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Home :: Family Health :: Haemangioblastoma Haemangioblastoma - Haemangioblastoma symptom, treatment, causes
Haemangioblastoma means an uncommon benign brain tumour composed of capillaries. It is usually found in the cerebellum (the part of the brain that coordinates voluntary muscle activity), and most often in children and young adults. Haemangioblastomas often form cysts that cause symptoms because they press on nearby nervous tissue as they enlarge. These symptoms depend on the site of the tumour and include dizziness, loss of coordination, visual disturbances and indications of raised pressure within the skull, such as severe headache and vomiting. Treatment is by drainage of the cysts and surgical removal of the tumour.
Multiple haemangioblastomas in the cerebel1um, spinal cord, retina and other organs occur in a rare genetic disorder. VON HIPPEL-LINDAU DISEASE.
Haemangioblastoma means an uncommon benign brain tumour composed of capillaries. A haemangioblastoma tumour is formed from cells that line the blood vessels, at an early stage of their development. It is usually found in the cerebellum (the part of the brain that coordinates voluntary muscle activity), and most often in children and young adults. It is almost always a benign tumour, which may be like a cyst, and more than one tumour may be present. They are commonly slow-growing tumours and do not spread to other parts of the brain. Haemangioblastomas start in the cells that line blood vessels. At an early stage of its development, one of these cells begins to grow abnormally and make more abnormal cells which form a tumour. Haemangioblastomas are slow-growing tumours, and any signs and symptoms usually develop slowly over several years. The main symptoms arise from increased pressure within the skull (raised intracranial pressure). This may be due to a blockage in the ventricles (fluid-filled spaces in the brain) that leads to a build-up of cerebrospinal fluid. Cerebrospinal fluid is the fluid that surrounds and protects the brain and spinal cord. The treatment for haemangioblastoma depends on a number of factors, including your general health and the size and position of the tumour. Surgery is almost always used to treat haemangioblastoma.
Causes of Haemangioblastoma
The common causes and risk factor's of Haemangioblastoma include the following:
- The exect causes of haemangioblastoma are unknown.
Symptoms of Haemangioblastoma
Some sign and symptoms related to Haemangioblastoma are as follows:
- Sight problems.
- Headaches.
- Sickness (vomiting).
- Back and neck pain.
- Numbness and weakness in the arms or legs.
Treatment of Haemangioblastoma
Here is list of the methods for treating Haemangioblastoma:
- Steroid drugs may be used to reduce swelling around the tumour.
- Surgery is almost always used to treat haemangioblastoma.
- Radiotherapy treatment, the use of high-energy rays to destroy the cancer cells, may be used after surgery if the tumour has not been removed completely. It may be used to treat haemangioblastoma if surgery is not possible.
- Chemotherapy is rarely used for treating haemangioblastoma.
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