cerebrum cancer

Understanding Cerebrum Cancer

The cerebrum, which is the main part of the brain, can be affected by various types of cancers. These tumors in the cerebrum might cause different symptoms depending on their location and type.

• Types of Cerebrum Tumors: The most common types of brain cancer that occur in the cerebrum are astrocytomas. These tumors start in a specific type of star-shaped cell called an astrocyte.
• Symptoms: Symptoms can vary depending on the location and size of the tumor, but they may include headaches, seizures, difficulty thinking or speaking, changes in personality or behavior, weakness, numbness, or loss of movement.
• Causes: The exact cause of cerebrum cancer is not always known, but it's believed to be related to genetic mutations that occur over time. Certain factors like radiation exposure and some chemicals have been linked to an increased risk of developing brain tumors.

Key Points

• Cerebrum cancer can be a noncancerous (benign) or cancerous (malignant) growth in the brain.
• Astrocytomas are the most common type of brain cancer that occurs in the cerebrum.
• Symptoms may include headaches, seizures, difficulty thinking or speaking, changes in personality or behavior, weakness, numbness, or loss of movement.

References

1. The main part of the brain is called the cerebrum. Brain tumors in different parts of the cerebrum might cause different symptoms. [1]
2. They may occur in many parts of the brain, but most commonly in the cerebrum. People of all ages can develop astrocytomas, but they are more prevalent in adults — particularly middle-aged men. [2]
3. Understanding Brain Tumours, Cancer Council Australia (2022) [3]

Common Signs and Symptoms of Cerebrum Cancer

Cerebrum cancer, also known as brain cancer, can cause a wide range of symptoms depending on the location, size, and type of tumor. Here are some common signs and symptoms:

• Headaches: These are often the first symptom of a brain metastasis or a primary brain tumor (1). Headaches can be severe and may worsen over time.
• Seizures: Seizures can occur suddenly and without warning, causing loss of consciousness, convulsions, or changes in behavior (5).
• Vision problems: Changes in vision, such as blurred vision, double vision, or loss of vision, can occur due to the tumor's location in the brain (6).
• Difficulty speaking or finding words: Language processing areas in the brain can be affected by tumors, leading to difficulty speaking, finding words, or understanding language (5).
• Memory loss and confusion: Tumors in the parietal lobe can cause memory loss, confusion, and changes in behavior (3).
• Personality changes: Changes in personality, mood swings, or emotional instability can occur due to tumor growth in various parts of the brain (7).
• Weakness or numbness: Weakness or numbness in the face, arm, or leg can occur if the tumor affects motor control areas in the brain (6).

Other Possible Symptoms

In addition to these common symptoms, cerebrum cancer can also cause:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Changes in appetite or sleep patterns
• Emotional changes, such as anxiety or depression
• Abnormal movements or coordination problems

Important Note

It's essential to seek medical attention immediately if you experience any of these symptoms. Early detection and treatment can improve outcomes for cerebrum cancer patients.

References:

[1] Cancer.Net (2023) - Brain Tumor Symptoms [Context #1] [2] Johns Hopkins Medicine (2023) - Common Warning Signs of Brain Cancer [Context #15] [3] American Association of Neurological Surgeons (2023) - Parietal Lobe Function and Disorders [Context #3] [4] National Institute on Aging (2023) - Early Signs of Dementia [Context #14] [5] American Brain Tumor Association (2023) - Symptoms of a Brain Metastasis [Context #11] [6] Mayo Clinic (2023) - Brain Cancer Symptoms and Signs [Context #6] [7] National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (2023) - Brain Tumors [Context #7]

Diagnostic Tests for Cerebrum Cancer

Cerebrum cancer, also known as brain cancer, can be diagnosed using various tests and imaging techniques. Here are some of the diagnostic tests used to diagnose cerebrum cancer:

• Physical exam and history: A physical exam is performed to check general signs of health, including checking for signs of disease, such as lumps or anything else that seems unusual. A history of the patient's health habits and medical conditions is also taken [4].
• Imaging tests: Imaging tests are used to visualize the brain and detect any abnormalities. These tests include:
  • CT (computed tomography) scans: This test uses X-rays to create detailed images of the brain [8].
  • MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scans: This test uses magnetic fields and radio waves to create detailed images of the brain [9].
  • Angiogram: This test is used to visualize the blood vessels in the brain [3].
• Blood tests: Blood tests may be done to check for any abnormalities in the blood that could indicate cancer [7].
• Lumbar puncture (spinal tap): This test is used mainly to look for cancer cells in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), the liquid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord [1].

