How Can Brain Tumour Related Fatigue Be Managed?

Fatigue is one of the most common side effects of a brain tumour diagnosis, with 3 in 5 people affected by it, according to the Brain Tumour Charity. The causes of the fatigue might be directly related to the neurological condition, and it might be the result of the emotional and psychological stress of the diagnosis. 

A brain tumour, such as an acoustic neuroma, may grow in an area of the brain where there are vital links which control the nerve functions to the rest of the body. The tumour can press on these nerves, interfering with essential functions such as sight, balance, speech, concentration, and hearing.

The extra effort to complete activities which once were undertaken without a second thought can become extremely tiring. The patient will at the same time be coming to terms with the practical and emotional implications of a brain tumour diagnosis. Of course, brain tumours affect everyone differently, and not everyone will experience fatigue.

Some people may have mild or no symptoms, while others find that it is the debilitating consequence of their diagnosis. The levels of fatigue can vary according to the time of day, and they may fluctuate on a day-to-day basis. 

Fatigue is characterised by a lack of energy, sleep problems (either too much or too little), an overwhelming feeling of exhaustion, aching muscles, and becoming tired even after carrying out short activities or tasks. 

Some of the symptoms may mirror those of depression, such as irritability, loss of interest in hobbies, poor concentration, low self-esteem, and an inability to make decisions. It may cause anxiety, social withdrawal, and problems with relationships. The shock of diagnosis and the extra stress placed on the body during treatment can exacerbate the problem. 

A natural instinct in this situation might be to take more rest than usual, but this won’t have any impact on chronic fatigue. Friends and family can find this a difficult thing to understand, especially because there are no outward physical symptoms of the problem. So, how is the situation best addressed?

It is important to talk to your healthcare team if you are struggling. While there is no cure, there may be some ways to help you manage the fatigue. The British Acoustic Neuroma Association (BANA) recommends pacing activities, so that you carry out only the most essential tasks, and take regular breaks.

Over time, you may find that certain tasks are more tiring than others. If this is the case, identify those which make your fatigue worse and if possible, ask for extra help from family or friends. 

Ensuring that you drink plenty of water to avoid becoming dehydrated is important, especially if your normal eating patterns have been disrupted. Eating a well-balanced diet with slow release carbs can help to boost energy levels. If possible, try and maintain a regular bed time and getting up time, and take light exercise if your condition allows.

If you would like to find out more information about Gamma Knife surgery in the UK, please get in touch today.

 

Covid Vaccine May Lead To Cancer Treatment Breakthrough

The race to develop new vaccine technology during the Covid crisis has led to hopes of making a critical breakthrough in the treatment of cancer. The BBC reports that the German pharmaceutical company BioNTech, who worked with Pfizer to use messenger RNA (mRNA) technology to create a Covid vaccine, are currently trialling an innovative cancer treatment.

Professors Ugur Sahin and Ozlem Tureci are a husband and wife team who have been exploring the possibilities of mRNA technology since 2008, and trials for cancer treatments have been in place for several years. However, it wasn’t used in an approved vaccine until the pandemic made it a priority. 

The speed and success rate of the mRNA Covid vaccine took everyone by surprise, and this has boosted hopes for the same rapid progress for a new cancer therapy. The vaccine works by deliberately triggering the immune system to produce antigens which would attack tumour cells.

Prof Ozlem Tureci, BioNTech’s chief medical officer, told the BBC: “mRNA acts as a blueprint and allows you to tell the body to produce the drug or the vaccine… and when you use mRNA as a vaccine, the mRNA is a blueprint for the ‘wanted poster’ of the enemy – in this case cancer antigens which distinguish cancer cells from normal cells.”

She added: “Every step, every patient we treat in our cancer trials helps us to find out more about what we are against and how to address that. As scientists, we are always hesitant to say we will have a cure for cancer. We have a number of breakthroughs and we will continue to work on them.”

There are some legal issues which may unfortunately hamper the immediate progress of a cancer vaccine. The US drug firm Moderna claims that they hold the patent for mRNA technology, and are taking legal action against BioNTech and Pfizer. However, the genie is already out of the bottle, and further advances in vaccine technology are now inevitable. 

