of risk. Types of gliomas include the following: astrocytomas, ependymomas, oligodendrogliomas.
These types of tumors are most common in adults between the ages of 45 and 65, but can occur in other age groups as well. There are cases of brain tumors such as ependymomas and pilocytic astrocytomas that have been diagnosed in children and young adults.
Types of malignant brain tumors
Scientists have discovered that a glioblastoma generates a biochemical and molecular alteration that causes it to be resistant to chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Its highly invasive capacity and tendency for uncontrolled growth makes it an especially difficult tumor to treat.
But how does this tumor manage to bypass the body's defense system and grow without anything stopping it? The latest scientific discovery may be a key contribution to help slow the progression of this brain cancer. It turns out that the glioblastoma hijacks the cells that surround the blood vessels of the brain, which are also part of the barrier that protects it.
In this way, it deactivates the antitumor function of these cells, known as pericytes, and forces them to assist in the development and expansion of the tumor. Therefore, pericytes cease to be defensive cells, becoming invading enemies instead. Although the development of glioblastomas has been studied for decades, the available treatments, unfortunately, have not yet achieved a significant increase in patient survival.
The following are some other types of malignant brain tumors:
- Low-grade and anaplastic astrocytoma: astrocytomas are less aggressive tumors, so they usually grow slowly and do not pose an immediate risk; while anaplastic ones are much more aggressive and grow more quickly. Astrocytoma is a type of cancer that forms in cells called astrocytes, which support neurons.
- Anaplastic oligodendroglioma: this is a primary tumor of the central nervous system. It can appear in both the brain and spinal cord. It is very aggressive, so its growth is rapid, and in addition, it can quickly spread to other areas of the central nervous system.
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Symptoms and diagnosis
To understand how a brain tumor is detected, you must keep in mind that it involves more than just evaluating the symptoms experienced by the patient. The doctor will need to perform a clinical examination in order to diagnose with certainty. This examination aims to identify any neurological signs.
For example, during the examination the doctor might discover that the patient does not raise the right arm in the same way as the left, that the left leg is slower than the right or that, or that there is an asymmetry in facial expression. In addition, the doctor can use an ophthalmoscope to examine the patient's retina, and if the pupil appears swollen, it is a sign that there is compression in the brain.
These kinds of findings, along with symptoms such as unusual headaches and nausea, seizures, or weakness in the arm and leg on the same side of the body, can bring the specialist closer to a diagnosis. The next step will be to subject the patient to a final series of tests that are very accurate in detecting brain tumors:
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
- CT scan
- Spectroscopy
These malignant tumors are categorized in grades, which basically inform the doctor about the severity of the patient's condition. The grade describes the growth or progression of the tumor, which as we mentioned earlier, will depend a lot on how aggressive it is. The specialist will need to determine the tumor grade to help the patient decide which type of treatment is most appropriate.
When it comes to an astrocytoma, for example, the doctor will refer to a specific grade that can be between 1 and 4, which indicates the tumor’s ability to spread, infiltrate and destroy healthy tissue.
At this time, it is important for the patient ask any questions they have. Some of the questions you can ask and expect your doctor to answer are:
- Could you explain to me what the tumor grade means in my specific case?
- What are the next steps?
More information about brain tumor symptoms
Treatment options
There are several ways to treat a tumor, divided into two specific groups: local or systemic treatments. When we talk about a treatment that does not affect the rest of the body, such as surgery or radiotherapy, then we are talking about a local treatment. However, a type of treatment that can reach cancer cells anywhere in the body, such as chemotherapy, would be a systemic treatment.
The specialist will choose the treatment plan that best suits your case and this will depend on factors such as:
- The location of the tumor
- The stage the tumor is at
- The age of the patient
- Other problems the patient might have
- The degree to which the treatments are likely to cure the tumor or be helpful
- How the treatment may affect the patient's speech, breathing, or if it will affect their ability to eat
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Categories: Brain treatments, Brain pathologies, Surgery