Other tests

In addition to these tests, other diagnostic tools may be used to confirm a diagnosis of cerebrum cancer. These include:

• Positron emission tomography (PET) scan: This test uses a small amount of radioactive material to create detailed images of the brain [12].
• Electroencephalogram (EEG): This test measures the electrical activity in the brain [12].
• Biopsy: A biopsy is a procedure where a tissue sample is taken from the brain to confirm a diagnosis of cancer [14].

Staging and prognosis

While cerebrum cancer does not have stages like other types of cancer, imaging tests can help determine the size and location of the tumor. This information is used to understand the patient's prognosis and plan treatment [10].

Treatment Options for Cerebrum Cancer

Cerebrum cancer, also known as brain cancer, can be treated with various drug therapies, depending on the type and stage of the disease.

• Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy is a common treatment option for cerebrum cancer. It involves using medications to kill cancer cells or stop them from dividing. Common chemotherapy drugs used in treating brain tumors include temozolomide (Temodar or TMZ), procarbazine, lomustine, and vincristine (PCV) [2].
• Targeted Therapy: Targeted therapy is a treatment that uses medicines to attack specific chemicals in cancer cells. This type of therapy can be effective for certain types of brain cancers, such as gliomas with IDH mutations [3-6]. The FDA-approved targeted therapy drug vorasidenib has shown positive results in delaying progression of low-grade gliomas with IDH mutations [4-7].
• Combination Therapy: Treatment for cerebrum cancer often involves a combination of therapies, including surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or targeted therapy. This personalized approach is tailored to the individual patient's needs and can improve treatment outcomes [15].

Medications Used in Cerebrum Cancer Treatment

Some medications commonly used in treating cerebrum cancer include:

• Temozolomide (Temodar or TMZ)
• Procarbazine, lomustine, and vincristine (PCV)
• Vorasidenib (targeted therapy for IDH-mutated gliomas)

References

[1] Context result 2: Common chemotherapy drugs for brain tumours are a drug called temozolomide. And a combination of drugs called procarbazine, lomustine and vincristine (PCV).

[2] Context result 9: A number of different chemotherapies are approved for use in brain tumors: Temozolomide (or Temodar or TMZ): An oral chemo drug most often prescribed to...

[3] Context result 13: Targeted therapy for cancer is a treatment that uses medicines that attack specific chemicals in the cancer cells.

[4] Context result 5: May 16, 2024 — The first drug, vorasidenib, would become the first FDA-approved targeted therapy for isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH)-mutated grade 2 glioma.

[5] Context result 6: Aug 7, 2024 — The drug, called vorasidenib, is a targeted cancer therapy that works by inhibiting the activity of a mutated gene called IDH, slowing the...

[6] Context result 7: Aug 6, 2024 — The drug, vorasidenib, was shown in clinical trials to delay progression of low-grade gliomas that had mutations in the IDH1 or IDH2 genes.

[15] Context result 15: "The treatment of brain tumor is a combination of first, the diagnosis, second, a multidisciplinary discussion," says Dr. Quiñones-Hinojosa.

The differential diagnosis of cerebrum cancer involves identifying and ruling out other possible causes of symptoms that may mimic those of a brain tumor. Here are some key points to consider:

• Imaging features: A wedge-shaped cortical lesion, involving both gray and white-matter, presenting with an acute neurologic deficit is probably an ischemic infarction [1]. Multiple cortical/subcortical round nodular enhancing lesions are likely metastatic [2].
• Clinical presentation: The clinical presentation of a patient can also help narrow down the differential diagnosis. For example, a patient presenting with seizures and focal neurological deficits may have a brain tumor, while a patient presenting with fever and headache may have an infectious or inflammatory cause.
• MRI findings: MRI findings such as contrast enhancement, edema, and mass effect can also be used to differentiate between various types of cerebrum cancer [5].
• Tumor-like brain lesions: Tumor-like brain lesions are defined as lesions that measure more than 2 cm in size on MRI, potentially causing edema and mass effect [4]. These lesions can be caused by a variety of conditions including neoplastic, inflammatory, infective, and vascular lesions.
• Differential diagnoses: The differential diagnosis for cerebrum cancer includes:
  • Neoplastic: primary brain tumors such as glioblastoma, metastatic tumors from other cancers
  • Inflammatory: encephalitis, abscesses
  • Infective: meningitis, orbital optic neuritis
  • Vascular: stroke, subdural hematoma [6]
• Imaging techniques: Advanced MRI techniques such as Diffusion-Weighted Imaging (DWI), Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) and Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced MRI can be used to assess brain tumor grading and differentiation [10].

It's worth noting that the differential diagnosis of cerebrum cancer is a complex process that requires careful consideration of clinical presentation, imaging features, and laboratory results.

References:

[1] Context 1 [2] Context 2 [4] Context 4 [5] Context 5 [6] Context 6