Glioblastomas are some of the most aggressive types of cancer. Getting such a diagnosis can be quite a shock. If you’ve received a diagnosis of glioblastoma or another kind of brain cancer, you might wonder, “What causes brain cancer, anyway? Why did it start growing in my body?”
While there are integrative cancer treatments that have proven effective in stopping the growth of even the fastest-growing types of brain cancer, including glioblastomas, it’s only natural to want to protect your family and loved ones from the shock that comes from such a diagnosis.
In this post, we will discuss some of the latest research on various brain cancers, their causes, and natural treatment options that have proven effective on malignant brain tumor cells.
What Is Brain Cancer?
Brain cancer includes a broad range of malignant brain tumors. Brain tumors, as the Mayo Clinic points out, aren’t necessarily cancerous. Although all brain tumors are growths of abnormal cells in the brain, a benign tumor grows slowly, with smooth, regular borders.
Malignant (cancerous) tumors, however, grow quickly, have irregular borders, and can spread to other parts of the body. Benign tumors can grow large, but they will not spread into other brain tissues or other parts of the body.
Some brain cancers begin in the brain or in nearby tissue. These malignant brain tumors, called “primary brain tumors,” start when normal cells’ DNA mutates into an abnormal form. These mutations drive the cells’ abnormally fast growth.
These tumors are the most common types of primary brain cancer and include:
- Gliomas, including glioblastomas, which begin in the brain or spinal cord
- Meningiomas, rarely cancerous tumors which start in the meninges, the membranes that surround the spinal cord and brain
- Pituitary adenomas, rarely cancerous tumors begin in the pituitary gland that lies at the base of the brain
- Medulloblastomas, tumors that start in the lower rear part of the brain and spread using the spinal fluid and are more common in children
- Germ cell brain tumors, which usually develop in late childhood in the suprasellar or pineal regions of the brain
Other brain cancers, called “secondary brain tumors,” develop when cancers in other parts of the body metastasize and spread to the brain. Most commonly, secondary brain cancers arise from breast, colon, kidney, and lung malignancies and a fast-spreading skin cancer, melanoma.
Glioblastomas are the most aggressive of all brain cancers and usually have a poor prognosis. However, some non-toxic options that have slowed or stopped the growth of glioblastoma cells are available.
What Are the Risk Factors for Brain Cancer?
Although researchers haven’t determined the exact causes of brain cancer, studies show that several risk factors exist. They include:
High-dose ionizing radiation
As a 2017 medical literature review shows, “the overall risk of developing GBM following radiotherapy is 2.5%.” However, even low doses of radiation in infants and children who undergo treatment for skin hemangiomas or tinea capitis can develop gliomas of various kinds, the review points out.
Cancers in other parts of the body
Metastasis is always a concern when cancer occurs in any part of the body. That’s why early diagnosis and treatment are critical for a better chance of successful treatment.
A family history of brain cancer
While it’s rare to have brain cancer occurring from generation to generation, it is a factor in some cancers. Again, proactive screening for people with such a history is essential for early detection and subsequent treatments.
Certain inherited conditions
Although research shows that only 5% of brain tumors arise from inherited conditions, it is well worth extra screening precautions in people with these rare genetic-driven conditions:
- Basal cell nevus syndrome
- Cowden syndrome
- Familial adenomatous polyposis
- Li-Fraumeni syndrome
- Lynch syndrome
- Neurofibromatosis Type 1
- Tuberous sclerosis
- Von Hippel-Lindau disease
Glioblastomas & Being Male
Although doctors have known about the link between being male and the likelihood of developing glioblastomas for decades, new research reports that women and men actually react differently to glioblastoma treatments. A 2019 National Cancer Institute report revealed that women respond better to standard chemotherapy for glioblastoma.
Glioblastomas in men and women have “different molecular profiles,” the study shows. These differences at the microscopic level could account for male bodies’ lackluster response to traditional treatment, making natural treatment options a viable choice, especially for male glioblastoma patients.
What Other Factors Might Cause Brain Cancer and Glioblastomas?
A 2008 medical literature review published in African Health Sciences, a journal focusing on health issues particular to the African continent, revealed a startling jump in brain tumors in African people in the last few decades.
