Exploring Brain Tumors Trivia Quiz

Answer: They are classified by where they start and by how aggressive their growth is.

According to the National Cancer Institute, leukemias and brain cancers account for more than half the cases of childhood cancer in the United States. However, brain tumors can affect a person at any age and the exact causes of brain tumors are not known. Every individual is different and some may have different symptoms than other people. Brain tumors are usually classified as malignant (cancerous) or benign (noncancerous). The other way they are classified is based on where they start in the body. Primary tumors start in the brain. Secondary, or metastatic, brain tumors begin in other parts of the body and spread to the brain.

Source: National Cancer Institute, "http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Sites-Types/childhood",
Mayo Clinic, "http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/brain-tumor/basics/definition/CON-20028592"

Answer: giving birth

Children that are exposed to high amounts of radiation or treatment have a higher risk of developing a brain tumor. The exposure to radiation while their bodies are still developing increases the risk for cell mutations that can grow into tumors. Adults over the age of 65, have been four times more likely to develop brain tumors than young people. People with rare genetic conditions have a higher risk of developing brain tumors but in most cases only represent a small percentage of the people diagnosed each year with developing tumors.

Sources:
WebMD, "http://www.webmd.com/cancer/brain-cancer/brain-tumors-in-adults"

Mayo Clinic, "http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/brain-tumor/basics/risk-factors/con-20028592"

Answer: irregular heart beats

Like most diseases, it is good to know the signs. The signs of a brain tumor depends on its size, location, and rate of growth. They can include severe headaches, hearing loss, vision problems, personality changes, speech difficulties, loss of movement, confusion, and seizures.

Many of these problems though can be caused by other health issues. It is important to consult a doctor if one has fear of the causes of these symptoms. In other cases, brain tumors can have no obvious symptoms and cause a rapid decline in health.

Source: Mayo Clinic, "http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/brain-tumor/basics/symptoms/con-20028592"

Answer: The tumor's cells are compared to cells that have been examined by a microscope.

To determine the grade, a biopsy is taken from the tumor and examined underneath a microscope to grade it.

Grade I: The tumor is benign and slow growing. Cells look almost normal.
Grade II: The tumor looks slightly abnormal and is slow growing, but sometimes spreads to nearby normal tissue.
Grade III: The tumor is malignant (cancerous) and actively produces abnormal cells.
Grade IV: The tumor is cancerous and fast spreading. The cells look very abnormal underneath the microscope. Tumor grows blood vessels to maintain rapid growth and have dead cells in their center.


Source: John Hopkins' Medicine, "http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/neurology_neurosurgery/centers_clinics/brain_tumor/diagnosis/brain-tumor-grade.html"

Answer: mutations in normal cell's DNA

When mutations occur in normal cells and continue to divide at fast rates while other cells die, it creates a mass, which forms into a tumor. The cells continue to multiply and grow, which contributes to the size of the tumor.

Chemical hair products and microwaves have been popular myths for causes of brain tumors. Although chemical exposure does put one at higher risk for developing cancer, most chemical hair products such as hair dye do not cause brain tumors. Microwaves also do not produce the high amounts of radiation that would cause abnormal cells to grow and multiply.

Source: Mayo Clinic, "http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/brain-tumor/basics/causes/con-20028592"

Everyday Health, Keith Black MD, "http://www.everydayhealth.com/columns/keith-black-brain-health/brain-cancer-myths-debunked/

Answer: astrocytoma

Astrocytoma tumors start from star shaped glial cells called astrocytes. They are usually common tumors in adults. Glial cells protect neurons, the brain cells that send and receive electrical impulses to different parts of the body. Meningioma and oligodendroglioma tumors are also common tumors in adults. Meningioma tumors start in the meninges, the membranes that surround the central nervous system. Oligodendroglioma tumors come from the cells that make up the fatty substance that protects nerves. Ependymoma tumors are usually common in children and young adults and form on the central canal of the spinal cord.


Source: National Cancer Institute, "http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/wyntk/brain/page3"

Answer: lung cancer

Secondary tumors start from other parts of the body where cancer is present and spread to the brain. Some of the higher risk cancers that are known for spreading cancer to the brain include breast cancer, colon cancer, kidney cancer, lung cancer, and melanoma.

Source: Mayo Clinic, "http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/brain-tumor/basics/causes/con-20028592"

Answer: glioblastoma multiforme

The glioblastoma multiforme tumor is one of the most aggressive malignant tumors and begins in glial cells. In many cases, people with this tumor usually only survive a few months to a year after being diagnosed, because the tumor grows and spreads so quickly. It is more common in males than in females.

Sources: Wikipedia, "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glioblastoma_multiforme"

Answer: False

Benign tumors are noncancerous, but they can still damage the tissues and nerves around them. They can also press on sensitive areas of the brain causing physical and nerve problems. Most benign tumors can be removed, and in most cases do not grow back. They also do not usually spread to other parts of the body. However they can grow in areas where they are hard to remove and cause problems. If they are left long term in the brain, occasionally they can become cancerous.

Source: National Cancer Institute, "http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/wyntk/brain/page3"

Answer: chemotherapy and radiation

Some tumors can not be removed surgically because of their size and location. Chemotherapy and radiation are used to shrink brain tumors and kill abnormal cells. One form of radiation therapy is Gamma knife therapy, which focuses high amounts of radiations to specific spots in the brain. This therapy is often used for tumors that cannot be surgically reached. The downside of radiation is that it can kill good cells and good tissue as well. It can have many long term effects on a person's health.