Zimbabwe Brain Tumor Association

Glioblastoma (GBM) is a common, complex
and treatment-resistant brain tumour. Today is
GBM Awareness Day-a time to amplify the
voices, experiences, and urgent needs of GBM patients and their families.

We would like to thank all of you who contributed to the treatment of Langa.

Mr Muchedzi has given an update on the recent developments with regards to Langa's treatment as per below.

Mr Muchedzi and his family extends their gratitude to you all for your support.

We are calling on all our supporters and well wishers to help save Langa's life.She urgently need specialised treatment to remove a tumour. The treatment is costly beyond the means of the family.There is no amount too small or too big, any amount will make a significant difference.We at the ZBTA would like to thank you in advance for your support,your kindness and generosity will help Langa beat this tumour.
THANK YOU🙏🏽🙏🏽

Thank you all for your support in 2023.

Zimbabwe Brain Tumour Association ( Kick the Cancer) with Karate Association.

International Brain Tumour Awareness week.

ZBTA collaborative work with the Zimbabwe Karate Association in spreading awareness about Brain Cancers.

More research needed on GBM.

The Zimbabwe Brain Tumour Association supporting the GBM awareness day campaign.

Unimaginable suffering, fighting a brain tumour and a war, we stand with you all brain tumour patients in Ukraine 🇺🇦

The International Brain Tumour Alliance Summit - Creating possibilities, when Medical experts and patient advocates come together with one mission.

The International Brain Tumour Alliance Summit, Zimbabwe is counted.

Create more hope, more Awareness in the month of May and throughout the year.

Brain Tumour Awareness Month, share Hope.

MPs demand action to make brain tumour research a “critical priority” The All-Party Parliamentary Group on Brain Tumours (APPGBT) has published its Inquiry Report demanding urgent action to help those affected by brain tumours.

https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/lifestyle/seven-brain-tumour-symptoms-aware-27609651

Seven brain tumour symptoms to be aware of as new figures show rise in cases Dr Catherine McBain, has outlined seven possible signs which may be linked to brain tumour.

Zimbabwe Brain Tumour Association joins the world in Commemorating International Childhood Cancer Day. Brain Tumours are part of childhood cancers which we are fighting in Zimbabwe with many stakeholders rallying behind us .

Zimbabwe Brain Tumor Association joins the world this September in commemorating Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.
Did you know that brain tumors are the leading cause of cancer - related deaths among children. kick childhood cancers out...

Brain Tumors attack the very essence of who we are ;our cogntions, emotions, behavior and personality.
That's why we are always there for you and encourage you to reach out to us if you or your loved one has been diagnosed with a brain tumor... Together we will achieve through hope and strength!

Last year, the IBTA ran two international surveys examining (1) “Brain tumours and COVID-19: the patient and caregiver experience” and (2) how COVID-19 was affecting brain tumour patient advocacy organisations.

IBTA have now launched a follow-on survey on COVID-19 vaccine rollouts are impacting brain tumour patients internationally. It is for people over the age of 18 who have been diagnosed with any type of brain tumour (including metastatic brain tumours) and respondents do not need to have had a coronavirus vaccine. The survey will collect data anonymously on, for example, how the coronavirus vaccination programmes in different countries have been offered to brain tumour patients; COVID-19 testing; which vaccines brain tumour patients have received; and vaccine side effects in brain tumour patients.

https://www.research.net/r/IBTACOVIDVAX

International survey on COVID-19 vaccines and brain tumour patients Take this survey powered by surveymonkey.com. Create your own surveys for free.

'For there is hope for a tree,
If it is cut down, that it will sprout again,
And that it's tender shoots will not cease.
Though its root may grow old in the earth,
And its stump may die in the ground,
Yet at the scent of water it will bud
And bring forth branches like a plant. '
THERE IS HOPE AFTER BRAIN TUMOR DIAGNOSIS.

Have you been diagnosed with a brain tumor?
Are you confused and scared?
Then know, you are never alone we are here for you. Together through hope and strength we will make it...... There's hope, get in touch today and let's begin our journey of recovery and resilience.

A must watch...... Complex Scientific concepts being broken down at the forefront of Brain Tumor research and treatment!

Informed in 30: Precision Medicine National Brain Tumor Society (NBTS) presents Informed in 30, a video series that breaks down complex scientific concepts at the forefront of brain tumor rese...

Having a brain tumour and living in Sub Saharan Africa is extremely challenging due to limited resources, treatment options and other multifaceted issues.
At the ZBTA, we revere the brave Brain tumour patients, survivors and valued caregivers from the Sub saharan Africa region.We need to hear from you and please feel free to share your stories and your experiences.

Part 2 of Diagnosis. Please not that not all the diagnosis machines can be found in Zimbabwe.

Brain Scans
A brain scan is a type of diagnostic test that takes pictures of the brain. Like an X-ray can see inside the body to diagnose a broken bone, a brain scan can see inside the skull to see a brain tumor. The two most common scans for diagnosing a brain tumor are magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (known as a CT or CAT scan).

