Know More About Brain or spinal cord tumor in children
As the name suggests, in the cases of brain or spinal cord tumor, the cells present in the brain and spinal cord turn cancerous and lead to development of tumor. The brain is important for carrying out the most important functions of the body while the spinal cord connects the brain with major nerves of the body. These are a common type of the brain cancers occurring among children. The cause of formation of such cancers is still not completely known. When diagnosed at early stages, the disease can be cured but holds the chances of recurrence.
Causes
- The causes of brain and spinal cord tumors are still unknown. As per the researches, the modifications in the DNA of the cells could be one of the causes as it leads to the multiplication of cells and the formation of tumors in the body.
- Any kind of exposure to the radiations can lead to development of cancerous situations as well. Today, most radiation-induced brain tumors are caused by radiation given to the head to treat other cancers, such as leukemia.
- Also, the genetic conditions can be a reason for the development of brain or spinal cord tumors in children.
Signs and Symptoms
The signs and symptoms can be varied depending on the location of formation of the tumor, whether it is in brain or the spinal cord. The size if tumor and the intensity with which it is spreading aldo determines the issues that an individual will be facing. Lastly, the age of child and the immunity levels too play a great role in the development of the disease.
The brain and spinal cord tumors show signs and symptoms like
Brain tumor
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Morning headaches
- Headache that goes away after Vomiting
- Issues in hearing, speech, and vision
- Unusual changes in behavior
- Sleepiness or disturbed biological cycle
- Increased head size of infants
- Seizures
Spinal Cord
- Issues while urinating
- Changes in the bowel habits
- Back pain
- Weakness in legs
- Pain that spreads towards arms and legs
- Difficulty in walking
Diagnosis
Physical Examination
The primary method of diagnosing an individual comes through physical examination. The doctor checks and looks for general signs of positive health. It involves looking for anything unusual like lumps or any kind of swelling. Also, the doctor asks for issues that a person is facing and the medical history. Knowing about any previous illness helps in understanding the disease better and designing the course of its treatment.
Neurological Exams
The neurological exam involves questioning and performing tests to analyse the functioning of brain, nerves, and the spinal cord. It involves checking the cognitive abilities like walking, coordination, and overall mental status of an individual. The reflexes are checked along with functioning of muscles and the senses.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
This is an imaging technique which involves use of radio waves, magnet, and the computer to get in depth pictures of the spinal cord and the brain. To perform this test, a substance called galodinium is injected inside the body through a vein so that it collects around the cancer cells and they are seen clearly in a bright light.
Serum Tumor Marker Test
In this test, a sample of blood is taken to analyze the amounts of the substances that are released in blood by various organs, tumor cells, or the tissues. The increased levels of some substances related to cancer are termed tumor markers.
Biopsy
Generally, the specialist performs a biopsy to collect the sample of the cells for analysis but id there is suspected tumor, the doctor can remove it there and then only. A fine needle is guided with the help of a computer inside the affected area and the tumor is removed as safely as possible.
Immunohistochemistry
In this case, certain antibodies are used to determine the presence of the cancer antigens. The samlple collected is sent to laboratory where antibodies are injected that have affinity for certain enzymes. If the dye or the enzyme gets activated after the binding with an antigen, it leads to detection of presence of tumors.
The tests like biopsies or for that matter, the surgeries may not be efficient due to the location of the cancer cells. So, the prognosis of the disease is largely determined by the type of tumors in the body, location, size, and presence of any such cells after the surgery.
Side effects of such procedures
There could be several side effects of the treatments being advised for the cancer.
Surgery
It can lead to issues like vomiting and nausea along with pain and swelling around the affected area. There could be soreness, sleeplessness, and restlessness. There could be issues related to flatulence and constipation.
Chemotherapy
It can lead to issues of easy bleeding, bruising, vulnerability to infections, hair loss, tiredness, changes in appetite, constipation, and anemia as well.
Targeted Drug Therapy
It can lead to health issues like increased blood pressure, issues with blood clotting and wound healing, changes in nails and skin, mouth sores, skin problems like dry skin or rashes, and tiredness after the treatment.
Radiotherapy
Radiotherapy may lead to issues like skin changes, diarrhea, loss of hairs, feeling weak and tired most of the time, urinary and the bladder problems, difficulties in swallowing, shortness of breath, gum and mouth sores, or stiff joints and muscles.
Treatments
There are different cells in the spinal cord and the brain. The tumors formed can either be benign or malignant.
Surgery
A surgery can be performed by the neurospecialists to remove the tumor. It involves using certain fine medical equipment to reach out to the tumor and remove it. Certain other therapies like radiation therapy or chemotherapy can also be performed by the doctors.
Chemotherapy
As the name suggests, the combination of some drugs, dye, or medications is used to target the cancer cells and help destroy them. It can be administered through vein or in the form of pills or both as suggested by the doctors.
Radiation therapy
During a Radiation therapy, the doctor uses high energy beams like xrays or the protons to target the cancer cells and destroy them. During the procedure, the patient is made to lie on a platfrom and the machine containing radioactive materials is moved around the body. It reaches out to cancer cells in the body and helps in their destruction. Another method is that a small device is placed inside the body and it keeps on radiating the energy beams to kill the cancer cells.
Targeted Drug Therapy
As per this therapy, the abnormalities in the cancer cells are identified and aimed at. Through the administration of certain drugs or dyes, the cancer cells are targeted and destroyed completely.
Why opt for Ayurveda?
Ayurveda is a natural system of healing and an ancient form of medicine that holds its roots in India. There are several Ayurvedic herbs and natural extracts that are used for the treatment of a variety of the diseases and disorders. The best advantage that one receives using Ayurvedic medicines is that one does not have to face any side effects.
It helps in dealing with the tumors and aiming to curb the root cause of it. The herb like Ashawagandha offers multiple benefits to the body as it contains an essential element called curcumin that helps in limiting the growth of the tumor cells in the body. The herbal extracts of herbs like lichens, Angelica, and Juniperus are known to be effective against the brain tumor cell progression. The changes in diets are made and the individual is made to follow a Sattvic Ahaar diet that helps in curing the imbalances of doshas in the body.
The Ayurvedic treatments focus on restoring the body’s natural cycle and boosting the immunity. Other herbs like Guggul have also proved to be effective in such conditions and help to reduce the discomfort and pain. The Panchakarma therapies and the Ayurvedic herbs play an essential role in the treatment of various bodily disorders.