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A hypothalamic tumor can be caused by mutated brain cells or cancer spreading from elsewhere in the body. Symptoms range from euphoria to blindness, and treatment plans are individualized. The hypothalamus controls vital functions, and a tumor is life-threatening. Diagnosis involves vision and blood tests, followed by an MRI or CT scan. Treatment options include surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy, with prognosis depending on various factors.
A hypothalamic tumor is a tumor that develops in the hypothalamus, a part of the brain. A tumor can develop on the hypothalamus for two reasons: the cancer spreads from elsewhere in the body or mutated brain cells. The latter cause is more common in children. This type of cancer can have a range of symptoms ranging from feelings of euphoria to blindness. Treatment plans are always individualized depending on the size of the tumor and the root cause.
The hypothalamus controls many unconscious metabolic processes such as hunger, thirst, blood pressure and body temperature. The hypothalamus also works with the pituitary gland in releasing certain hormones. Initial research published in the late 2000s suggests that the structure of the hypothalamus controls one’s sexual orientation. With so many important vital functions controlled by the hypothalamus, a hypothalamic tumor is life-threatening, regardless of the cause.
A hypothalamic tumor can have one of two causes. The first is a mutation in the glial cells of the brain, which are cells in the brain that are not neurons. As of 2011, the exact cause of the glial cell mutation is still unknown, but most researchers agree that genetics and/or a person’s external environment play a role. The second cause is when another form of cancer metastasizes and travels to the hypothalamus.
The symptoms are the same regardless of the root cause. If the tumor develops in infancy, the child stops growing. In adults, blindness, feelings of euphoria, headache and hyperactivity are possible. Seizures can occur in advanced cases. A prolonged period of any of these symptoms should prompt medical attention.
Diagnosing a hypothalamic tumor begins with vision and blood tests. In the latter, a hormonal imbalance can be a sign of cancer. If these tests indicate the presence of cancer, the next step is an MRI or CT scan. A tumor will be visible to doctors and/or technicians interpreting the scan.
Treatment of a hypothalamic tumor depends on a number of factors, including the cause, size, and exact location of the tumor. Surgery may be an option for some patients. Other patients will undergo a combination of radiation and chemotherapy. Advances in radiation therapy have allowed some patients to treat a tumor without damaging surrounding tissue. Prognosis depends on all of these variables; the prognosis is generally less optimistic in adults, as the cancer is more aggressive in older patients.
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