Hearing that an older family member has a brain tumor can be frightening. You may wonder what will happen and if they will die. The answer can lie in where the tumor is in the brain, how large it is, and also what kind of tumor they have. There are many kinds of brain tumors. Some of them are cancerous and some are not. In general, doctors divide brain tumors into main groups: tumors that start in the brain and tumors that have spread from other parts of the body.
Tumors that Begin in the Brain
Tumors that originate in the brain are also called primary tumors. Primary tumors also include tumors that start in structures near the brain, such as the cranial nerves, meninges, pituitary gland, or pineal gland. They start when normal cells develop mutations in their DNA that cause them to grow out of control and live longer than they should.
There are many kinds of primary tumors. They are named according to the kinds of cells they form in. Some types of primary tumors are:
- Gliomas: These start in the brain or spinal cord.
- Acoustic Neuromas: These are non-cancerous, or benign, tumors. They form on the nerves that connect from the inner ear to the brain and control the sense of balance.
- Meningiomas: A meningioma starts in the meninges, which is the membrane that covers and protects the brain and spinal cord.
Tumors that Start Elsewhere
Doctors call tumors that spread from other parts of the body into the brain secondary tumors. They happen when other kinds of cancer metastasize to the brain. They are most common in people who have been diagnosed with cancer but are sometimes the first sign of cancer that started somewhere else. Brain tumors in adults are more likely to be secondary tumors than primary.
Any kind of cancer can cause a secondary tumor in the brain. However, certain kinds of cancer or more likely to spread to the brain than others, including:
- Breast cancer.
- Lung cancer.
- Colon cancer.
- Melanoma.
- Kidney cancer.
If your older family member has a brain tumor, elderly care can help them during treatment and recovery, or as they reach the end of their life. An elderly care provider can offer transportation to medical and treatment appointments. At home, an elderly care provider can sit with the senior, offering them comfort and companionship so they don’t worry as much. Elderly care providers can also do things like cook meals, tidy up the house, and assist the senior to dress, bathe, and use the bathroom.
Sources
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/brain-tumor/symptoms-causes/syc-20350084
https://www.cancercenter.com/cancer-types/brain-cancer/types
https://www.webmd.com/cancer/brain-cancer/brain-tumor-types#1
If you or an aging loved one is considering elderly care in Aurora, CO, please contact the caring staff at SYNERGY HomeCare Denver. Call today: (303) 756-9322.
