Brain sarcoma

Brain sarcoma is a pathological disease that affects the functioning of the entire body. Let's consider the causes of this disease, symptoms, diagnostic methods, treatment methods, and survival prognosis.

Brain sarcoma is a rare malignant disease that occurs in 2% of all malignant tumors. Sarcoma occurs in patients of any age, and, as a rule, in the form of a node. A characteristic feature of brain sarcoma is its growth into adjacent tissues, i.e. recurrence and metastasis. The tumor penetrates and affects fatty tissue, muscles, tendons, nerves and all areas where there is connective tissue. Sarcoma is characterized by aggressive rapid growth.

A malignant tumor has blurred, unclear boundaries that are aggressive towards surrounding cells. The tumor can be loose or a dense nodule in its structure; in some cases, the neoplasm has calcification foci.

Extracerebral and intracerebral brain tumors are divided into:

• Meningosarcoma is a tumor that originates from the meninges, which consist of pathologically altered vessels. It is capable of growing into other tissues and infiltrative growth, since it does not have a capsule.
• Angioreticulosarcoma – originates from the walls of the brain vessels. The tumor contains many capillaries, so it metastasizes with the blood flow.
• Fibrosarcoma - the tumor consists of fibrous layers and ligaments. Sarcoma progresses slowly, but is characterized by a steady increase in neurological symptoms. A characteristic symptom for this type of malignant tumor is constant headaches, neurological and general cerebral symptoms.

The main symptom of sarcoma is constant headaches that do not respond to treatment with anesthetic drugs. The patient suffers from frequent dizziness, epileptic seizures, spatial and gait coordination disorders may occur. The tumor causes atrophy of the optic nerves, constant emotional and nervous disorders, and impaired consciousness.

If the brain sarcoma is localized inside the ventricles or blocks their ducts, this causes disturbances in the circulation of cerebrospinal fluid. The patient's intracranial pressure increases sharply. If the sarcoma is localized in the occipital region, the patient experiences visual impairment, and if the tumor is in the temporal region, hearing is impaired. If the frontal and parietal lobes are affected, motor activity and intellectual abilities are impaired. If the sarcoma occurs in the pituitary gland, this leads to changes in the hormonal balance in the body.

In order to detect brain sarcoma, it is necessary to undergo an examination by a neurologist. The doctor will prescribe a CT scan and a number of other studies that will help to recognize the disease. For final confirmation of brain sarcoma, the patient undergoes a puncture biopsy.

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Causes of brain sarcoma

The causes of brain sarcoma are varied, and it is impossible to specify the causes that led to the tumor. However, there are a number of risk factors that can provoke the appearance of sarcoma.

1. The presence of genetic syndromes and hereditary diseases.
2. Effects of ionizing radiation - brain tissue exposed to radiation is prone to malignant tumors. The risk of sarcoma persists for 10 years after exposure.
3. Herpes virus - this seemingly harmless disease can cause Kaposi's sarcoma.
4. Trauma and exposure to foreign bodies.
5. Chronic lymphostasis of the upper extremities after radical mastectomy.
6. Immunosuppressive therapy, polychemotherapy.

Risk factors for the development of brain sarcoma include: the patient's age, exposure to radiation and external chemicals. Most often, elderly patients suffer from brain sarcoma. Thus, the average age of patients with this disease is 57-60 years. But some types of brain sarcoma prevail in children. There are certain chemicals, the impact of which contributes to the growth of sarcoma - these are dioxin and vinyl chloride. If a person has been exposed to radiation in the past, during the treatment of tumors, then this only increases the risk of developing brain sarcoma.

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Symptoms of brain sarcoma

The symptoms of brain sarcoma are very similar to the symptoms of other tumor lesions. This is explained by the fact that sarcoma manifests itself with progressive focal neurological and general cerebral symptoms. The patient experiences constant headaches, vision and hearing are impaired, mental disorders and regular emotional disorders occur. The clinical manifestations of sarcoma correspond to the growth of the neoplasm, that is, they constantly increase.

The following symptoms of brain sarcoma are distinguished:

• Constant headaches that cannot be relieved by medication.
• Visual disturbances.
• Nausea, vomiting, dizziness, impaired consciousness.
• Epileptic seizures, speech disorders and emotional disorders.

Symptoms also depend on the location of the tumor, since the location of the sarcoma affects the brain structures that are responsible for performing certain functions.

• If the sarcoma is located in the internal space of the ventricles of the brain, it can block the ducts and cause disturbances in the circulation of cerebrospinal fluid. This leads to an increase in intracranial pressure.
• If sarcoma appears in the occipital region, it leads to visual impairment.
• If the tumor arose from the temporal lobes, then this is the cause of hearing loss.
• With sarcoma in the parietal and frontal lobes, the negative impact affects motor activity, sensitivity and intellectual abilities.

