Traumatic Brain Injuries May Increase the Risk of Brain Tumors

According to a recent report, researchers from the University College London’s (UCL) Cancer Institute have found a new link between head injuries and brain tumors. While this finding may be frightening to many who have experienced skull or brain injuries, it shows the reality of what these types of injuries can do to your brain.

The researchers at UCL found that brain injuries may lead to the development of a specific type of tumor. The tumor is called a glioma, which begins as a small “growth of cells that starts in the brain or spinal cord.” Most of the time, these cells are unnoticeable as they look very similar to normal brain cells that go by the name of glial cells. However, as the abnormal growth of cells continues to grow, it forms into a tumor. As a result, the tumor presses on the brain and causes various unwanted symptoms.

While glial cells are typically no cause for concern, the researchers found that the more mature cells, commonly referred to as astrocytes, experienced changes after a head injury. In fact, after long periods of time, the cells turned into glioma cells that were able to divide.

Professor Simona Parrinello stated that this means “inflammation as a result of severe brain injury can result in mutations in certain genes.” As a result of these changes, astrocytes become more likely to cause cancer.

After determining this information, the researchers started evaluating the medical records of more than 20,000 patients who received a head injury diagnosis. They found that patients who had a head injury were “four times more likely to develop brain cancer later in life, than those without head trauma.”

What are common causes of brain injuries?

The Brain Injury Association of America states that more than five million people in the United States are living with permanent brain injuries, and over three million people suffer traumatic brain injuries annually. These brain injuries come from many different causes, such as:

• Slip and falls
• Motor vehicle accidents
• Sports accidents
• Violence
• Medical malpractice
• Combat injuries and explosions
• Workplace accidents

Are there different types of brain injuries?

There are several different types of brain injuries. Therefore, when you experience any type of blow to the head, your doctor will assess your symptoms and determine what type of brain injury you may have. The following are some of the most common types of brain injuries:

• Traumatic brain injuries
• Closed head injuries
• Concussions
• Penetrating head injuries
• Hemorrhages
• Edemas
• Hematomas
• Skull fractures
• Diffuse axonal injuries

The symptoms of a brain injury

Any type of brain injury is very dangerous. The reason for this is because the symptoms may take a long time to show up or can be different for each person. Therefore, if you or someone you know has hit their head on any object, it is recommended to get medical attention as quickly as possible. This will allow a doctor to learn about your symptoms and make sure that you do not have a brain injury before it is too late. Here are a few common symptoms that a person with a brain injury may experience:

• Severe headache
• Confusion
• Feeling lightheaded
• Dizziness
• Vision issues
• Feeling tired
• Inability to sleep
• Ringing in the ears
• Mood changes
• Memory issues
• Inability to focus or concentrate
• Dilated pupils
• Nausea or vomiting
• Seizures
• Numbing feelings

While many people who have brain injuries experience different symptoms, the most common symptom reported is a headache. Therefore, if you have a headache after bumping your head, you should consider getting checked out by a medical professional.

How is a brain injury treated?

Medical treatment for a brain injury can be extensive and ongoing. Some patients may be able to fully recover within a few weeks or months, while others may take years to show any progress. The most common medical procedures that a doctor may use to treat a brain injury include:

• Surgeries: Doctors will typically suggest surgeries to relieve pressure from the brain and to repair any damage that they can see.
• Rehabilitation: Patients with brain injuries may be required to participate in various therapies to help them recover and learn how to complete their daily duties again. Some therapies that may be suggested are physical therapy, occupational therapy, psychological therapy, speech therapy, cognitive therapy, and more.
• Medications: Those who have been diagnosed with a brain injury may need to take medications for several years. This will not only help treat their injury but can also prevent complications from emerging. A few of the common complications that medication can prevent are blood clots, muscle spasms, mood changes, and more.

How can a Columbus personal injury attorney help?

If you have suffered a brain injury due to someone’s negligence or intentional act, it is crucial that you take the time to find a Columbus personal injury attorney that fits your needs. At Soroka & Associates, we have the skills and experience to handle these complex cases. Therefore, if you schedule a free consultation with us, we will listen to your story, answer any questions or concerns, look over the facts of your claim, and determine if it is viable. If we believe that your claim is viable, we will file a personal injury lawsuit on your behalf and begin collecting evidence to build a strong argument against the responsible party.

While you focus on healing, we will fight for the amount of compensation you deserve. Some of the losses that you may be able to receive compensation for are:

• Lost income
• Medical bills
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional trauma
• Home modifications
• Rehabilitation
• Hired services

Our Columbus personal injury lawyers at Soroka & Associates have been helping clients with brain injuries for years, and we are willing and ready to do the same for you. We believe that brain injuries are almost always avoidable. Therefore, we work hard to hold individuals accountable for their actions as well as ensure that victims of these injuries have the resources to move forward with their lives. Call our office or submit our contact form to schedule a free consultation today.