A parietal lobe tumor is a growth of cells within the parietal lobe. These tumors can be primary, originating in the brain, or metastatic, spreading from cancer elsewhere in the body. As a tumor grows, it creates pressure on surrounding tissue, leading to symptoms that reflect the lobe’s functions. The tumor’s size and growth rate influence the nature and severity of these effects.
The Role of the Parietal Lobe
The parietal lobe, situated behind the frontal lobe, is the brain’s primary center for processing sensory information. It interprets sensations like touch, temperature, pressure, and pain from the body. This region allows you to distinguish between textures, identify the warmth of a cup, or feel the sharpness of an object without seeing it.
Beyond sensation, the parietal lobe handles spatial awareness and navigation. It helps you judge distances, understand your body’s position, and coordinate movements like reaching for an object. This function acts as an internal GPS. The lobe also integrates information from different senses, combining what you see with what you touch, and is involved in aspects of language, reading, and mathematics.
Symptoms of a Parietal Lobe Tumor
Symptoms are linked to the disruption of the lobe’s functions. A common sign is a change in sensation, such as numbness, tingling, or weakness, on the side of the body opposite the tumor. A person might also have difficulty recognizing objects by touch alone, a condition known as tactile agnosia.
Disruptions to spatial processing can cause individuals to struggle with judging distances, navigating familiar places, or hand-eye coordination. This may appear as clumsiness, difficulty with tasks like dressing or drawing, or problems with driving. In some cases, a condition called hemispatial neglect may develop, where a person is unaware of one side of their body or the space around it.
Language and cognitive functions can also be affected. A tumor may cause trouble with reading, writing, or understanding spoken words. A person might struggle to find the right words or have difficulty with calculations. Another symptom is apraxia, the inability to perform familiar, purposeful movements despite having the physical ability to do so. For example, someone might not be able to brush their teeth or use a tool correctly.
The Diagnostic Process
Diagnosis begins with a neurological examination where a physician assesses various functions. This exam includes testing muscle strength, coordination, reflexes, and the ability to feel different sensations. The doctor will also evaluate vision, speech, and memory for deficits related to the parietal lobe.
If the exam suggests a brain tumor, the next step is brain imaging. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) provides detailed pictures of the tumor’s size, location, and its effect on surrounding structures. A Computed Tomography (CT) scan may be used as an alternative, particularly in emergencies, to get a quick view of the brain and check for bleeding or swelling.
While imaging confirms a mass, a biopsy is often necessary for a definitive diagnosis. During a biopsy, a small sample of tumor tissue is surgically removed and examined by a pathologist. This analysis determines the specific tumor type and its grade, which indicates how quickly it is likely to grow and informs the treatment plan.
Medical Treatment Strategies
Treatment for a parietal lobe tumor is tailored to the individual based on the tumor’s type, size, location, grade, and the patient’s overall health. The goals are to remove or destroy the tumor, slow its growth, and manage symptoms. Often, a combination of therapies is used.
Surgery (craniotomy) is a common treatment if the tumor is accessible. The goal is to remove the entire tumor, but if it is near sensitive brain areas, the surgeon will remove as much as is safely possible to avoid damaging healthy tissue. Removing even a portion of the tumor can alleviate pressure and reduce symptoms.
For tumors that cannot be completely removed surgically, or for inoperable ones, radiation therapy and chemotherapy are principal options. Radiation uses high-energy beams to destroy cancer cells, while chemotherapy uses drugs. These can be used after surgery to eliminate remaining cells or as the main treatment. Supportive care helps manage symptoms and improve function, and includes:
- Medications like steroids to reduce brain swelling.
- Physical therapy.
- Occupational therapy.
- Speech therapy.