Brain sarcoma

Brain sarcoma is a malignant tumor that affects the membranes and connective tissues. Brain tumors are very rare. As a rule, sarcoma develops as a node that is located inside the cranial box. The neoplasm is related to vascular-membranous tumors and occurs in patients of any age category.

All sarcomas affecting the brain are divided into intracerebral and extracerebral. The tumor structure can be loose or dense, i.e. nodular. Intracerebral tumors are characterized by rapid pathological growth. And extracerebral sarcomas grow into brain tissue, recur and quickly metastasize. With this type of lesion, the survival rate for 2 years is 30%.

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Symptoms

Symptoms manifest as a steady increase in neurological disorders. The main sign of the tumor is constant headaches and dizziness. When the sarcoma begins to grow, the patient experiences general somatic symptoms.

Diagnostics

To diagnose brain sarcoma, you need to undergo an examination by a neurologist and ophthalmologist. The doctor will prescribe a CT scan with intravenous contrast and an ultrasound examination. In addition to non-invasive diagnostic methods, brain sarcoma is determined using a puncture biopsy and cytological examination of cerebrospinal fluid.

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Treatment

Treatment depends on the location of the lesion, the size of the tumor, the patient's age and the symptoms that appear. As a rule, treatment consists of total removal of the tumor. Surgical treatment is considered the most effective, but certain difficulties may arise during its implementation. In addition, brain surgery always carries a number of negative consequences that affect the patient's future health. Today, more modern methods are used to treat malignant brain tumors. One of these methods is stereotoxic radiosurgery and cyber knife.

Bone marrow sarcoma

Bone marrow sarcoma is a malignant lesion of the hematopoietic cells of the bone marrow. The disease is called myeloma, Rustitsky-Kaller disease, or bone marrow sarcoma. The pathology most often occurs in elderly men aged 50-60 years, although in rare cases sarcoma affects younger patients. Bone marrow sarcoma can be multiple and with one focus, i.e. solitary. Let's consider both forms of the disease in more detail.

1. Multiple bone marrow sarcoma

This pathological disease is characterized by frequent bone pain and fractures. The patient suffers from kidney disorders and anemia. A decrease in hemoglobin and an increase in blood viscosity are possible. Patients with multiple bone marrow sarcoma often experience venous thrombosis and bleeding. Since bone tissue is actively destroyed, calcium enters its composition. Calcium compounds in the form of stones and sand are deposited in the lungs, kidneys, stomach and other organs, causing disruptions in their functioning. The patient suffers from frequent infectious diseases due to a decrease in the functions of the immune system.

Multiple bone marrow sarcoma is divided into focal and widespread, i.e. porotic forms:

• In focal sarcoma, bone marrow lesions have clearly defined foci of tissue destruction. The foci are round in shape and can be of any size. Most often, lesions occur in the skull, sternum, ribs, and pelvic bones. The tumor can also be located on long bones, such as the femur, causing an increase in the volume of the affected part of the bone.
• In the porotic form of sarcoma, it is very difficult to isolate specific tumor foci. The patient exhibits symptoms of intoxication of the body, systemic osteoporosis appears (sharp pain when turning the body, jumping, coughing, sneezing, etc.). These signs are clearly manifested in the spinal column, as the bones acquire the shape of "fish vertebrae". Pathological fractures of the vertebrae and ribs are possible.

2. Solitary sarcoma of the bone marrow

This form is an early phase of bone marrow sarcoma, which, during pathological development, affects other bones and acquires a multiple form. Single sarcomas occur in young patients and affect the ribs, pelvic bones, and vertebrae. If the tumor is localized in the spine, this leads to pathological fractures. Single sarcoma causes pain over the lesion and swelling. The disease causes an increase in the volume of the affected limbs due to swelling of the bones.

Diagnosis of bone marrow sarcoma is based on the results of a biopsy, i.e. examination of a tissue sample from the tumor site. In case of single sarcoma, patients undergo surgical treatment, but in case of multiple bone marrow sarcoma, chemotherapy is administered. In any case, the prognosis for both forms of the disease is unfavorable.

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Diagnosis of brain sarcoma

Diagnosis of brain sarcoma begins with anamnesis and collecting patient complaints about pain and disorders. A neurologist conducts a visual examination of the patient, a neurological examination and prescribes a number of additional tests. The patient is sent for tomography, and to accurately confirm the diagnosis, a biopsy and histological examination of tumor tissue are performed. Let's consider the main methods of sarcoma diagnosis.

