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Show by Lawrence Calton Brain tumor is a killer whose full has not been generally In children under to leukemia as the greatest cause of death from cancer-relateillnesses. From 15 to 34, it is among the top five causes of cancer-relatedeaths. Nor are older people exempt: over 40 percent of cases occur between the ages of 50 and 69. Brain tumor is a difficult growth to treat. But some significant inroads are being made through better diagnosis and improved treatment. Brain tumor manifestations can vary widely, depending upon location and size. Often they are similar to those of other health problems Headache is common because of the tumor's pressure within the cranium Seizures may range from momentary loss of consciousness to convulsions Disturbances may occur in hearing, sight, speech, taste, and smell. In the brain, even a benign tumor can be deadly as it expands inside the closed bony skull. Accurate diagnosis has often been difficult Sometimes an eye examination is helpful. A tumor producing pressure anywhere along the path of the optic nerve causes it to swell. Looking through an ophthalmoscope, a physician can see the nerve of vision and the retina. Other studies have included which can reveal the calcium buildup and skull erosion produced by several types of brain cancers; brain wave measurements, and spinal taps to check for abnormal cells and measure pressure within the brain Now several newer tests are available In echoencephalography, sound waves are used to help determine tumor location In brain scanning, the patient gets an injer tion of a radioactive compound and a machine charts its concentration, which is greater in diseased than in healthy tissue CAT (computerized axial tomography) 15, it ranks next d d full-scal- e scanning makes a series of pictures of the brain that are computerized for detailed information. When possible, brain tumors have been removed by surgery. But many were so located that surgery could not be carried out Now microsurgery enables neurosurgeons to remove some tumors employing operating microscopes that can magnify up to 40 times. Radiation therapy also has been improving The basic concept is to bombard a tumor with rays that damage or destroy the abnormal growth with minimal damage to surrounding tissues Some brain cancers, know as gliomas, respond particularly well Radiotherapy efficacy has been through use of increasing devices and better protection of nearby normal tissue Further improvement is expected thanks to CAT scanning, which can serve for more than diagnosis. Says Dr William M Wara of the University cross-sectio- n le high-energ- of California, San Francisco: y "CAT expected to revolutionize scanning radiation treatment planning by making feasible the accurate localization of tumor and determination of posiis Patient is one of new tools that may brighten outlook for brain tumor victims. prepared by technician Rosemary Bruno for CAT scanner. about 30 percent. That isn't much But for some specific types of tumors, the cure rate is much higher, according to the American Cancer Society Urges the Society: "Any abnormal signs or symptoms which have no obvious cause should be investigated by a physician such as nausea, swelling, double vision, stumbling, nosebleeds, drowsiness and listlessness, and particularly severe, prolonged or persistent headaches " Sources of information on brain tumors include: National Cancer Institute and National Institute of Neurological and Communicative Disorders and Strokes, both in Bethesda, Md 2001 4. The American Cancer Society, 777 Third Ave., New York, N Y. 10017 Association for Brain Tumor Research, 6232 N Pulaski Rd , Suite 200, Chicago, III. 60646. They offer a free booklet, A Primer of Brain Tumors. P tion of critical normal tissues " What about chemotherapy? A protective membrane around the brain acts as a barrier, preventing most anticancer drugs from passing from the blood into the brain to reach tumor cells But there is optimism that new compounds will penetrate the "brain barrier." A group of drugs called nitrosoureas has been effective Also under study is a technique developed at the National Cancer Institute and its sister National Institute of and Communicative Neurological Disorders and Strokes A plastic tube is implanted to feed antic am er drugs into the affected area of the brain In the last decade, the survival rate for all types of brain c anrers has increased and now stands at five-yea- 'if r Mi I r and Ms. Bruno ex- results of scan. The screen amine Dr. John Silver shows cross-sectio- n tumor visible as 26 v of brain , with hite blob at left IARxnr APR It 72. 1979 |