A brain tumor is the term used to describe abnormal cellular growth within a brain that can either be cancerous or non-cancerous. This can defined as any intracranial tumor that is created by uncontrolled cellular division within the brain, itself, (involving glial cells, neurons or blood vessels, in brain envelopes (meninges, skull pineal and pituitary glands) or by the spreading of cancer located in other organs (such as metastatic tumors).
“True” brain tumors (primary tumors) will usually be located in the posterior cranial fossa (in children) and in the anterior two thirds of the cerebral hemispheres (in adults) – but any part of the brain can be affected.
In 2005, it was estimated that, in the United States, there were 43,800 new brain tumor cases which accounted for 1.4% of all cancers reported, 2.4% of all cancer deaths and 20-25% of all pediatric cancers. It’s estimated that 13,000 fatalities, in the United States, are attributed to brain tumors annually. These estimates have been provided by the Central Brain Tumor Registry of the United States, “Primary Brain Tumors in the United States”, Statistical Report for 2005-2006.
Symptoms of brain tumors can depend on 2 factors: tumor size (volume) and the tumor location. The time point of symptom onset, in the course of disease, will correlate, in many cases with the essential nature of the tumor (“benign”, or. slow-growing – late symptom onset, or malignant, fast growing – early symptom onset) and is the usual reason for seeking medical attention in most brain tumor cases.
Large brain tumors or brain tumors with extensive swelling (edema) will inevitably lead to high intracranial pressure (intracranial hypertension) which will present as headaches, altered consciousness (coma, for example), vomiting and pupil dilation on the side of the head where the tumor is located. Even smaller tumors, which obstruct the passage of cerebrospinal fluid, may bring about early signs of intracranial hypertension. This condition may also result in herniation of certain parts of the brain (such as temporal uncus and cerebellar tonsils) that can cause brainstem compression – which, in some cases, may be lethal. In children, the elevated intracranial pressure may bring about an increased skull diameter and bulging of the fontanelles.
Please note that this article is for informational purposes only and is not intended as legal advice.
Brain tumors can be extremely serious and may involve extensive, debilitating medical treatment. For further information, contact Social Security disability lawyer Gerard Lynch, regarding SSI/SSD claims in Lufkin, Texas.