Brain tumors, brain aneurysms and strokes

Brain tumors are collections of abnormal cells in the brain that can become debilitating. The chances of a person developing a brain tumor is less than one percent.

Brain tumors may be inside a person’s brain, or the tumor(s) may be next to the brain. Tumors can grow and press harmfully against healthy brain tissue. This can cause a wide range of problems throughout a person’s body. A brain tumor can also severely impact life.

Patients with certain genetic conditions like retinoblastoma, neurofibrimatosis, immune system disorders and various diseases and syndromes, have an increased risk of developing brain tumors. Scientists also know some chemicals may change the genetic structure of the body that protects people from diseases and cancer. For example, oil refinery workers, rubber manufacturing workers and chemists have a higher incidence of certain types of tumors.

Brain cancer is rare, but more than half of people diagnosed with the disease will experience extreme headaches, while 50 percent also experience seizures at some point. Other symptoms include nausea, blurred vision, balance problems, drowsiness, vomiting and personality changes.

There are different types of brain tumors, including:

Acoustic Neuroma – this tumor is developed from cells that form a protective sheath around nerve fibers. Usually benign, acoustic neuroma typically grows around the eighth cranial nerve, but can be found around other cranial or spinal nerves.
Glioblastoma Multiforme – This form of brain tumor is the most challenging to treat. MHSI doctors have access to the most current technology to treat this cancer, included image-guided surgical treatments.
Meningioma - This is a tumor in your meninges. These thin layers of protective tissue surround your brain and spinal cord. Most meningiomas are not cancerous and they usually grow slowly.
Pituitary - Your pituitary gland is found just under your brain. This pea-sized gland makes hormones that affect many of your body's functions. A pituitary tumor can cause it to release too much or too little of these hormones. This can cause serious problems, including the tumor pressing against your brain, which can cause headaches and vision loss. Most pituitary masses are not tumors, according to MHSI experts. Symptoms may include increased body hair, enlarged hands and feet, increased anxiety and depression, loss of sex drive and menstrual cycle, weight loss and changes in heart function.
Schwannoma - A schwannoma is a type of nerve tumor of the nerve sheath. It's the most common type of benign peripheral nerve tumor in adults. It can occur anywhere in your body, at any age. A schwannoma typically comes from a single bundle (fascicles) within the main nerve and displaces the rest of the nerve. When a schwannoma grows larger, more fascicles are affected, making removal more difficult. In general, a schwannoma grows slowly. Schwannomas are rarely cancerous.

More information about these types of brain tumors can be found here: https://www2.mhsi.us/patient-education/brain-tumors/

What is a brain aneurysm?

A brain aneurysm is a weak spot in the wall of a blood vessel within the brain. The weakness allows the vessel to form an abnormal bulge that can rupture or burst like a water-filled balloon. A ruptured aneurysm that bleeds into the space around the brain is called a subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). There are also aneurysms that never rupture. Aneurysms can be different sizes and differ in shape.

For more information about brain aneurysms, click: https://www2.mhsi.us/patient-education/brain-aneurysm/

What is a stroke?

A stroke is an attack on the brain. It occurs when a blood vessel (also called an artery) ruptures while bringing oxygen and blood to the brain. When this occurs, the brain cells immediately die due to lack of oxygen.

Types of Stroke

Transient ischemic attack (TIA)

Considered a mini-stroke, this type precedes about 15 percent of all strokes. A TIA happens when an artery is blocked by a blood clot for a short period of time, and the blood flow to an area of the brain is stopped or slowed down. Symptoms, while not permanent, may include numbness, difficulty speaking, and loss of coordination.

Ischemic Stroke

Occurs when a blood clot is blocking an artery, limiting the flow of oxygen that is not reaching the brain cells. Without oxygen reaching the brain, brain cells will begin to die. This type of stroke is the most common and accounts.

Embolic ischemic stroke – a blood clot or plaque moves through the bloodstream and reaches the brain.
Thrombotic ischemic stroke – a blood clot blocks an artery that supplies blood to the brain.
System hypoperfusion – the heart stops pumping and not enough blood reaches the brain.

Hemorrhagic Stroke

This is more serious type of stroke, where the fatality rate is higher and prognosis is poorer. This happens with a blood vessel bursts and blood spills into the brain. A brain aneurysm or a weakened blood vessel leak usually occurs in this type of stroke.

