While
I love writing about nifty new techniques for combating brain tumors, the sad
fact is that there are 12% more brain tumors now than in 2004: http://www.braintumor.org/news/press-kit/brain-tumor-facts.html
Some
of this, of course, is due to population growth. However, the same NBTS posting
reports that the “prevalence” of primary brain tumors has increased 6%.
(Actually, I figured that % out using my confuser, err computer.)
In
case you’re wondering what a "primary" brain tumor is, the National Brain Tumor Society website clarified this for me noting that “Primary brain and CNS
tumors originate in the brain or spinal cord, as opposed to metastatic tumors
that originate elsewhere and spread to the brain or spinal cord.”
Somehow the idea that other parts of our body can throw tumors upstairs into our brains is particularly unsettling.
Somehow the idea that other parts of our body can throw tumors upstairs into our brains is particularly unsettling.
Yesterday I met with a traumatic brain tumor rehab specialist who said that in his
hospitals he feels like they’re not getting 2-3 new brain tumor cases a week as opposed to several
years ago when they had far fewer new patients.
And
here’s another sobering fact. According to the same NBTS posting “Brain tumors are
most commonly treated by surgery, followed by radiation therapy, chemotherapy,
or both. Little progress has been made in finding new treatments the past two
decades.”
Little
progress? Arghhh!
John
PS - Yes, I know the body doesn't literally "throw" tumors "up" into our head...they take the escalator like everything else.
John
PS - Yes, I know the body doesn't literally "throw" tumors "up" into our head...they take the escalator like everything else.
Image
credit: <a href='http://www.123rf.com/photo_6588781_x-ray-head--cerebral-tumor.html'>eraxion
/ 123RF Stock Photo</a>
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