 

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East Enders To Introduce Brain Tumour Storyline

The BBC TV soap East Enders is to tackle the emotive subject of brain tumours in a new storyline. The Media Centre reports that the young character Lola Pearce, who is played by actress Danielle Harold, will be diagnosed with a brain tumour in a plotline to be aired during the autumn.

To ensure that the portrayal of the situation was accurate, relatable, and sensitive to viewers who may have found themselves in a similar sad situation, the BBC worked with leading charities, including Brain Tumour Research and Macmillan Cancer Support. 

Actress Danielle Harold said: “It means so much to be trusted with a storyline like this – one that’s close to many people’s hearts. Sadly many of our viewers will be able to relate to Lola’s story, and it’s been heart-breaking to speak to the families affected by brain tumours and hear their stories. 

She added: “They’ve been so amazing in sharing their experiences with me, and I’m so lucky to have them. I wouldn’t be able to do this storyline without their support.”

A brain tumour diagnosis is a life-changing event, both for the patients and their loved ones. It can be a difficult and distressing time, as there are so many practical issues to consider, such as work and careers, finances, and care, as well as the profound emotional impact that such news can carry.

Sue Castle-Smith, Head of PR and Communications at the charity Brain Tumour Research said: “We are extremely grateful to EastEnders for helping to raise awareness of brain tumours.”

She added: “Brain tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer and, sadly, Lola’s story will be all too familiar to one in three people who know someone affected by this devastating disease.”

Viewers who might be alerted to the signs and symptoms of a potential brain tumour through watching the TV show are encouraged to visit their GP as soon as possible. They may be referred to a specialist for a scan or further tests. The earlier a brain tumour is diagnosed, the better the prognosis for the patient. 

The treatment will depend on the size, type, location, and severity of the tumour. Benign low-grade tumours (grade 1 and 2) are non-cancerous, and they are usually slow growing. Depending on the location, they may not need operating on. High grade tumours (grade 3 or 4) are more aggressive and may spread faster, and present a threat to life.

High grade tumours will usually be operated on if it is safe to do so. There are now modern methods of operating on brain tumours, such as Gamma Knife radiosurgery, which are considered more accurate and safer than traditional methods of surgery. 

Gamma Knife is a type of radiotherapy which, despite its name, doesn’t involve any cutting with a scalpel or traditional open surgery. It makes use of precisely targeted radiation beams from an external machine, to deliberately damage the tumour cells in the brain, while causing minimal damage to the surrounding healthy tissue. 

 

New Breakthrough In Understanding Cancer Spread

Scientists at the University of Cambridge (UoC) have made a breakthrough discovery in understanding how cancer cells spread through the body. This could change the approach to treating metastasis (the spread of cancer cells from a primary site to a secondary site in the body.)

The UoC website explains that the research team have discovered how cancer cells join healthy cells to spread around the body. This was previously thought to be an abnormal process, but now scientists have found that healthy cells also migrate around the body in the same way, which changes the way cancer treatment could be approached. 

The researchers found that when they blocked the activity of the NALCN (which is an acronym for sodium (Na+) leak channel, non-selective) protein cells in mice with cancer, it triggered metastasis. However, when NALCN was removed from mice without cancer, the healthy cells continued to spread around the body, contrary to expectations. 

From this observation, the scientists concluded that cell migration is a normal process, which is exploited by cancerous cells in order to spread around the body. This could allow for new innovations in how cancer is treated in the future. Presently, metastasis is very difficult to prevent, and is one of the main causes of cancer deaths.

Group Leader for the study and Director of the CRUK Cambridge Centre, Professor Richard Gilbertson, said: “These findings are among the most important to have come out of my lab for three decades.”

He added: “Not only have we identified one of the elusive drivers of metastasis, but we have also turned a commonly held understanding of this on its head, showing how cancer hijacks processes in healthy cells for its own gains.”

“If validated through further research, this could have far-reaching implications for how we prevent cancer from spreading and allow us to manipulate this process to repair damaged organs.”

The scientists hope that through further experimentation and research into how to restore metastasis function in the body, possibly by using existing drugs, they can develop more precisely targeted cancer treatments.

Lead researcher on the study Dr Eric Rahrmann, said: “We are incredibly excited to have identified a single protein that regulates not only how cancer spreads through the body, independent of tumour growth, but also normal tissue cell shedding and repair.”

