BRAIN TUMOR     “Cancer victims who don't accept their fate,

who don't learn to live with it, will only destroy what little time they have left.”

“Time is shortening. But every day that I challenge this cancer and survive is a victory for me.”

Ingrid Bergman August 29, 1915 – August 29, 1982

WHAT IS A BRAIN TUMOR? Brain tumors are abnormal growths of tissue

found inside the skull. which can be cancerous or non-cancerous.

Brain tumors can be benign or malignant: Benign brain tumors do not contain cancer

cells. Malignant brain tumors contain cancer cells. Doctors sometimes group brain tumors by grade - from low grade (grade I) to high grade (grade IV).

Primary Brain Tumors. The most common primary brain tumors are gliomas.

Secondary Brain Tumors.

POPULATION WITH BRAIN TUMORS:

Brain tumors are the second leading cause of cancer related deaths in males ages 20-39

Brain tumors are the fifth leading cause of cancer-related deaths in women ages 20-39

Lifetime Risk: Males have a 0.66% lifetime risk of being

diagnosed with a primary malignant brain tumor and a 0.50% chance of dying from a brain tumor.

Females have a 0.54% lifetime risk of being diagnosed with a primary malignant brain tumor and a 0.41% chance of dying from a brain tumor.

percentages of people who died from brain cancer 2005.

Race/Ethnicity Men Women

All Races 6.3 per 100,000 men

3.2 per 100,000 women

Caucasian 5.6 per 100,000 men

2.8 per 100,000 women

African American 12.8 per 100,000 men

6.3 per 100,000 women

Asian/Pacific Islander

11.2 per 100,000 men

6.8 per 100,000 women

American Indian/Alaska Native

7.3 per 100,000 men

4.1 per 100,000 women

Hispanic 9.5 per 100,000 men

5.3 per 100,000 women

TREATMENTS Patients may be treated with surgery: radiation therapy chemotherapy. Some patients receive a combination of

treatments. Surgery is the usual treatment for most brain

tumors. Sometimes surgery is not possible. To protect the healthy tissue around the brain

tumor: Fractionation. Hyperfractionation. Stereotactic radiation therapy.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS headaches nausea or vomiting seizures or convulsions difficulty thinking, speaking, or finding words personality changes weakness or paralysis in one part or one side

of the body Infertility or abnormal cessation of

menstruation loss of balance vision changes confusion and disorientation memory loss Hearing loss with or without dizziness

BRAIN TUMOR PREVENTION

The only risk factor that's been proven to increase the risk of brain tumors is exposure to high-dose ionizing radiation.

Persons who have been previously treated with radiation

To avoid the use of alcohol and smoking.

To limit consumption of processed meats which tend to have high levels of nitrates.

People who have been in close proximity to a nuclear blast.

Healthy lifestyle

WHAT CAN WE LEARN ABOUT BRAIN TUMORS? To appreciate the senses we have. To value the time we spent with the

people we love. We can also learn that the brain is

possibly the most important organ in our body.