A tumor can develop almost anywhere in the body – including the brain.
Anyone who recognizes the brain tumor quickly and consults an expert increases the chances of survival immensely.
Anyone who immediately thinks of a malignant tumor in the brain when they have a severe headache can be reassured.
In most cases, the symptoms are uncomfortable but not life-threatening, such as tension-type headaches, migraines, or cluster headaches.
Only very rarely are there serious causes behind headaches.
One of these is a brain tumor.
This is newly formed tissue in the brain.
The tumor can develop in different parts of the brain and can also vary in size.
Benign brain tumors usually grow slowly, as the German Cancer Research Center in the Helmholtz Association (dkfz) informs.
Malignant brain tumors, on the other hand, usually grow quickly and removing the tumor is also more difficult in this case because malignant cancerous growths often grow together with the surrounding tissue and do not have a sharp demarcation.
The
dkfz
provides information on which brain tumor symptoms should lead you to the doctor.
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Personality changes are one of the symptoms that can indicate a brain tumor.
© Vasily Pindyurin/Imago
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Brain tumor: So many people are affected
Brain tumors are among the rare types of cancer.
In 2018, around 7,200 people fell ill with a malignant brain tumor.
During the same period, about 60,630 people were diagnosed with colon cancer.
Brain tumors are usually diagnosed in older people.
The average age at diagnosis for women is 65 years, men get sick a little earlier at an average of 63 years, the dkfz further informs.
As with any type of cancer, the chances of recovery increase if the tumor is detected early.
Therefore, take all legally recommended early cancer detection measures and pay attention to physical changes.
If in doubt, always have this checked out by a doctor.
You can find out more about early cancer detection and which tests are covered by health insurance companies on the German Cancer Aid website
Cancer-causing viruses: These pathogens can cause cancer
The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) belongs to the group of herpes viruses.
According to the German Cancer Research Center (dkfz), it is certain that an infection with EBV can contribute to the development of B-cell lymphoma, a malignant disease of B-lymphocytes.
In medicine, lymphoma refers to malignant tumors of the lymphatic system.
The Epstein-Barr virus could also be detected in tumors of T-lymphocytes (T-cell lymphomas), according to the dkfz.
© Imago
The gastric bacterium Helicobacter pylori is said to carry the risk of promoting gastric cancer.
The piquant thing about it: About a quarter of the German population already has it.
Helicobacter is said to promote gastric ulcers, which can then progress to cancer.
However, treatment with a combination of antibiotics and gastric acid blockers is extremely successful in most cases.
© dpa
The red ribbon is intended to bring the issue of AIDS and HIV to the fore in society.
Infection with so-called HI viruses (human immunodeficiency viruses) can trigger the disease AIDS.
According to the German Cancer Research Center, people with AIDS are more likely to be affected by cancer, probably because of their weakened immune system.
©Oliver Berg/dpa
Hepatitis B promotes liver inflammation.
These can also develop into liver cancer.
However, you can get vaccinated against this type of hepatitis by your family doctor.
© Martin Wagner/Imago
Hepatitis C Viruses Unfortunately, there is (still) no vaccine against hepatitis C viruses.
Aggressive pathogens are among the most common causes of liver cancer.
As the German Cancer Research Center informs, hepatitis C viruses are now also associated with other types of tumors: Cancer of the bile ducts and multiple myeloma could also be promoted by an infection, it is said.
© CAVALLINI JAMES/Imago
HPV (human papilloma virus) Human papilloma viruses (HPV) are mostly harmless - but there are types that are carcinogenic and are said to trigger cervical cancer.
They are also suspected of promoting anal or penile cancer.
However, there is also a very effective vaccination that is supposed to help against all HPV types.
© CAVALLINI JAMES/Imago
Symptoms that can indicate a brain tumor
The
German Cancer Research Center
lists the following complaints as possible brain tumor symptoms:
New onset epileptic seizures
numbness or paralysis
dizziness
Sensory disturbances in seeing or hearing
New and changing headaches
nausea
Vomit
Loss of consciousness: People are disoriented or dizzy
difficulty concentrating
Personality changes: Individuals are more irritable or get frustrated faster than usual
This article only contains general information on the respective health topic and is therefore not intended for self-diagnosis, treatment or medication. In no way does it replace a visit to the doctor. Unfortunately, our editors are not allowed to answer individual questions about clinical pictures.
Rubric list image: © Vasily Pindyurin/Imago
