A brain tumor is an abnormal growth of cells in your brain. It may be cancerous or non-cancerous. The two main types are primary and secondary brain tumors. Primary brain tumors originate from the cells of your brain. Secondary brain tumors are cancers that have spread from other parts of your body.
There are different types of brain tumors, according to the cells they originate. Brain tumors can cause a wide range of symptoms. The brain tumor symptoms usually depend on the size, location, and type of tumor.
An MRI scan of the brain will help to detect a brain tumor. You will need a biopsy to know the type of tumor as well as its nature.
Brain Tumor Surgery is the most common treatment for a brain tumor. Radiation therapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy are also other brain tumor treatment options.
The success of the treatment will depend on the type and grade of the tumor.
Brain Tumor Symptoms
The brain tumors ymptoms vary with the type and location of the tumor. Some of the main ones are: Headaches- Headaches are very severe. It tends to get worse with activity early in the morning Seizures- In some, this will be the first sign of the tumor.
There will be convulsions with or without loss of consciousness :
- A change in personality - A change in personality and behaviour can occur due to a brain tumor. Getting irritated very quickly, a sudden change in mood, etc. are some of them. These occur due to the pressure or irritation of some parts of the brain by the tumor.
- Memory issues - You may find it difficult to recall the names of people and things. Short-term memory loss is also widespread.
- Feeling of confusion - You may find it difficult to plan things as well as feel distracted. Nausea and vomiting without a reason Feeling tiredness and drowsy Difficulty in performing daily activities including walking Consulting the best neurosurgeon are highly advisable to detect the symptoms in the early stage.
Causes of Brain Tumor
Primary brain tumors occur when some cells in your brain divide uncontrollably. What exactly causes this is not very clear. Your brain cell may undergo some changes in their genetic structure, making them divide faster.
Secondary brain tumors are cancers that spread from other parts of your body. Cancer of the lung, breast, liver, kidneys, etc. is more likely to spread to the brain.
Risk factors
Some factors increase your risk of getting brain tumors. Some of them are:
- Your age- Brain tumors are more common in the elderly and children.
- Family history - If anyone in your immediate family has a history of brain tumors, you are at risk.
- Exposure to radiation - If you have a history of exposure to radiation, your risk increases significantly.
Diagnosis of Brain Tumor
If you have any of the symptoms of a brain tumor, your doctor will suggest a few tests. The common ones are: Brain MRI A brain MRI with contrast gives a very good idea of the tumour. It helps to get the size, site, spread, surrounding structures and the type of the tumour.
Brain tumours are of two types – Benign or Non-cancerous and Malignant or Cancerous. The confirmation of the type is done by Biopsy. Unlike tumours of other parts of the body, in the brain, the biopsy is mostly done along with brain tumor surgery.
Treatment of Brain Tumor
Your brain tumor treatment will depend on whether your tumor is cancerous or not. Benign brain tumors do not grow as fast as cancers. Also, they do not spread to other parts of your body or come back after removal. Your symptoms occur according to the size, type, and location of the tumor.
Small tumors are best left alone. Your neurosurgeon will ask you to have periodic MRI scans to know whether it is growing in size. If your tumor is large, your doctor will consider brain tumor surgery to remove it altogether.
If brain tumor surgery is not possible, you will have radiation therapy to shrink the tumor. It will help to reduce the symptom that you have.
Treatment for malignant brain tumours
If you have a malignant brain tumour, you’ll generally need brain tumor surgery to remove as much of it as possible. Radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy may then be used to treat any residual cancerous tissue.
