Brain Tumors and Poor Prognosis

Posted by Kathy Quan May 22, 2008

The main reason for this is that the tumors usually wrap around or intertwine with the healthy neurons which deliver impulses to and from the brain for bodily functions as well as higher brain activities such as speech and language skills, mathematical calculations and spacial relationships.

The healthy tissue is often so intertwined that to remove the cancerous tissue, the brain can be badly damaged. This can then dramaticaly affect the quality of life. The ability to speak can be lost. Vision can be severely impaired. Hearing can be lost. Other sensations can be afected such as smell, touch and taste. Multiple functions can be controlled in the same small area of the brain and so many fucntions can be affected.

Surgery is not a cure for brain tumors. Sadly there is no cure, and surgery usually buys little extra time for the patient so it is often not an option.

This differs from having a malignant tumor in an organ such as a lung or in the colon where part or all of the affected area or organ can be removed and the body can adapt and the quality of life is not as affected. The chance for cure is also much higher when any radical surgery is recommended.