BRAIN FAQS FOR PATIENTS IN NEW JERSEY & NEW YORK

Glioblastomas are the most common malignant tumor, known for their ability to grow rapidly and spread easily to the brain and central nervous system. While they generally affect Caucasian and Asian males over the age of 50, everyone should be aware of their symptoms. These usually include:

Seizures

Headaches

Nausea

Vomiting

Double or blurred vision

Trouble formulating or understanding speech

Memory loss

Behavioral and personality changes

There is a wide assortment of causes for headaches. Many people will experience headaches throughout their lifetime, but certain patterns can be tell-tale signs of a more serious, underlying problem.

You may need to seek out professional medical attention if your headaches:

• Worsen in severity or frequency
• Are present upon waking from sleep
• Are accompanied by nausea, vomiting or difficulty with speech
• Differentiate from your normal headaches
• Any sudden onset which may feel as the absolute most severe headache of your life should raise concern. We recommend that you contact your physician as soon as possible or visit the closest emergency room for immediate attention.

The symptoms of a cancerous brain tumor generally vary in severity due to the size of the growth and its location. Normal brain and bodily functions can be significantly damaged by brain cancer, making identification of the symptoms highly important. However, understand that not all brain tumors cause symptoms.

The most common signs of brain tumors include:

• Aggressive headaches
• Decreased coordination
• Seizures
• Dizziness
• Vomiting
• Abnormal vision
• Hearing impairment
• Speech difficulties
• Abnormal behavior
• Memory loss
• Lack of concentration
• Personality changes

One of the most perplexing topics surrounding brain tumors is their cause. Researchers around the globe continue to try answering this question. However, while causes and risk factors have been emphasized through the years, no definitive answer has been reached. Issues such as genetic conditions, family history and exposure to radiation have been presumed to cause brain cancer. While no clear answer exists, there’s no denying that brain tumors can appear unexpectedly and they should be treated promptly.

Glioblastoma multiforme is the most common malignant brain tumor, usually found in the cerebral hemisphere. They can also appear in other areas of the brain, brainstem and spinal cord. These tumors can occur at any age but tend to be more common in adults (mostly men) over the age of 50. Unfortunately, glioblastoma multiforme is known to grow and spread rapidly with ease. This makes your identification of its symptoms very important.

Brain tumors are commonly classified as benign or malignant. It’s important to understand that different types of tumors can produce unique symptoms depending on their location in the brain. Malignant tumors are generally considered to be more dangerous and tend to develop faster and more aggressively. Identifying a tumor’s symptoms is a key step in making treatment more successful.

It’s important to understand that the symptoms of a brain tumor, whether benign or malignant, can be shared with other conditions such as vertigo. The fact remains, your timelyidentification of these symptoms, regardless of the condition, is necessary for getting the most out of your treatment. Doing so can help in getting the best outcome out of your medical treatment. Some of the most common symptoms of brain tumors include:

• Personality changes
• Memory loss
• Speech difficulties
• Hearing impairment
• Vomiting
• Seizures
• Aggressive headaches
• Decreased coordination
• Problems with vision

A meningioma is a tumor that forms in the membranes (meninges) surrounding the brain and spine. These formations are generally considered benign, although a malignantmeningioma can form on rare occasions. This condition generally affects women but can also affect men of any age. The signs and symptoms of a meningioma are monitored closely upon discovery before medical treatment is decided.