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Seizure: Early Brain Cancer Warning Sign?
28 Apr
Summary
- A first seizure can indicate short-term cancer risk within a year.
- Adult seizures may signal non-neurological cancers, like lung cancer.
- Prompt evaluation of a first seizure is crucial for early diagnosis.
An international research team has highlighted a potential early warning sign for brain cancer: a first-time seizure in adulthood. This abnormal electrical activity in the brain, experienced by about 1 in 10 US adults at some point, could be among the first indicators of the disease.
A study published in JAMA Neurology analyzed nearly 49,900 Danish adults. It found that first-time seizures were associated with a short-term risk of developing cancer within a year, along with a slightly elevated long-term risk. Experts explain that tumors or swelling in the brain cortex can provoke seizures by disrupting electrical activity or increasing pressure.
Interestingly, the study also revealed that a first adult seizure might indicate non-neurological cancers. Lung, bronchial, and tracheal cancers showed the largest associated risks. This connection is thought to occur when developing cancers, even elsewhere in the body, cause metastatic disease in the brain.
While the immediate risk of cancer after a seizure is significant, medical professionals advise approaching such an event with urgency rather than panic. Seizures can stem from various factors like electrolyte imbalances, inflammation, or breathing issues. However, a first-time seizure is a serious event that could signal an underlying issue, and missing this early window may delay critical diagnoses.