• Magnetic resonance imaging – this method allows to determine the exact location of the sarcoma and to detect metastases in nearby tissues and organs. The patient undergoes an X-ray examination of the chest to exclude metastasis to the lymph nodes and lungs.
• Computer tomography – is a layered image of brain tissue. For more accurate diagnostics, CT and MRI are performed with contrast. In addition, the patient undergoes radionuclide scanning of the skeletal system.
• Ultrasound examination allows us to determine the displacement of the midline structures of the brain, which indicates the presence of a volumetric process.

In addition to the above diagnostic methods, the patient undergoes a lumbar puncture and cerebrospinal fluid sampling for cytological examination. Radiocontrast angiography and puncture biopsy are mandatory, which confirm the diagnosis - brain sarcoma.

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Treatment of brain sarcoma

Treatment of brain sarcoma can be carried out by different methods. Patients undergo surgical operations, treatment with radiation therapy and chemotherapy. The main feature of sarcoma and other malignant tumors is the growth into healthy tissues and the absence of clearly defined boundaries. The choice of treatment method depends on the localization of the sarcoma, its size, the general condition of the patient and the relationship to neighboring tissues.

• Surgery – involves excision of the tumor. To access the sarcoma, the patient undergoes a craniotomy, that is, opening the skull. It is impossible to completely remove the sarcoma, since it has unclear boundaries and grows into healthy tissue. Therefore, after surgery, the patient will undergo a course of radiation or chemotherapy to prevent relapses of the disease and completely destroy malignant cells. The above methods can be used before surgery to reduce the size of the brain sarcoma.
• Radiation therapy – is performed when it is not possible to perform a surgical operation. It can be used in combination with chemotherapy and is performed in courses of several sessions. But this type of treatment has a number of side effects: nausea, headaches, vomiting, increased fatigue.
• Chemotherapy is a standard method of treating malignant tumors. This type of treatment has a detrimental effect on rapidly dividing cells. But not only sarcoma cells are affected, but also healthy ones. Chemotherapy is a systemic method, since it affects the entire body of the patient. As a result, the patient will experience many side effects: nausea, vomiting, hair loss, diarrhea, increased fatigue, anemia, leukopenia, decreased protective properties of the body.
• Radiosurgery – used to treat brain sarcomas that cannot be operated on. This treatment method is non-invasive and is performed without anesthesia. The treatment is performed on an outpatient basis and after the radiation session, the patient can go home.
• Stereotactic radiotherapy – the technology involves irradiating the tumor with a thin beam of radiation from different angles. The treatment is monitored using computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. The method allows directing the radiation dose only to the tumor, and not to healthy tissue. The main advantage of this treatment is the absence of any contraindications.
• CyberKnife is a modern technology that allows treating tumors of any etiology and localization without invasive intervention. CyberKnife is effective in treating not only tumors, but also metastases of any localization and size.

Prevention of brain sarcoma

Prevention of brain sarcoma is a series of measures that help prevent the disease from occurring. One of the factors that contribute to the development of brain sarcoma is radiation. High doses of treatment, even if they are administered for therapeutic purposes, can negatively affect the functioning of the entire body and cause brain sarcoma.

Of particular importance in the prevention of brain cancer is diagnostics, which must be carried out periodically. It should not be forgotten that sarcomas, like other malignant tumors, lead to certain death within a few months. Sarcoma diagnostics involves MRI and CT. These methods allow us to detect metastases of the smallest size.

• If you suffer from constant headaches, keep a diary. Write down all the details: when and where the pain began, its severity and duration. This will help the neurologist diagnose your disease.
• Pay special attention to the anti-cancer diet. Eat a balanced diet, giving preference to plant foods, which have an anti-cancer effect. Plant fiber prevents the body from coming into contact with carcinogens.
• Avoid foods that contain nitrites (smoked foods and sausages).
• Give up bad habits that increase the risk of developing malignant tumors, including brain sarcomas and other pathological lesions.

Prognosis of brain sarcoma

The prognosis for brain sarcoma depends entirely on the location of the tumor, its stage of development, the patient's age, and the general condition of his or her body. If the sarcoma is detected at an early stage and it is possible to remove it, there is a high probability of complete recovery. In other cases, the two-year survival rate is low, ranging from 5% to 30% with severe disability and low quality of life.

The prognosis of sarcoma depends on the degree of its malignancy. If the tumor is slightly necrotic and consists of highly differentiated cells, then the sarcoma grows slowly and the prognosis for its treatment is more favorable. But the main danger of sarcoma is the tendency to relapse and metastasis to vital organs and systems, especially if it is a brain sarcoma.

Brain sarcoma is the most dangerous malignant lesion. No one is immune from sarcoma, but taking precautions and avoiding risk factors can help prevent the tumor from appearing. Timely diagnosis and surgical treatment are an opportunity to stop the pathological process and eliminate brain sarcoma.