While speculation pointed to radiofrequency signals from cell phones and high-tension wires, hair dye usage, and exposure to N-nitrosourea compounds in foods, not enough studies exist to prove a correlation, let alone causation. However, the study mentioned, none of the studies on cell phone usage “evaluate[d] the risks among long-term, heavy users and for potentially long induction periods.”
However, exposure to N-nitrosourea compounds in foods has shown to be carcinogenic in animal studies, particularly in brain cancer development. These compounds cross the blood-brain barrier and have a propensity for mutagenesis, making their role in brain cancer development highly likely, even though no human studies have shown the same result.
In addition, the rise of HIV/AIDS, the review showed, played a role in the development of primary brain lymphomas. Patients with an AIDS diagnosis, therefore, should have regular screening visits to detect any brain cancers before they progress to later stages.
What Alternative Treatment Options Do Brain Cancer Patients Have?
Intravenous vitamin C therapy
That same African review referenced the consumption of fruits, vegetables, and vitamin C as holding promise for cancer patients. A 2018 case report showed that vitamin C could indeed help to extend the life of glioblastoma patients.
The report described a 55-year-old woman with glioblastoma who combined traditional therapies with intravenous vitamin C therapy. With glioblastomas’ average survival period of around eight months, her 4-year survival after diagnosis indicates that vitamin C, given intravenously, shows great promise as an integrative brain cancer treatment. A “small trial” with other glioblastoma patients confirmed that theory, showing a significant increase in median survival.
Quercetin
The fruits and vegetables that the African review we mentioned earlier likely contain quercetin, a flavonoid that occurs naturally in a broad range of fruits and vegetables. Studies show that quercetin increases the sensitivity of some glioblastoma cell lines to TMZ, a widely used cancer medication, and induced cell death in a glioblastoma cell line.
Mistletoe extract
Another intravenous treatment for brain cancer, mistletoe extract, performed superbly in several trials, stimulating the body’s immune system to respond naturally, increasing the survival rate in astrocytoma patients with stage 3 and 4 tumors.
Discover More About Natural Treatments for Brain Cancer
These therapies are only a few of the natural brain cancer treatments we offer at Brio-Medical Cancer Treatment Center. If you’re living with glioblastoma or another type of brain cancer, discover which therapies might work best for you. Schedule your free consultation with our caring staff today!
External references:
Alyx Porter, M.D., “Brain tumor.” Mayo Clinic, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/brain-tumor/symptoms-causes/syc-20350084. Accessed August 27, 2022.
“Benign Tumor.” Cleveland Clinic, https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22121-benign-tumor. Accessed August 29, 2022.
“Germ Cell Tumors (Brain).” St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, https://www.stjude.org/disease/germ-cell-tumors-brain.html. Accessed August 29, 2022.
Hanif, Farina et al. “Glioblastoma Multiforme: A Review of its Epidemiology and Pathogenesis through Clinical Presentation and Treatment.” Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention: APJCP vol. 18,1 3-9. 1 Jan. 2017, doi:10.22034/APJCP.2017.18.1.3
“Brain Tumors and Brain Cancer.” Johns Hopkins Medicine, https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/brain-tumor. Accessed August 29, 2022.
“Glioblastoma Causes.” Moffitt Cancer Center, https://moffitt.org/cancers/glioblastoma/diagnosis/causes/. Accessed August 27, 2022.
“Glioblastoma Study Highlights Sex Differences in Brain Cancer”
January 30, 2019, by NCI Staff National Cancer Institute, https://www.cancer.gov/news-events/cancer-currents-blog/2019/glioblastoma-treatment-response-differs-by-sex.
Idowu, Olufemi E, and Mopelola A Idowu. “Environmental causes of childhood brain tumors.” African health sciences vol. 8,1 (2008): 1-4.
Baillie, Nicola, et al. “The Use of Intravenous Vitamin C as a Supportive Therapy for a Patient with Glioblastoma Multiforme.” Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland) vol. 7,9 115. 30 Aug. 2018, doi:10.3390/antiox7090115
Sang, Dp., Li, Rj. & Lan, Q. “Quercetin sensitizes human glioblastoma cells to temozolomide in vitro via inhibition of Hsp27.” Acta Pharmacol Sin vol 35, 832–838 (2014), doi:0.1038/aps.2014.22
