A headache--even a severe one--on its own is seldom a symptom of meningioma or any other brain tumor. Other tumor locations can affect your sense of smell, vision, hearing or even the function of your pituitary gland. Brain tumor diagnosis is often incidental — that is, the doctor discovers a tumor on a CT or MRI while examining the individual for another reason such as a head injury or another neurologic problem. When a doctor diagnoses a meningioma, you will get further tests to find out how the tumor is likely to behave.
Based on these data, a neurosurgeon will recommend removing the tumor or just watching it to see if it grows. It can be shocking for someone to be diagnosed with a meningioma — especially a large one — but these tumors are usually benign. This means that the tumor cells are not likely to spread to other parts of the body. That said, meningiomas can quietly grow for years without causing any problems — and they can get surprisingly large. Malignant tumors are cancerous, and the cells can spread to other parts of the body.
Tumors can vary in size from a tiny nodule to a large mass, depending on the type, and they can appear almost anywhere on the body. Benign : These are not cancerous.
They either cannot spread or grow, or they do so very slowly. If a doctor removes them, they do not generally return. Premalignant : In these tumors, the cells are not yet cancerous, but they have the potential to become malignant. Malignant : Malignant tumors are cancerous. The cells can grow and spread to other parts of the body.
It is not always clear how a tumor will act in the future. Some benign tumors can become premalignant and then malignant. For this reason, it is best to monitor any growth. However, they can cause pain or other problems if they press against nerves or blood vessels or if they trigger the overproduction of hormones, as in the endocrine system. Adenomas develop in glandular epithelial tissue, which is the thin membrane that covers glands, organs, and other structures in the body.
Adenomas do not start as cancer. However, some can change and become adenocarcinomas, which are cancerous. Learn more about fibroadenomas of the breast here. Fibroids , or fibromas, are benign tumors that can grow on the fibrous or connective tissue of any organ. Some fibromas can cause symptoms and may need surgery. In rare cases, fibroids can change and become fibrosarcomas. These are cancerous.
Learn more about dermatofibromas. They are often present at birth and disappear during childhood. Hemangiomas do not usually need treatment, but laser surgery and other options are available if they do not go away. Find out more here about internal hemangiomas.
Cancer cells grow in the same manner. However, unlike the cells in benign tumors, cancerous cells can invade nearby tissue and spread to other parts of the body. Benign tumors are classified by where they grow. Lipomas , for example, grow from fat cells, while myomas grow from muscle. Different types of benign tumors are included below:. In many cases, benign tumors will be monitored carefully. Noncancerous moles or colon polyps, for example, can turn into cancer at a later time.
Some types of internal benign tumors may cause other problems. Uterine fibroids can cause pelvic pain and abnormal bleeding , and some internal tumors may restrict a blood vessel or cause pain by pressing on a nerve. Anyone can develop a benign tumor, including children, though adults are more likely to develop them with increasing age.
For example, if you have a benign brain tumor, you may experience headaches , vision trouble , and fuzzy memory. If the tumor is close to the skin or in an area of soft tissue such as the abdomen, the mass may be felt by touch. They can be removed if they are. Lipomas, for example, may be large enough to detect, but are generally soft, movable, and painless. Some skin discoloration may be evident in the case of benign tumors that appear on the skin, such as nevi. Anything that looks abnormal should be evaluated by a doctor.
Doctors use a variety of techniques to diagnose benign tumors. The key in diagnosis is determining if a tumor is benign or malignant. Only laboratory tests can determine this with certainty. Your doctor may begin by performing a physical examination and collecting your medical history. Thanks all! I am trying to stay positive and face "Stewart" head on and no, that is not my husband's name. I don't want to be political but as soon as I read this thread the name " Ted Cruz" came to mind.
Thanks for the laugh I didnt name mine but when I want to put things into perspective, when my girls are bikering or if my co-workers place too much emphasis on the small stuff I usually say "4. After a 4. You are so right Rosie, having cancer makes you look at everything through a new pair of eyes! By the way I hope you are coping better:. Jinnie, its getting better, I told my friends at work about your grocery list, its something that would happen to me also.
A day does not go by that I dont think about what is happening, I only escape the thought for a few moments when I am gardening and there is just so much gardening I can do.
I am getting closer to my first follow up visit, I am preparing for the many anxious moments that I will have to face come this February. I dont have the evergy I used to have and I want to do so much in one day and find that I am limited.
I have a great deal of stress at work, so I have pain on my right shoulder which radiates down my arm, I know is stress but now I think about other possibilities like metastatis to the lung, it seems that every pain I experience I relate it to my cancer.
Looking forward to learning meditation and applying it in my life to reduce the stress level. I am also working on my diet and learning how to eat better to have more energy I know that food can be medicine to the body. Hi Rosie, I am glad to hear that it's getting a little easier.
As you say it is very difficult to keep your thoughts in check, nights are normally the worst. I try very hard to deflect any negative thought with a positive.
In some ways that's a quicker fix. It does take some considerable time for your energy to return, it may never be quite the level it once was. It does get a lot better though! I understand your concern about any aches and pains, but maybe you should get some help with your shoulder.
As for meditating it will definately help with stress, I think you will benefit a lot from it, I have been using meditation for over ten years. Also, why not go for a massage, aromatherapy if possible, that may help to relieve your stress and also help the problem in your shoulder. Changing your diet is a good way forward, Nano has formatted a diet for Cancer which you may find helpful.
If you contact him on this site he will happily send it on to you. I have changed my diet drastically, even more so recently. I have written a guide to the science and rationale behind this kind of approach and also my own experiences following it during after I was first diagnosed as stage IV with bone lesions in 3 locations back in July I am happy to send you a copy if you are interested but it is 66 pages long. As such I need to send it via direct email.
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