Brain cancer is rare in Hong Kong. According to the Hong Kong Cancer Registry, 265 new brain cancer cases were found in the city in 2018. Malignant brain tumours have numerous types. Glioblastoma multiforme, GBM, is considered as one of the most aggressive malignant tumours that remains extremely difficult to treat since it deteriorates quickly with a high recurrence rate. However, some types of brain cancer, such as oligodendroglioma and ependymoma, have survival rates of over 80%. Let’s get to know more about the seemingly daunting brain tumours in this article.
What is Brain Cancer?
Brain cancer is an abnormal and uncontrolled growth of cells in your brain that forms masses called tumours. Brain tumours can be classified as benign or malignant, in which the latter refers to brain cancer.
Types of Brain Cancer
Brain cancer is named based on where in your body it begins. There are two general groups of brain tumours:
- Primary brain tumours: Start in the brain and tend to stay there.
- Secondary brain tumours: Start somewhere else in your body and travel to the brain. Lung, breast, kidney, colon, and skin cancers are among the most common cancers that spread to your brain.
The most common type of primary brain tumours is glioma, developed from glial cells that help keep nerves healthy. Glioma can be further categorised into three types:
- Astrocytoma
- It is the most common type of glioma and can develop everywhere in the brain and spinal cord.
- For adults, the size of astrocytomas is relatively large and found in the cerebrum, while they are usually found in the cerebellum and brainstem for kids. They can be any grade according to their aggressiveness, from grade 1 (the lowest) to grade 4 (the highest).
- Grade 4 astrocytoma is called glioblastoma multiforme, GBM, which develops and spreads very quickly throughout the body. It also has a high recurrence rate. Therefore, the tumours are extremely hard to treat, and most cases pass away one year after the diagnoses.
- Oligodendroglioma
- This cancer usually grows in the brain of middle-aged people.
- Ependymoma
- This rare cancer forms in your brain or spinal cord. It starts in cells that line the ventricles as well as in the canal that holds the spinal cord and cerebrospinal fluid.
Symptoms of Brain Cancer
As we all know, different parts of the brain correspond to various functions. The symptoms of brain cancer depend on the size, type and location of the tumour. Some people may have no symptoms at all, and their tumours are discovered by chance in physical examination. Common symptoms of brain tumours include:
- Headaches
- Nausea or vomiting
- Speech problems or memory loss
- Sensory problems (vision, smell or taste)
- Seizure (partial or full-body)
- Gradual loss of sensation or movement in arms or legs, numbness, partial paralysis, problems in balancing or walking
- Endocrine disorders
- Fatigue, low irritability, personality changes
Causes of Brain Cancer
The exact causes of brain cancer are still unknown. It is believed to be related to a number of factors, such as family history, congenital abnormalities and exposure to chemicals.
One point to highlight is that brain cancer occurs in children as well. According to statistical research, brain tumours occur commonly in these two age groups, namely 3 to 12 year olds and 40 to 70 year olds.
Moreover, persistent exposure to radiation, formaldehyde, vinyl chloride, and propylene raise brain cancer risk.
How Is Brain Cancer Diagnosed?
Diagnosis of a brain tumour begins with a physical exam and a look at your medical history. Your doctor may order more tests after they finish the physical exam. These could include biopsy and radiography.
| Items |
Principles |
Reference Fees for Diagnosing Brain Cancer (HKD)* |
| Biopsy |
A small piece of the tumour is obtained during a biopsy for an examination by a neuropathologist. |
|
| Radiography |
CT scan, MRI scan and PET scan are used to show the position and condition of the primary tumour. It can also detect whether the tumour spreads to other parts of the body. |
|
*Prices as of 10 Apr 2021; Reference from the charges of local private hospitals and Hospital Authority.
Treatments for Brain Cancer
Treatments for brain cancer can involve surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy. Doctors will tailor treatment to fit an individual's situation. If the patient’s condition is not severe, the chance for cure is high and the risk of surgery is low, the doctor will work for complete surgical removal. Some patients have to receive supplementary medications or radiotherapy for a period after surgery to prevent a recurrence.
Your doctor may prescribe different dosage and cycle treatments for brain cancer, so the treatment fees vary as per one’s conditions. The prices below are for your reference only.
| Treatments |
Principles |
Reference Fees for Treating Brain Cancer (HKD)* |
| Chemotherapy | Chemotherapy drugs can be taken orally or injected into a vein so that they enter the bloodstream and travel throughout the body to destroy brain cancer cells. | Application and preparation costs: $2,400 per day; chemotherapy drugs are charged separately at cost. |
| Radiation Therapy | Include Linear accelerator radiotherapy, Gamma-ray positioning radiosurgery, photon knife. | Please check with your doctor. |
| Target and destroy specific cancer cells with less damage posed on the normal cells nearby. Targeted therapy drugs for brain cancer: Bevacizumab, everolimus |
Average monthly targeted drug cost: $27,000 - $30,000 |
|
| Surgery | Depending on its e size and location, a part of or the entire tumour can be removed through resection. Use in combination with chemotherapy or radiation therapy to control the growth of the tumour. |
Please check with your doctor. |
| Medications | Anti-seizure medications and steroids are used to control the cramping (partial or full-body) and swelling around the tumour, respectively. |
Please check with your doctor. |
| Tumour-Treating Fields Therapy | It is a new non-invasive brain cancer treatment that firstly applied in Hong Kong in 2018. TT fields are mild electrical fields that pulse through the skin of the scalp and interrupt cancer cells’ ability to divide. This “field of interruption” may slow down a tumour’s growth and its ability to spread. During the treatment, the patient has to put on the headgear for at least 18 hours a day. |
*Prices as of 10 Apr 2021; Reference from the charges of local private hospitals and Hospital Authority.
Complications of Brain Cancer
The brain is a vital organ. Complications of brain tumours may bring devastating effects or permanent damages that lead to physical disabilities, coma or even the patient’s death.
Complications of brain cancer include:
- Weak cognitive and logic abilities, memory loss
- Problems in vision, hearing, smell or speech due to nerves damage
- Coma
- Stroke, weak in arms and legs, paraplegia
- Hormonal disorders, cerebrospinal fluid leak
- Seizures
- Meningitis
- Infection
- Bladder and bowel problems
- Pneumonia
- Personality changes
How to Prevent Brain Cancer?
The causes of brain cancer are still unknown. Still, you can reduce your risk of developing brain tumour by avoiding environmental hazards, such as excessive exposure to radiation and dyes comprising nitrogen sulfide. You could refer to the prevention tips of brain cancer below.
- Avoid excessive radiation exposure: Receiving one CT scan equals the amount of exposure to natural radiation for several years, so unnecessary scanning should be avoided if possible.
- Some may say that using mobile phones over ten years raises the risk of brain cancer, but such a saying is not scientifically proven. In any way, you could lower your exposure of radiation emitted by your phones by reducing your screen time and avoiding using earphones and hands-free.
- Understand more about and be aware of the symptoms of brain cancer. Conduct body checks regularly to discover and treat brain tumour as early as possible.
The new Cigna VHIS Series Flexi Plan (Superior) offers an annual benefit limit of HK$30 million; you could enjoy comprehensive health protection with a full reimbursement of medical expenses. The extensive coverage can mitigate the financial burden brought by brain cancer at any stage and allow you to focus on the treatment and recovery. Cigna makes health care simple, affordable, and predictable for you. Click here to learn more.
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