During your scan, your doctor may use a special dye, called contrast, to make areas of the brain easier to see. Contrast material is usually injected into a vein before the scan starts. The radiology (the science dealing with X-rays and other high-energy radiation, especially the use of such radiation for the diagnosis and treatment of disease) facility performing the test will provide information about your test, including any information and instructions about the contrast agent (if prescribed), what to wear, and what to bring along. The radiology facility will determine if you need a blood creatinine test (a test that shows the level of creatinine in your blood and provides an estimate of how well your kidneys filter) to ensure your kidneys are safe to receive contrast. Let the facility know if you have any allergies.

Brain scans are non-invasive (a noninvasive procedure is one that does not involve cutting into the body or removing tissue) and generally painless. The hardest part is having to sit or lie still for a long time, and some patients need medicines for claustrophobia. It is a good idea to bring layered clothes, water, and your routine pain medicine.

Computed Tomography (CT)
The CT scanner is a large donut-shaped piece of equipment. This scan combines high-speed X-ray technology with a computer. The patient lies on a table that slides into an opening in the CT machine. The CT scanner circles the head, taking X-rays from every angle. The computer then combines these thousands of X-ray images into a cross-sectional image of the brain (sometimes called a “slice”).

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)*
The MRI scanner is a tunnel-shaped piece of equipment that uses magnets and radio waves to generate pictures of the brain tissue. The patient lies on a table that slides into the scanner, where a magnetic field surrounds the head. MRIs can create two-dimensional or three-dimensional pictures of the brain. Unlike CT scans, MRIs do not use radiation.

Functional MRI (fMRI)*
fMRIs produce MRI images in a faster sequence than traditional MRI. The increased speed shows how oxygen is used in the brain. fMRIs are sometimes used before or during surgery to indicate which areas of the brain control important functions so that the surgeon can avoid disturbing those areas.

Flow-Sensitive MRI (FS MRI)*
This technique combines functional MRI with images of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) (a colorless liquid that fills and surrounds the brain and the spinal cord) flow. FS MRIs are particularly useful in planning surgery to remove a skull base tumor, spinal cord tumor, or a tumor causing hydrocephalus (fluid buildup on the brain).

Dynamic CT or Dynamic MRI (also called perfusion MRI)*
Advances in computer technology have made it possible to use existing scanning equipment to measure cerebral blood volume (CBV), cerebral blood flow (the blood supply to the brain over a certain period of time) (CBF), and blood vessel leakage. The scanner begins taking pictures immediately after contrast is injected, allowing doctors to see the way the contrast material is moving through the blood vessels in the brain. This can be used to detect blood vessel injury, such as a cerebrovascular accident (stroke), and to distinguish between active tumor blood vessels verses injured brain blood vessels.

Angiography and Magnetic Resonance Angiography (MRA)*
Angiography uses rapid X-rays to outline the presence and position of blood vessels in the brain. MRA uses a rapid series of MRI scans to follow the blood flow through the vessels, with or without contrast.

Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS)*
MRS produces images that show function rather than shape. This technique can show patterns of brain activity that may help diagnose specific tumors and conditions. MRS may also be used to determine how advanced a tumor is.

Positron Emission Tomography (PET, FDG-PET)
PET scans are not usually used for diagnosis, but they can help your doctor estimate the tumor’s grade. In some cases, it may also be used to tell the difference between recurrent tumor cells, cells killed by radiation, or scar tissue. The PET machine looks similar to a CT scanner. Before the test, you will ingest a small amount of radioactive material (called a “tracer”), and then wait several hours before being scanned. The areas where the tracer collects will show up as bright spots on the scan. The tracer leaves the body quickly and does not pose a safety risk to you or your loved ones. The radiology facility will provide information before the test.

Single Photon Emission Computerized Tomography (SPECT):
SPECT is not usually used to diagnose brain tumors. However, it sometimes provides data that complements information captured in other scans.

*For these tests, the radiology facility will ask you to complete a form determining if they are safe. For instance, metal objects implanted in your body or kidney disease can pose safety risks. abta.org

Today we are going to be talking about diagnosis and some of the tests and examination that your Doctor may request
so they can be sure that you have a brain tumor.

If your doctor is concerned that a brain tumor is causing your symptoms, your doctor may conduct tests to find out more about the tumor’s size, type, and location. Understanding these tests – how they work, why they are done, and what they can show – can help you be an informed member of your care team. If you have any questions about the tests your doctor is ordering, ask your doctor, nurse, or other health care professional.

As you go through your brain tumor journey, your doctor may repeat some of these tests to find out if the tumor has changed and if it is responding to treatment.

Neurological Exams
A neurological exam is usually the first step toward figuring out what is causing your symptoms. The goal is to see how well your nervous system is working. Because your brain does so many different things, a neurological exam can have many different parts. Your doctor may repeat the neurological exam many times throughout your brain tumor journey, to see whether your symptoms are changing.

During a basic neurological exam, your doctor evaluates how well your nerves, balance, reflexes, strength, and senses are working. Your doctor will also assess your cognitive functioning and mental or emotional state.

