Brain Tumors

When you’re diagnosed with a brain tumor, you need to know that your neurosurgeon has intensive training, extensive experience, and exceptional surgical skill. That’s the level of medical care you’ll receive from board-certified neurosurgeons Amanda Carpenter, MD, and Duncan Carpenter, MD, at North Jersey Neurosurgical Associates. In addition to high-quality medical care, North Jersey Neurosurgical Associates gives every patient the personalized attention and customized treatment they deserve. To schedule an appointment, call the office in Ridgewood, New Jersey, or use the online booking system today.

What are the different types of brain tumors?

Brain tumors develop when changes in cellular DNA allow the affected cells to grow faster than normal and to multiply uncontrollably. More than 150 types of brain tumors have been identified, but they all belong to one of two categories: primary or metastatic.

Primary brain tumors originate in the brain and seldom spread to other areas of your body. These primary tumors may be benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous). Metastatic brain tumors begin as cancer somewhere else in your body, and then that cancer spreads to your brain.

A few examples of the most common brain tumors include: 

Benign brain tumors:

• Meningiomas, the most common type of brain tumor
• Schwannomas, tumors that develop in the tissues covering nerves
• Pituitary adenomas, the most common type of pituitary tumor

Malignant brain tumors:

• Gliomas, represent 78% of all malignant brain tumors
• Ependymomas, account for 2-3% of all malignant brain tumors
• Glioblastoma multiforme, the most aggressive type of glioma 

Fast-growing cancers like glioblastoma multiforme trigger the growth of new blood vessels to support their need for oxygen and nutrients.

What symptoms develop due to brain tumors?

The symptoms you develop depend on the size and location of the tumor. However, as a group, brain tumors cause symptoms that include: 

• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Seizures
• Confusion
• Nausea or vomiting
• Personality changes
• Vision or hearing changes
• Difficulty speaking or thinking
• Difficulty swallowing
• Impaired coordination
• Weakness in one part or one side of your body

You can also develop eye symptoms, such as double vision and uncontrollable eye movements. 

How are brain tumors treated?

North Jersey Neurosurgical Associates recommends the best treatment based on the type of tumor, its size, and location in your brain, and whether the tumor has spread. Whenever possible, treatment begins by surgically removing the brain tumor.

Using cutting-edge technology and minimally invasive surgery, your neurosurgeon takes out as much of the tumor as they can without damaging healthy tissues and affecting your brain function. 

Your brain tumor care may also include radiation therapy and/or chemotherapy, either alone or together with surgery. One type of radiation therapy called stereotactic radiosurgery uses many different beams of high doses of radiation at one time, precisely targeting the beams to treat the entire tumor without damaging the surrounding tissues.

If you need comprehensive and compassionate care for a brain tumor, call North Jersey Neurosurgical Associates or schedule an appointment online.