My auntie (by marriage) was told she had a brain tumour 2 weeks ago after suffering blackouts & fits. She has been home for christmas and told to go back in 3 weeks for more tests/biopsies. Everybody is looking on the black side, even planning a trip to disneyland as they don't know how long she has left. Are all tumours cancerous or can you get non-cancerous ones?? I am really worried for her as my auntie on my mum's side was diagnosed with a tumour and died within a year. She left 2 young children and now my other auntie also has 3 young children and all thinking of what happened last time.
2006-12-28 02:27:18 · 16 answers · asked by Red Devil Girl 3 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Cancer
No, not all brain tumors are malignant. Most adult brain tumors are gliomas. So, I will focus my answer on that.
Many adult benign brain tumors eventually transform into malignant brain tumors. It is estimated that 85% of low grade gliomas eventually become glioblastoma.
Any tumor in the brain (benign or malignant) that keeps growing will eventually cause death. This is because there is only limited room for expansion in the skull. Intercranial pressure will push against other vital areas of the brain first causing seizures, blackouts, personality changes, vomiting, vision changes, logic failures and/or memory loss depending on the area affected.
Average survival times:
Stage 1 (rarely diagnosed in adults)
Stage 2 low grade glioma: 3-5 years or 5-7 years depending on subtype (astrocytoma or oligedenglioma)
Stage 3 anaplastic astrocytoma: 1-3 years
Stage 4 glioblastoma multiforme: 1 year
The stages indicate mainly indicate growth rate (mitosis) and amount of differentiation.
Other factors include overall health, age, amount of tumor resection and, identified genetic mutations.
An excellent yet very technical website:
http://www.brainlife.org/index.htm
I hope for the best for your aunt.
2006-12-28 03:10:23 · answer #1 · answered by oncogenomics 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Firstly, I'm really sorry to hear about your auntie, this must be a very difficult and worrying time for you and your family.
Not all brain tumours are malignant (cancerous) - naturally if the tests come back showing the tumour is benign (non-cancerous) that can only be a good thing. However, as the brain is such a sensitive organ, any growth in there can cause big problems, causing things like loss of signt or speech or paralysis etc.
Sometimes though, these things can be successfully operated on dependent on where in the brain the tumour is located and you are right, it doesn't help to always look on the black side. People can and do survive these things - I truly hope your auntie will come through this.
2006-12-28 02:38:47 · answer #2 · answered by justasiam29 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A brain tumour isn't always cancerous, in many cases it isn't, and even if it is, can be treated depending on the nature and the grading. The biopsy will determine whether it is benign or malignant, the type of tumour, and also the WHO grade, 1-4.
WHO grade 1 and benign tumours are less dangerous, WHO grades 2-4 more so.
Brain tumours are rather different from other cancers in that the damage they cause is due to local growth rather than spread to other organs, and the higher WHO grades indicate more aggressive local spread.
2006-12-28 09:23:28 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, they're are not. Some are malignant but also a great more are benign. Try to be positive and be there for your Auntie at this difficult time. It amazes me that we still have to wait SO long for test results in this day and age. If it isn't enough to have the diagnosis of a tumour given, then have to wait weeks over the Christmas holiday to see if it is malignant or not. It's cruel.
I wish your Auntie all the best and a healthy New Year.
2006-12-28 02:36:50 · answer #4 · answered by kizzy 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No not all brain tumours are not cancerous. Myself I had a brain tumour and I had a surgery 6 years ago. It was a meningioma (2 cm) and benin. And years in remission. As well you can look in my 360 I did a blog a brief about what I when thought. As well feel free to ask any questions I'll be glad to respond and helping you.
2006-12-28 04:58:00 · answer #5 · answered by Jo-Jo 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hello
A tumor is any growth of abnormal cells, or the uncontrolled growth of cells. These start in the brain, rather than spreading to the brain from another part of the body.
Not all tumors are cancerous. Tumors can be benign or malignant:
Benign tumors are not cancerous. Usually, benign tumors can be removed, and they seldom grow back. Cells from benign tumors do not spread to tissues around them or to other parts of the body.
Malignant tumors are cancerous.
Malignant tumors generally are more serious than benign tumors. They may be life-threatening. Malignant tumors often can be removed, but they can grow back. Cells from malignant tumors can invade and damage nearby tissues and organs.
For more on this subject check out the links provided.
Hope this helps
I hope that your family has a good holiday season.
2006-12-28 02:44:00 · answer #6 · answered by dymps 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Cancer is defined as the unnatural reproduction of cells which typically results in tumors, although it can cause other problems like leukemia which is cancer of the blood. Some tumors are referred to as 'benign' meaning that the cells are not dangerously cancerous and will not hinder the body's ability to function correctly, who's end result is usually death or serious physical impairment.
The bottom line is, not all tumors are malignant, which can be serious.
When cells rapidly, and unnaturally divide in the human body, there are all sorts of factors that determine whether or not they are 'bad' or have the potential to be. This is why your aunt is having more tests done.
2006-12-28 02:32:07 · answer #7 · answered by IRSmart 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
no not all brain tumours are cancerous thet wan't know until a biopsy is tested so don't worry not every body gets cancer even when another relative is shown to have it .
2006-12-28 02:41:50 · answer #8 · answered by sukito 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no blondie, they are not all deadly...my daughter had a brain tumor when she was only 10 years old....she was never sick a day in her life before then...she was rushed into emergency surgery and it was removed, now some part of her brain was removed that controlled some of her female hormones, but she pulled through and has totally recovered( still on medicine for life, but...) Doctors said she was born with it, and my mother also had a tumor removed in her 20's, it does run in the family(skips a generation)....Pray for your Aunt, and i believe that she may be fine....stay strong for her and the rest of your family - it will be a tough time....
2006-12-28 02:36:12 · answer #9 · answered by beachnut222000 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no they're not all cancerous. the biopsies will show whether they are or not. further tests will also show how big the tumour is and whether they are able to remove it. i wish you all the best of luck. x
2006-12-28 02:32:15 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