Intracerebral hemorrhage – is a blood vessel that bursts and bleeds deep into brain tissue.
Subarachnoid hemorrhage – the blood vessel bursts near the surface of the brain and blood pours into the area between the brain and skull.
Aneurysm – a weak spot on the wall of an artery that may balloon or bulge out and burst, leaking blood into or outside of the brain.
Arteriovenous malformation (AVM) – it consists of a tangle of abnormal vessels connecting arteries and veins with no normal intervening brain tissue.

For more information about stroke, visit https://www2.mhsi.us/patient-education/what-is-a-stroke/

Treatment for a brain tumor

Surgery is the primary treatment for tumors within the membranes covering the brain or residing in parts of the brain that can be extracted without hampering neurological functions. Secondary treatments include radiation therapy and chemotherapy.

Treatment for a stroke

Call 9-1-1 immediately if you or someone you know experiences warning signs, which may include a severe, sudden and unusual headache, or if the person has had a prior stroke. It’s critical to diagnose a stroke as soon as possible as the treatment for stroke depends on the type and source of the stroke, location of the injury to the brain and how long the brain tissue has been without blood supply.

Treatment for an aneurysm

Medical treatments are available for an unruptured aneurysm. These may include a CT scan, angiography, MRA, all to monitor growth of the aneurysm over time. Also included is endovascular coiling or surgical clipping, which stops blood flow to the aneurysm.

If you or a loved one is seeking treatment for brain cancer, an aneurysm, a stroke, or pituitary issues, or are seeking a second opinion on any of these conditions, schedule an appointment online or contact MHSI at 248-784-3667.

To view more information about MHSI’s neurosurgeons, visit: https://www2.mhsi.us/doctors/neurosurgery-physicians/. For more information about MHSI’s neurologists, visit: https://www2.mhsi.us/doctors/neurologists/

Brain

Lisa J. – Lisa had a long history of headaches. She was diagnosed with meningioma, which included four brain tumors. She was treated by Dr. Daniel Fahim, who answered her many questions and discussed her treatments, which would minimize her hospital stay time. She went back to work two weeks after her successful surgery to remove the tumors.

Kim S. – Kim experienced problems with her eyesight and was diagnosed with a pituitary tumor. Dr. Daniel Fahim talked with Kim about her type of tumor and her treatment options. Dr. Fahim performed a minimally-invasive surgery that went through her nose to reach her sphenoid sinus behind the nose, through which he accessed her tumor. Kim had a successful surgery and recovery.

Keith E. – Guitarist Keith was diagnosed with a brain tumor in the cerebellum region of his brain, a sporadic hemangioma. The tumor was causing him headaches, nausea and dizziness and affected the function of his right hand. Keith’s type of tumor can also affect the heart and breathing. He was treated by Dr. Daniel B. Michael and recovery was ‘uneventful.’ Keith felt better after the surgery and was able to use his hand more effectively. He underwent a second Gamma Knife surgery and is back to playing guitar.

Kevin – Concert pianist Kevin was diagnosed with a type of schwannoma, also known as an acoustic neuroma, which was preceded by facial numbness, hearing loss, headaches and a change in his sense of taste. Kevin met with surgeons Dr. Sallesh Babu of the Michigan Ear Institute and Dr. Jeffrey Jacob of MHSI. The day after surgery, Kevin was able to walk unassisted. Though he lost hearing in his right ear, Kevin understands that it had to be sacrificed to save his life.

Aneurysm

Heather Anderson – RN Heather experienced extreme fatigue that manifested itself in muscular weakness. She had an MRI and, through conversations with her family, discovered she had a hereditary risk of being diagnosed with an aneurysm. She was treated by Dr. Richard Fessler, who performed a minimally-invasive surgery called “coiling,” which closed access of blood from the aneurysm. Her surgery lasted 20 hours. Heather’s life is back to normal and she says she doesn’t worry about the aneurysm anymore.

Dwayne – Musician Dwayne, after experiencing what he called a “really bad headache,” was diagnosed with a brain bleed (an arteriovenous malformation or AVM) and had to undergo immediate surgery to save his life. He was treated by Dr. Richard Fessler and Dr. Fernando Diaz of MHSI and underwent several surgeries, including Gamma Knife. It took doctors three years to completely eliminate the AVM. His guitar-playing abilities have been restored, along with normal functioning, including his eyesight.

Pituitary

Eva – Pregnant with her third child, Eva began to notice changes in her vision, including experiencing blind spots. She was diagnosed with a tumor near her pituitary gland and brain. She was treated by Dr. Daniel Fahim, who met her on the day she delivered her child. Dr. Daniel Fahim performed surgery through her nose, which required no incisions on her body. Eva’s sight has been fully restored and her tumor is gone.