Brain cancer
Brain Cancer
Brain cancer (pronunciation: /breɪn 'kænsər/) is a disease characterized by the abnormal growth of cells within the brain.
Etymology
The term "brain cancer" is derived from the Old English brægen, meaning "brain", and the Latin cancer, meaning "crab or creeping ulcer". The term "cancer" was used by the ancient Greeks to describe the disease due to the finger-like spreading projections from a cancer, resembling the shape of a crab.
Definition
Brain cancer is a type of neoplastic disease that arises from the brain tissue. It can be a primary brain cancer, originating in the brain itself, or a secondary brain cancer, resulting from metastatic spread of cancers located elsewhere in the body.
Symptoms
Symptoms of brain cancer can vary widely depending on the location and size of the tumor. Common symptoms include headache, nausea, vomiting, seizures, and neurological deficits such as aphasia, ataxia, and hemiparesis.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of brain cancer typically involves a combination of history taking, physical examination, neuroimaging studies such as MRI or CT scan, and often biopsy for histopathological confirmation.
Treatment
Treatment options for brain cancer include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and targeted therapies. The choice of treatment depends on the type, location, and stage of the cancer, as well as the patient's overall health status.
Prognosis
The prognosis of brain cancer varies widely depending on the type and stage of the cancer, the patient's age and overall health status, and the extent of disease at the time of diagnosis.
Related Terms
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Brain cancer
- Wikipedia's article - Brain cancer
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