Brain Cancer Treatment Cost in South Africa

The term "brain cancer" describes the abnormal development of brain cells that result in a mass or tumor. It can interfere with normal brain functions such as speech, movement, thoughts, feelings, memory, vision, and hearing. It is a disease of the brain in which abnormal, cancerous cells grow in the brain tissues. Typically, brain cancer is a developed form of a brain tumor. Primary brain cancer or a brain tumor develops from cells within the brain.

However, all brain tumors are not brain cancer. But one thing to note is that even benign tumors can cause serious problems by increasing intracranial pressure or obstructing vascular structures or cerebrospinal fluid flow in the brain.

Different types of cells in the brain such as gliomas, meningiomas, pituitary adenomas, vestibular schwannomas, and primitive neuroectodermal (medulloblastomas) can become cancerous. Gliomas have several subtypes, which include astrocytomas, oligodendrogliomas, ependymomas, and choroid plexus papillomas.

Brain Cancer Causes

The exact brain cancer cause is still unknown. However, its occurrence has been linked to several risk factors, including the following:

• Exposure to radiation
• HIV infection
• Inherited abnormality
• Smoking
• Exposure to environmental toxins
• Exposure to chemical toxins, especially those used in the rubber industry and oil refinery

There are two types of brain cancer, including:

• Primary brain cancers: Primary brain cancers result when cancer cells develop in the tissues of the brain itself. Primary brain cancer cells may travel short distances within the brain but generally would not travel outside of the brain itself.
• Secondary brain cancers: Secondary brain cancer is called metastatic brain cancer. It occurs when cancer develops elsewhere in the body and spreads to the brain. Primary cancer tissues can spread via direct extension, or through the lymphatic system or the bloodstream.

Metastatic cancer in the brain is more common than primary brain cancer. They are usually named after the tissue or organ where cancer first develops. Metastatic lung or breast cancer in the brain is the most commonly found brain cancer.

Brain Cancer: Grades

Tumors of the brain are assigned under a grade, depending on how normal or abnormal the cells appear microscopically. Grade measurements will help your doctor plan the most suitable treatment for you.

• Grade 1: The cells look nearly normal and grow slowly. Long-term survival is likely.
• Grade 2: In this, the cell looks slightly abnormal and grows slowly. However, the tumor may spread to nearby tissue and can recur later.
• Grade 3: The malignant tissue has cells that look different from normal cells and these cells are actively growing and have a distinctly abnormal appearance.
• Grade 4: In this, the cell looks most abnormal and grows and spreads quickly.