cómo identificar señales de alerta del cerebro por cambios en memoria y carácter

Title: How to Identify Warning Signs of the Brain through Changes in Memory and Character. Profile: Glioma severely affects the elderly; changes in memory and personality are warning signs. Comprehensive treatment is vital.

Glioma is a tumor that originates in the "supporting cells" of the brain (glial cells), growing silently like "roots" in the brain and exhibiting invasive growth. It is the most common type of primary brain tumor. Among gliomas, glioblastoma is the most malignant, developing at a faster rate, thus making it especially important for the elderly to be alert.

This type of tumor is not "age-specific", as it has two age groups with high incidence: young adults aged 30 to 40 and the elderly over 70. The incidence rate in men is slightly higher than in women. In elderly patients, due to some atrophy of the brain, early symptoms are often very subtle, which can lead to delays in diagnosis and treatment, resulting in a relatively low five-year survival rate, making it a life-threatening disease.

- In addition to headaches, these "atypical" signals are more dangerous!

Many believe that the typical symptoms of a brain tumor are intense headaches, projectile vomiting, and aphasia, among others. However, for elderly patients over 70, the initial symptoms often do not follow the usual pattern:

01 Crucial danger signs: drastic changes in personality and memory.

Why is this the case?

The areas of the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain are key to regulating our personality, emotions, and memory. When a tumor invades or exerts pressure on these areas, it directly damages the "circuit" that regulates emotions and memory formation, leading to the mentioned symptoms. The proportion of elderly patients presenting psychiatric symptoms at the onset of the disease is considerably higher than that of younger patients, with seizures being relatively rare.

If the elderly develop glioma, treatment options may still be possible, depending on various factors including the type, size, location of the glioma, and the overall health of the patient. Common treatment methods include surgical resection, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. Surgery aims to remove the tumor as completely as possible, while radiotherapy and chemotherapy are used to control tumor growth and alleviate symptoms. Additionally, physicians may consider emerging methods such as targeted therapy and immunotherapy. It is recommended to communicate closely with a specialized oncologist to develop a personalized treatment plan.

Although the treatment of high-grade gliomas (especially glioblastoma) is complicated, modern medicine has developed personalized and comprehensive treatment approaches aimed at prolonging survival and improving quality of life whenever possible, while preserving neurological function.

01 Surgical Treatment: Key Fundamentals

Whenever the body's conditions allow, surgery remains the first option. The goal is to safely remove the tumor to the greatest extent possible, laying the foundation for subsequent treatments.

02 Comprehensive Treatment: Multiple Approaches to Control the Tumor.

(1) Combined postoperative treatment: usually after surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy are combined to eliminate remaining tumor cells.

New technologies bring new hopes:

Electric field treatment for tumors: this non-invasive therapy uses devices that generate a specific electric field to inhibit the division of tumor cells. For elderly patients who do not tolerate chemotherapy well, this treatment is an important complement. Studies have shown that electric field therapy, combined with chemotherapy, can extend the median survival of glioblastoma patients to 20.9 months, increasing the five-year survival rate to 13%, which represents a significant advancement in treatment.

Localized therapy: a precise attack on tumors with specific genetic mutations.

03 Treatment: Weighing Pros and Cons, Focusing on Quality of Life.

Treating elderly patients requires special consideration of physical tolerance, seeking the best balance between antitumor treatment and maintaining a good quality of life. Although achieving a complete cure is currently difficult, through long-term scientific management, tumor survival can be achieved.

- How to prevent it? What to do if a family member presents abnormal symptoms?

Although the exact cause of brain glioma is unknown, maintaining a healthy lifestyle can help reduce risk.

01 Stay away from high-risk factors.

Avoid exposure to high doses of ionizing radiation and toxic chemicals, and pay attention to workplace protection. Reduce the time spent carrying a mobile phone close to the body.

02 Promote good habits

The diet should be light and balanced, with a high intake of fresh fruits and vegetables and high-quality proteins, reducing the intake of processed and fried foods. Maintain a regular schedule, abstain from smoking, and limit alcohol consumption, avoiding prolonged sleeplessness and excessive stress. It is important to engage in moderate exercise consistently to strengthen the immune system.

- The most important action guide.

If an elderly person at home experiences a "drastic change in personality" or an "abrupt decline in memory" within a short period (a few weeks or months), it should not simply be attributed to "aging" or "senile dementia". They should be taken to a specialist in neurosurgery or neurology immediately for a CT scan or MRI. Early detection, timely diagnosis, and prompt intervention are the most crucial steps to improve prognosis.