When a number of cells start growing in and around the brain, it is called a brain tumour. Your brain is surrounded by the skull, which makes the space inside very rigid, and any growth inside the skull is considered problematic. It is not necessary that all tumours are cancerous. Some can be malignant (cancerous) or benign (non-cancerous). However, both can be life-threatening if not treated on time. Furthermore, brain tumours can be divided into two categories - primary brain tumours and secondary brain tumours.
Primary brain tumours are usually benign and originate in the brain, whereas secondary brain tumours occur when abnormal cells spread to the brain from other organs such as lungs, liver, etc. Brain tumours vary in size - some are very small, as they are found as soon as the person starts to experience symptoms. However, brain tumours grow in size if left unattended and can be life-threatening. The treatment depends on the type of brain tumour, its location, and size.
In this blog, we will discuss all about brain tumours and their treatment.
What are the Signs and Symptoms of Brain Tumour?
Some people don't experience any symptoms of brain tumours when the tumours are small. So, the signs and symptoms depend on the size and type of the tumour. Also, the symptoms depend on how fast the tumour is growing. Below are some brain tumour symptoms:
- Dizziness or headaches, especially in the morning.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Severe and frequent headaches.
- Migraine.
- Blurry vision, seeing double, or losing eyesight on the side vision.
- Extreme tiredness.
- Trouble balancing.
- Speech problem.
- Vertigo.
- Loss of bowel movement.
- Losing movement or sensation in a leg or an arm.
- Confusion and memory loss.
- Having trouble carrying out simple tasks.
- Personality and behavioural changes.
- Hearing problem.
- Seizures, even with no history of seizures.
- Gaining weight.
- Feeling hungry very frequently.
Non-cancerous tumours do not quickly show symptoms. Sometimes, they might cause subtle symptoms that grow slowly and worsen if the person does not seek medical attention. On the other hand, cancerous tumours can grow and spread quickly, causing sudden symptoms that worsen rapidly.
What Causes Brain Tumour?
It is known that a brain tumour develops when certain genes on the cell chromosomes are damaged. However, the reason why this happens is not yet known. The DNA in the brain cells is responsible for telling the body what it must do and when. When these DNA changes occur, they start giving the body a new set of instructions. As a result, the body grows new abnormal cells that grow and spread rapidly. When these ever-growing cells take place in the brain, they occupy space, causing complications.
In some cases, people are born with such abnormal cells. This may be caused due to exposure to radiation during pregnancy. According to the CDC, exposure to radiation of over 0.5 Gy can be severe, and developing a tumour is one of the major health consequences. Additionally, environmental injuries to the genes, such as the mother consuming drugs, experiencing stress, and exposure to certain chemicals, can cause tumours. Furthermore, there are some inherited cases of brain tumours which include:
- Neurofibromatosis Type 1
- Neurofibromatosis Type 2
- Gorlin Syndrome
- Turcot Syndrome
- Tuberous Sclerosis Complex
- Li-Fraumeni Syndrome
How are Brain Tumours Diagnosed at Hinduja Hospitals?
Treatment of brain tumours can be very complicated; thus, it requires proper diagnosis and the involvement of specialists. If someone is experiencing symptoms such as dizziness, frequent headaches, loss of balance, etc., they must visit a doctor at the earliest. It is best to consult a certified doctor who can handle such sensitive cases properly. At Hinduja Hospital, we have doctors who specialise in diagnosing and treating tumours.
Upon visiting the doctor, they’ll ask about the symptoms, medical history, current medication, health update, family medical history, etc. They’ll perform neurological tests to check vision, reflexes, hearing, mental status, and the ability to maintain balance and stability. These tests point to the affected part of the brain. If the doctor suspects the person to have a brain tumour, they will ask to do the following tests:
- MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) - MRI is considered the best imaging test to diagnose tumours. Before the test, a dye will be injected through a catheter. This produces a clear image of the brain, which helps in determining the exact size and location of the tumour. To get a clearer image, sometimes, the doctor might suggest doing a special MRI called functional MRI. This shows the part of the brain that controls speech, movement, and other important tasks.
- Lumbar Puncture - This test is done when the doctor suspects the tumour to have invaded the layers of the brain. The doctor removes the cerebrospinal fluid from around the spine and tests it to look for cancer cells.
- Biopsy - Biopsy is done to identify the type of tumour and see if it is cancerous. This is usually done during surgery. But if the tumour is too deep inside the brain, the doctor will drill a small hole, big enough to take a sample and do the test.
How are Brain Tumours Treated at Hinduja Hospitals?
Treatment of brain tumours depends on whether the tumour is cancerous or non-cancerous. It also depends on the size, location, and grade of the brain tumour. There are many treatment options, but the doctor selects the appropriate treatment based on the patient’s overall health. The following are the brain tumour treatment options for brain tumours:
- Brain Surgery or Craniotomy - Brain tumour surgery is performed to remove tumours. Sometimes, the surgery is conducted while the patient is awake to minimise damage to functional areas. However, they won't feel pain as the doctors will administer anaesthesia to numb the operation area.
- Radiosurgery - Radiosurgery is performed using highly focused gamma or proton beams to destroy the tumour without requiring any incision.
- Radiation Therapy - This treatment uses high doses of X-rays to destroy or shrink tumour cells.
- Chemotherapy - The doctor administers anticancer drugs to kill cancer cells in the brain and any potential spread to other areas. The patient might receive the drugs via IV, injection, or pill. This is usually recommended after surgery to eliminate any cancerous cells left behind.
- Brachytherapy - Brachytherapy involves using radiation therapy. The doctor places radioactive seeds, capsules, or other implants surgically in or around the affected area.
- Immunotherapy - Also known as biologic therapy, this treatment utilises the body’s immune system to fight against cancer.
- Targeted Therapy - Targeted therapy focuses on specific features of cancer cells, preventing damage to healthy cells. This is recommended when a patient has difficulty tolerating the side effects of chemotherapy.
- Shunts - A shunt is a thin tube placed surgically in the brain. This is done when the tumour causes excessive pressure within the skull, to drain excess cerebrospinal fluid.
Doctors also recommend palliative care, which involves providing symptom relief, comfort, and support to people with serious illnesses, as well as offering support to caregivers.
Conclusion
Learning that a person has cancer is scary and stressful, even though not all brain cancers are malignant. However, no matter how benign the cancer is, it can cause complications and problems that affect the overall health of the person. It is advised to see a certified Neurosurgeon to ensure they receive proper care and efficient treatment. They will diagnose and develop a personalised treatment plan, as the treatment depends on the type of brain tumour. Undergoing thorough treatment can help the patient improve their quality of life and lifespan.
At Hinduja Hospitals, we have high-end technologies that effectively helps us treat brain cancer. As a leading multi-speciality hospital in Mumbai, we focus on providing equal treatment to all our patients. Visit Hinduja Hospital to get the best brain tumour treatment in Mumbai.
FAQs
Q1. What is the survival rate for brain tumours?
Ans. The survival rate varies for each brain tumour, depending on the patient’s age and overall health. To understand what to expect with the diagnosis, it is best to talk to the healthcare provider.
Q2. Can brain tumours be prevented?
Ans. Brain tumours cannot be prevented, but the risk can be reduced by avoiding smoking, drugs, and excessive radiation exposure.
Q3. Can brain tumours be cured?
Ans. Whether a tumour can be cured or if the patient will eventually pass away due to the condition depends on the type of tumour.
