Pääkasvain

Pääkasvain is a Finnish term that translates to "brain tumor" in English. It refers to an abnormal growth of cells within the brain or its surrounding structures. These growths can be either primary, meaning they originate in the brain tissue itself, or secondary, meaning they have metastasized from cancer elsewhere in the body.

Primary brain tumors are classified based on the type of cell they originate from. Some common types include gliomas, which arise from glial cells that support and protect neurons, and meningiomas, which develop from the meninges, the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord. Other primary tumors can include pituitary adenomas, medulloblastomas, and primary central nervous system lymphomas.

The symptoms of a brain tumor depend on its size, location, and rate of growth. They can include headaches, seizures, nausea, vomiting, changes in vision or speech, and cognitive or personality changes. Diagnosis typically involves neurological examinations, imaging techniques such as MRI or CT scans, and sometimes a biopsy to determine the exact nature of the tumor.

Treatment for brain tumors varies widely and depends on the type, stage, and location of the tumor, as well as the patient's overall health. Options may include surgery to remove the tumor, radiation therapy to kill cancer cells, chemotherapy to slow or stop tumor growth, and targeted therapies. The prognosis for brain tumors can range from excellent to very poor, depending on these factors.