Brain Cancer

Brain cancer can affect many aspects of your physical and mental health. If you have brain cancer, you can find help at Arizona Center for Cancer Care. Diagnostic testing services are available to locate brain tumors and determine their type. The specialists also offer customized care plans using immunotherapy, radiation therapy, or surgery for brain tumors. Call an office in Avondale, Chandler, Gilbert, Glendale, Mesa, Phoenix, Scottsdale, Surprise, Anthem, Peoria, Fountain Hills, Wickenburg, Apache Junction, Sun City, Goodyear, Sun City West, or Tempe, Arizona, to schedule an appointment. You can also request an appointment online at any time.

What is brain cancer?

Brain cancer develops when cancerous (malignant) cells grow and divide in or around your brain. Tumors that begin in your brain are primary tumors. Tumors that form elsewhere and spread into your brain are known as secondary tumors.

Some malignant brain tumors grow slowly over time, while others grow quickly and become large enough to cause symptoms that interfere with your quality of life. Even noncancerous (benign) tumors can grow big and affect the function of your brain.

While there are about 150 different types of brain tumors, types of cancerous brain tumors include:

• Astrocytoma
• Glioblastoma
• Oligodendroglioma
• Ependymomas

Medulloblastoma is a fast-growing tumor that forms at the base of your skin, which is the most common type of cancerous brain tumor in children.

What are the symptoms of brain cancer?

Both benign and cancerous brain tumors can cause symptoms that affect the function of your brain and body.

Depending on the size of the tumor and where it develops, you might experience symptoms like:

• Headaches
• Weakness
• Mobility issues
• Memory issues
• Vision loss
• Loss of balance and coordination

You may also experience changes in your personality or have seizures because of brain tumors.

Arizona Center for Cancer Care uses diagnostic testing services, like magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computerized tomography (CT) scans, to assess brain cancer.

You might also need a biopsy, a procedure to remove a sample of brain tissue for further evaluation under a microscope.

After your testing is complete, the specialists customize a treatment to destroy cancerous cells and tumors to relieve pressure on your brain.

How is brain cancer treated?

If you have a benign or malignant brain tumor that’s causing symptoms, you might benefit from surgery to remove it.

Arizona Center for Cancer Care also offers therapies to destroy remaining cancer cells following surgery. These therapies include:

• Radiation therapy
• Chemotherapy
• Immunotherapy
• Targeted therapy

Your recovery from brain cancer depends on the type of tumor you have and its location and size. The cancer specialists can discuss your options for treatment during your consultation to determine which is right for you.

Arizona Center for Cancer Care also offers access to clinical trials to test new medications for different types of cancer. The specialists can determine if you’re a candidate for trial participation during your consultation.

Call the nearest Arizona Center for Cancer Care office to schedule a consultation for brain cancer or book one online today.