Brain cancer is a tumor or tumors that form in the brain itself. Most brain tumors have spread to the brain from other affected parts of the body (such as breast or lung) by the blood-stream. Only a small percentage of cases of brain cancer from the brain.

In its early stages, brain cancer often produces no symptoms, or it shows symptoms mistaken for daily headaches. As a result, the conditions are often quite advanced before it is detected. Brain cancer is a very serious condition that can cause extensive neurological damage or death.

The exact causes of brain cancer are unknown, but heredity is suspected to play a role in its development.

Signs and symptoms

Brain cancer is usually asymptomatic until the tumor reaches a certain size. At this point, the symptoms include:

• Persistent headaches
• Vomiting
• General weakness or localized weakness in arms or legs
• Loss of coordination
• Dizziness
• Personality changes
• Memory loss of mental abilities, including memory
• Double vision or loss of vision
• Dizziness
• Conventional medical treatment

If you suspect that you have a brain tumor, see a physician immediately. A CAT scan or MRI of the head can usually having a tumor and pinpoint its location. If a tumor is located, the physician can take a CAT scan of the chest and abdomen to make sure the cancer has not affected other areas of the body. If the inflammation is localized and is situated in an area where removal is possible (on the outer surface of the brain, for example), surgery can be performed. However, some tumors, especially those located deep within the brain tissue can not be operated on. In these cases, radiation and chemotherapy used to destroy cancer cells. (See the "conventional treatment" to "Bladder Cancer" entry for more information about radiation and chemotherapy.)

Complementary and alternative treatments

Traditional Chinese Medicine

Acupressure by pressing on certain acupressure points along meridians of the body, a practitioner can help to reduce cancer-related pain and headaches.

Herbal Therapy Traditional Chinese medicine considers any type of tumor formation is the result of stagnant blood, so a practitioner may recommend a formula to stimulate blood flow and strengthen the immune system, such as ginseng and astragals formula. In cases of brain cancer, a Chinese herbalist may prescribe a formula called three yellows.

You may be interested Cancer Treatment and Brain Cancer Treatment. Also visit more on Yoga for Cancer

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