All articles tagged with #brain tumours
New research suggests that women taking the mini-pill containing desogestrel for more than five years may have a slightly increased risk of developing benign brain tumours called meningiomas, though the overall risk remains very low. Experts advise women not to be alarmed and to consult their doctors if concerned, as the increased risk disappears within a year of stopping the medication.
A French study suggests that prolonged use of certain progestogen medications, commonly used for contraception and managing gynaecological conditions, may be linked to a greater risk of meningioma, a usually benign brain tumour. While the risk remains "extremely small," the study calls for more research into the safety of these hormones, particularly injectable medroxyprogesterone acetate. However, a leading expert advises women not to worry and to consult their doctor before making any changes to their hormone medication.
Researchers have developed a method that could cause cancerous cells to die of stress. Their research has yielded promising results with glioblastoma, one of the most common and aggressive brain tumours among adults. The treatment for glioblastoma hasn’t changed much since the early 2000s and consists of chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery. The researchers tested their findings in vivo: they used the molecule to target cancer cells in mice in combination with a drug called temozolomide (TMZ), a type of chemotherapy traditionally used in glioblastoma. They found that the combined treatment weakened the cancerous cells’ resistance to stress, and significantly shrunk the size of the tumours - and the role of Z4P molecule was clear.
Brain tumours can have lesser-known symptoms such as hearing voices, excessive growth spurts, loss of interest in hobbies, forgetfulness, and blurry vision. Tumours affecting the pituitary gland can cause extreme growth spurts in adults and children. Forgetfulness and blurry vision can also be signs of a brain tumour. Hearing voices and random sounds can indicate a brain tumour located in the temporal lobe. Early detection and treatment are crucial as brain tumours are often misdiagnosed, and only 20% of patients survive five years after diagnosis.