He added: “We are developing a clearer picture on the processes that govern how cancer cells spread. We can now consider whether there are likely existing drugs which could be repurposed to prevent this mechanism from triggering cancer spreading in patients.”

The researchers are hopeful that they will eventually be able to target the key drivers of metastasis in the body of cancer patients, leading to more effective treatments and higher survival rates in the future. The research paper has been published in the journal Nature Genetics, according to a press release from the UoC. 

If you would like some information about Gamma Knife surgery UK, please get in touch with us today.

 

22-Year-Old Woman Has Life-Saving Gamma Knife Surgery

22 year old Molly Lloyd has undergone Gamma Knife radiosurgery after being diagnosed with a brain arteriovenous malformation (AVM). Birmingham Live reports that Molly has undergone a total of three emergency surgeries since May, and is now making some signs of progress at hospital in Birmingham.

AVM occurs when an abnormal tangle of blood vessels develops in the brain. It’s a rare but potentially serious condition, because the weakened blood vessels disrupt the flow of oxygen between the heart, lungs, and brain. This leads to an increased risk of stroke, brain damage, and haemorrhage.

Molly was unfortunately unaware she had an AVM until she experienced her first seizure in 2019, aged just 19. She was rushed to Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham, where she was diagnosed with a 4cm x 4cm AVM in the frontal lobe of her brain. The location of the AVM in critical in determining the level of risk to the patient, and the treatment they have.

Molly, from Cardiff, was able to return to her studies after treatment, and started university last year. However, in May last year, Molly was rushed to hospital with a massive brain haemorrhage. She suffered a seizure while driving, but luckily her boyfriend was able to take control of the car and guide it safely off the road. 

She underwent treatment at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham. In Molly’s case, the AVM is in the region which controls major cognitive functions, such as memory, coordination, planning, and concentration. Despite some of the damage being mitigated by previous Gamma Knife surgery, her condition remains serious.

Since May, Molly has been unable to walk, talk, or feed herself. Her mum, Jenny Lloyd, said: “Her brain will need to rewire itself – she’ll have to learn everything again like a baby. Someone could come [into hospital] the same as Molly and be walking and talking within six months. I have to hold out hope that she will get better.” 

Because of the critical location of the AVM, open neurosurgery was considered too risky. Fortunately, Molly was able to benefit from Gamma Knife Surgery, which is considered a safe and effective alternative, because it mitigates against the risks of general anaesthetic, bleeding, and infection, and of damage to surrounding healthy tissue.

Gamma Knife is also known as stereotactic radiosurgery. It does not involve any incision with a surgical knife. Precisely targeted beams of radiation are directed at the affected area from an external machine, from several directions at once. This procedure disconnects the damaged blood vessels, while leaving the surrounding tissue unharmed.

Jenny explained: “Where it was located would affect her movement and speech, so they didn’t want to go in and cause any trouble. So instead she went to Sheffield for something called gamma knife radiosurgery where they put a frame around her head and gave her tiny beams of radiation. She was incredibly brave.”

Molly is now showing signs of progress, and is able to open her eyes, and respond to questions using communication cards.

 

What Is A Secondary Brain Tumour?

A secondary brain tumour develops when cancer cells spread to the brain from another part of the body. Another term for this is a brain metastasis. The cells can spread from any type of primary cancerous tumour, but the most common types include lung, breast, bowel, skin, and kidney cancer. 

 

What are the symptoms of a secondary brain tumour?

The symptoms of brain metastases are similar to those of any brain tumour. The most common symptoms include headaches, unexplained changes in behaviour and mood swings, nausea, memory loss and confusion, tiredness, muscle weakness or numbness, particularly on one side of the body, and seizures. 

The symptoms are caused by the brain tumour (there may be one, or multiple tumours) placing pressure on the brain tissue, which causes malfunctions. Anyone experiencing these symptoms persistently should consult a doctor, especially if they have already had a diagnosis of primary cancer at another site in the body.

 

What are the causes of a secondary brain tumour?

Brain metastases develop when the cancer cells at the primary site break away from the tumour, and travel through the lymphatic system or bloodstream to the brain. Any type of primary cancer may be the original cause, but some types, such as breast, bowel, and kidney cancer, are more frequent causes of brain metastases. 