Here are some common parts of a neurological test:
Eye test: Check vision, assess how well your eyes follow a moving object, how quickly your pupils react to light, and whether or not your eyes move together when your head turns from side to side. A light may be used to look into your eye and view the ocular (a nerve that runs from the eye to the brain) and retina.
Hearing test: Evaluate your hearing using a ticking watch, tuning fork, or another tool.
Reflex test: Gently tap just below your ankles, kneecaps, and other joints with a rubber hammer to check your reflexes.
Balance and coordination test: Ask you to walk heel to toe; balance with your feet together and eyes closed; or close your eyes, extend your arms out to the side, and touch your nose with the tip of one finger.
Sense of touch test: Ask you to hold an object (like a cotton ball or a paint brush) and describe how it feels.
Sense of smell test: Ask you to describe how something smells, such as rubbing alcohol or a sweet liquid.
Facial muscle test: Ask you to make faces such as a smile, frown, or grimace.
Tongue movement and gag reflex tests: Check your swallow response by asking you to move your tongue and testing your gag reflex.
Head movement test: Move your head into various positions in order to find out more about any issues with balance or mobility.
Mental status tests: Ask questions, such as “What is the current day, season, and year?”
Abstract thinking tests: Ask you to explain a common saying, such as “blood is thicker than water".
Memory tests: Ask you to repeat a list of objects, describe what you ate for breakfast yesterday, or talk about how you celebrated last Christmas or any other important occasions in your life like your birthday.
If your neurological exam results lead your doctor to suspect that a brain tumor is causing your symptoms, your doctor may order additional tests, including imaging, or blood tests. Your doctor may also refer you to a neurologist (a physician who specialises in brain and central nervous system problems) or neuro-oncologist (a doctor who specialises in cancer of the brain and the rest of the nervous system).abta.org

Today on our series we will be talking about Brain Tumor signs and symptoms.

*Please note, if you experience the symptoms indicated below it does not automatically indicate that you have a brain tumor, it means you should consult your doctor if you have these or similar symptoms.
Doctors refer to brain tumour symptoms and signs.*

Symptoms are abnormal changes you have felt.
Signs are what other people have observed about you e.g. that you have a weakness in an arm or leg or are having difficulty with speech.
That’s the easy bit!

Because there are so many different types of brain tumor, there are a number of brain tumor symptoms and signs, depending on the nature of the brain tumor and where it is. And these may be very severe, or may not be apparent at all. So it is a very broad spectrum with which we are dealing. Please remember this if you haven’t been diagnosed with a brain tumor. It is a rare condition and having a headache for more than a week does not mean that you necessarily have a brain tumor.

Brain tumor symptoms

Headaches:

Headaches which are more severe in the morning and wake you in the night. They are usually different from headaches you might have had previously and will be persistent and worsen with time

Nausea and vomiting:

With a headache this can indicate increased pressure in the head (raised intracranial pressure).

Seizures:

A seizure is abnormal electrical impulses in the brain, causing sudden involuntary changes in movement or function, sensation, awareness, or behaviour. A first time seizure in an adult is often investigated.

Weakness, loss of sensation or numbness:

This is a sign of pressure on (or damage to) a specific part of the brain and can also be manifested through walking unsteadily or lack of coordination (ataxia) or muscle weakness on one side of the body (hemiparesis).

Hearing loss:

Could be a sign of an acoustic neuroma if it occurs only on one side.

Loss/disturbance of vision, including double vision In one or both eyes:
This could be a symptom, if there is a tumor pressing on the optic nerve or there is one affecting the visual pathways or if there is raised intracranial pressure.

Speech difficulties :

May also include the loss of ability to write, speak or understand words. A person may have difficulty getting the right words out (expressive dysphasia) or difficulty articulating them (dysarthia).

Other brain tumour symptoms:

Lack of concentration, confusion, memory loss, disorientation, drowsiness, change in behavior. brainstrust.org.uk

Home - Brainstrust, brain tumour charity Five years ago I was diagnosed with a Glioblastoma Multiforme; a type of brain tumour that is uncommon among young people…

As part of our brain tumour awareness and information sharing,the ZBTA will be posting a series of facts about the disease. We will begin this week by explaining what a brain tumour is .We have realized that most people who have never had an experience with a with a brain tumor will not know what a brain tumor is hence we have started our series from there.

What is a Brain Tumour?

A brain tumor is a collection, or mass, of abnormal cells in your brain. Your skull, which encloses your brain, is very rigid. Any growth inside such a restricted space can cause problems. Brain tumors can be cancerous (malignant) or noncancerous (benign). When benign or malignant tumors grow, they can cause the pressure inside your skull to increase. This can cause brain damage, and it can be life-threatening.

Brain tumors are categorized as primary or secondary. A primary brain tumor originates in your brain. Many primary brain tumors are benign. A secondary brain tumor, also known as a metastatic brain tumor, occurs when cancer cells spread to your brain from another organ, such as your lung or breast. www.healthline.com

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Having a Brain Tumour diagnosis is one of the difficult things one can endure, especially with additional challenges and dangers posed by the COVID pandemic. Hope will see us through, Hope that we will survive through the pandemic, and hope that my medical team will get me well again.