Brain cancers are one of the deadliest cancers that can affect man. It is described as an abnormal and uncontrolled growth of cells within the brain, or in the areas surrounding it including the spinal column. Brain cancer makes up 2.4% of the total number of deaths from cancers.
In 2005 alone, about 43,000 people have been diagnosed with brain cancer in the United States. Statistics currently show that about 13,000 people die every year from this disease.
Brain cancers have several stages of development. Each stage of development is characterized by different abnormal cell growth in the brain. Each stage manifests differently as well.
The grading or stage of a cancer is oftentimes determined through a biopsy. The pathologist removes a part of brain tissue and examines it under the microscope to discern the cells’ development and how the cancer has spread to nearby tissues. However, biopsy is not the sole method for diagnosing and grading brain cancer because there are other ways as well.
Other methods of grading brain cancer include the following:
- Lumbar puncture or lumbar tap is used by doctors to test the cerebrospinal liquid or the liquid that the brain is immersed in. In this test, a needle is inserted between the bones of the spinal column and into the sack holding the spinal column. This allows a pathologist to check for cancer cells in the fluid.
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging scans
- X-ray
- Computed tomography or CT scans
The X-ray and CT scans are intended to check for presence of cancer in the body, if the brain cancer is a metastasis. Often times, doctors prefer MRI scans because of the greater amount of detail that it delivers. MRI scans, therefore, make it easier to spot abnormalities in the brain cells as compared to the CT scan.
These diagnostic methods can be used in conjunction with biopsy, in order for the doctor to arrive at a clearer picture and diagnosis. Sometimes biopsy is impossible when the tumor is found deep within the brain, thus these alternative diagnostic procedures are called for.
Stage I Cancer
In this stage, the cancer cells look normal. They can barely be seen through the microscope, but they are there. At this early stage, the cells rarely multiply and spread to other tissues. Treatment to cancer at this stage is most successful. The cells maybe removed through surgery.
Stage II Cancer
At this stage, the cancer cells register slow growth and may start to spread into neighboring cells. They are still treatable, however, but they also have the possibility of developing into a higher stage and aggressive cancer.
Stage III Cancer
This stage is marked by speedy and aggressive growth and development of the cancer cells. At this point, they are now distinctive when viewed through the microscope, and can be differentiated from the normal, non-cancer cells. Spreading to other tissue may also be possible.
Stage IV Cancer
The last and most extreme stage of brain cancer, stage IV brain cancer cells grow aggressively and spreads itself to other tissue. Treatment is generally difficult at this point, but may be successful.