 

How are they diagnosed?

If your doctor suspects brain metastases, you may be referred for a neurological exam. This will involve checking your vision, balance, hearing, coordination, and reflexes. 

You may them be referred for a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan, or a computerised tomography (CT) scan. Both these scans involve taking multiple images of the inside of your brain, which are then pieced together to form a 3D image. This allows doctors to have a precise knowledge of the size, shape, and location of the tumours.

A sample of the tumour may be taken for a biopsy, which will be used to confirm if the cells are cancerous or not. 

 

What types of brain metastases treatment are there?

The treatment may depend on what type of primary cancer you have, and how this has been treated. It will also depend on the size and location of the brain tumours, and your overall state of health. 

You may be offered stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT), which involves applying a strong dose of radiation from an external machine. The radiation beam is precisely targeted, to destroy the abnormal tissues and cause as little damage as possible to the surrounding tissue. One type of SRT is known as Gamma Knife surgery.

This does not involve a traditional surgical procedure with a knife. Rather, it is a method of applying a strong and highly focused dose of radiation from multiple angles at once. This maximises the deliberate damage done to the cancerous tissue, and minimises the risk of side effects and complications.

SCT is regarded as a safe and effective alternative treatment to open brain surgery. The patients may also be offered treatment with steroids or chemotherapy as a part of their treatment. 

 

Shout Out For International Brain Tumour Awareness Week

The 2022 International Brain Tumour Awareness Week (IBTA) is taking place from 29 October to the 5 November. The aim is to raise awareness of brain tumours, and to help support anyone who has been impacted by a brain tumour, whether through a diagnosis for themself or a family member or friend.

The IBTA is organised by the International Brain Tumour Alliance, who are keen to increase the levels of research into brain tumours. Kathy Oliver, Founding Co-Director and Chair at IBTA, told the Brain Tumour Research charity: “This week is for everyone who has been impacted by a brain tumour.”

She added: “It is for anyone who hopes to see better outcomes for those diagnosed with this awful disease and – on a personal front – it is for Colin, my son who was diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2004 at age 24 and passed away, aged 32, in August 2011. I hope you are able to support our week.”

Suggested activities to help support IBTA include sharing stories about living with a brain tumour to local media, or with local community groups and schools. Other ideas include starting a blog about living with a brain tumour or caring for someone with a diagnosis, or developing educational resources such as webinars or online learning materials.

Popular fund-raising activities to help raise money for further brain tumour research include sponsored walks, fun runs, or quiz nights. The IBTA has also produced logos for supporters to download, and share on social media channels such as Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, and Instagram. 

IBTA have also organised a virtual exhibition titled Brilliance! which is designed to celebrate the creativity of the global brain tumour community, and is available to view on their website.

 

If you would like some information about gamma knife radiosurgery in the UK, please get in touch today. 

 

Who Is Gamma Knife Surgery Suitable For?

Gamma Knife surgery is a rather misleading term, because it isn’t surgery in the traditional sense, and doesn’t involve a knife. It involves precisely targeted narrow beams of low-dose radiation, which combine at the site of the tumour to destroy the cells. The exact position of the tumour is detected using scans to build accurate 3D images. 

This type of surgery is also known as stereotactic radiotherapy, or SRT. It has the advantage over conventional open surgery of substantially reducing the risk of bleeding and infection, and it has faster recovery times.

Gamma Knife surgery is less intrusive than open surgery, and the ability to precisely target the radiation beams means that the surrounding healthy tissue and organs will suffer little or no damage. It also means that you will usually need fewer treatments than with other types of radiotherapy, because a higher dose of radiation per treatment is used. 

This treatment is most suited to small well-defined tumours. The decision whether or not it is most suitable will be made on an individual basis by a medical professional, or a multi-disciplinary team. If the tumour is near important nerves which may be damaged by radiation, other types of surgery may be recommended. 

The most frequent type of tumours which are treated with gamma knife surgery are benign primary tumours, such as acoustic neuromas, pituitary adenomas and chordoma or meningiomas. Larger tumours are unsuitable for the treatment because the low doses of radiation involved wouldn’t be enough to destroy the tumour cells. 

Increasing the dose of radiation would present too higher risk of damaging the healthy brain tissue, so for larger tumours, or those with ill defined edges, Gamma Knife surgery would not be recommended. If there are multiple tumours present, then the treatment would also usually be unsuitable.

 

Blood Test Could Lead To Earlier Brain Tumour Diagnosis

Researchers at the University of Bristol are developing a new blood test that could detect brain tumours at an earlier stage, the BBC reports. The test could be carried out at a GP surgery, avoiding the need for a patient to be transferred to a waiting list to see a consultant. 

The earlier a brain tumour is detected, the more effective and specific the treatment plan can be. The test will use mathematical models to examine and compare biomarkers for the most common types of brain tumour found in adults. 

Dr Johanna Blee said: “We are hopeful this research will ultimately aid the development of a simple blood test for brain tumours. Our findings provide the basis for further clinical data on the impact of lowering the current detection threshold, to allow earlier detection of GBMs using blood tests.” 

She added: “We have also demonstrated how our models can be combined with other diagnostics such as scans to enhance clinical insight with a view to developing more personalised and effective treatments.” 

The earlier a brain tumour is diagnosed, the more chance the patient has of being successfully treated. Biomarkers, or biological markers, are indicators such as a gene or molecule in the body that can be measured by clinicians to provide useful data.

For example, they can help determine what kind of tumour it is, and give a prediction about how fast it will grow. Medics may also use the test to determine which kind of treatment will be most effective. 

Research into biomarkers is still in the relatively early stages, and currently not all hospitals offer the tests. They do not always provide 100% reliable results, but they are useful for making a prognosis, and to help medics tailor a treatment plan that is most appropriate for the patient.

If you would like some information about gamma knife radiosurgery, please get in touch today.

How Are Brain Tumours Graded?

There are different types of brain tumour, which are classed as malignant (cancerous) or benign (non-cancerous). They are further labelled according to the position in the brain, and graded from 1-4. Grade 1 and 2 are the least serious non-cancerous tumours, and grades 3-4 are cancerous. Here is some more information about how they are graded. 

Why are tumours graded?

Brain tumours are graded to provide you with an accurate diagnosis of your condition, and also to guide clinicians on a treatment pathway, and understand how the tumour might develop. The grading will usually be decided after a biopsy has been carried out, where a neuropathologist analyses the cell patterns from a sample of the tumour.

The more abnormal the brain tumour cells appear under a microscope, the higher the grade of tumour. Grade 1 tumours can have almost normal looking cells, while a grade 4 tumour will have the most abnormal looking cells. 

Sometimes, a tumour can be ‘mixed grade’ which means that the cells contained both low grade and high grade patterns. Even if the majority of the cells were low grade, the presence of high grade cells means that the tumour will be classed as high grade. 

Low grade tumours

A tumour that is grade 1 or 2 is classed as a low grade tumour. They are slow growing, and unlikely to spread or return if they are removed. Although they are benign, this doesn’t they are harmless or won’t require treatment. Depending on the position of the tumour in the brain, it can cause serious symptoms that may even be life threatening. 

Some benign tumours can cause a build up of pressure on the brain, by blocking the flow of cerebrospinal fluid which is essential for the brain to function normally. The tumour can also press on other areas of the brain, which may eventually cause damage. 

Furthermore, sometimes a low grade tumour can progress into a malignant grade 3 tumour, which could then develop into a grade 4 tumour. A grade 1 or 2 tumour may require surgery to remove it. 

High grade tumours

High grade tumours are graded as 3 or 4. They are fast growing and malignant (cancerous), and likely to spread to other areas of the brain or spinal cord. A combined treatment of surgery and radiotherapy or chemotherapy is usually required. 

Receiving your diagnosis

When your doctor or healthcare professional explains the grading of your brain tumour, don’t be afraid to ask questions, and ask them to explain anything that you don’t understand. They should be able to talk through all the recommended treatment options, for example.

Sometimes, certain hospitals or treatment centres run clinical trials of potentially effective new therapies. If this is something that you might be interested in taking part in, ask your doctor if there are any suitable programmes that you could sign up for. In some cases, you may also want to request a second opinion to confirm the diagnosis. 

If you would like some information about gamma knife radiosurgery, please talk to us today.