Every year on June 8th, World Brain Tumor Day is commemorated. The German Brain Tumor Association initiated this campaign, which is now celebrated globally to raise awareness and educate people about brain tumours. There are many misconceptions and misunderstandings concerning brain tumours among the general public, so we’ll use this chance to debunk some of them.
Where do brain tumours begin and spread?
A brain tumour is an abnormal mass of cells in the brain. Brain tumours are divided into two categories: benign and malignant.
Primary brain tumours begin in the brain and usually remain there
Secondary brain tumours are more prevalent. These malignancies begin elsewhere in your body and spread to your brain. The most frequent cancers that spread to the brain include lung, kidney, colon, breast and skin cancers. Some brain tumours have cancer cells in them, but others don’t.
What causes a brain tumor?
The majority of brain tumours are unknown to doctors. Gene mutations (changes) or abnormalities can promote uncontrollable cell growth in the brain, resulting in a tumour.
Exposure to high levels of radiation from X-rays or past cancer treatment is the only proven environmental cause of brain tumours. When inherited diseases are passed down through the generations, certain brain tumours can develop.
Brain Tumour Symptoms
The symptoms of brain tumours differ depending on the kind and location of the tumour. Because various parts of the brain govern different bodily activities, the location of the tumour has an impact on the symptoms you experience.
Some tumours are asymptomatic until they reach a certain size, at which point they cause a significant and quick deterioration in health. Other cancers may have slow-developing symptoms.
Common symptoms could be:
- Headaches that are persistent or severe, or that arise in the morning or disappear after vomiting.
- Changes in behaviour or personality.
- Confusion.
- Problems with balance and coordination.
- Difficulty in focusing.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Numbness, tingling, or weakness in one side or section of the body or face.
- Hearing, vision, or speech difficulties.
- Abnormal sleepiness.
- Memory, thinking, speaking, and understanding language problems
- Seizures, especially in someone who has never had a seizure before.
How is a Brain tumour diagnosed?
Several tests are used by doctors to confirm the existence of a brain tumour. These tests include the following:
- Physical examination
- Biopsy
- Neurological examination
- Imaging tests – CTs, MRI, PET scans
- Spinal Tap
The Treatment of Brain Cancer
The kind and grade of cancer, its location, size, and your age and health will all influence your therapy.
- The most common therapy is surgery. It may be sufficient for grade 1 tumours. It’s feasible to get rid of all of the cancer. Even if it isn’t, surgery can help reduce the size of the tumour and alleviate symptoms.
- After surgery, radiation treatment is utilised to eliminate any remaining tumour cells in the region. If surgery isn’t an option, radiation therapy may be your sole alternative.
- Chemotherapy is occasionally used to eliminate cancerous cells in the brain. It’s administered by mouth, IV, or, less frequently, in wafers implanted in the brain by a surgeon.
- Certain forms of brain cancers can be treated with targeted treatment. These drugs target particular components of cancer cells and aid in the prevention of tumour growth and dissemination.
- Combined therapies may be recommended by your doctor.
Conclusion:
If you have cancer, it’s critical that you stick to your treatment plan, collaborate with your doctor, and attend all of your planned visits. In most situations, rehabilitation and assistance from friends and family are necessary for the patient’s best prognosis. For more information on the diagnosis and treatment of brain tumours in Hyderabad, visit Error! Hyperlink reference not valid.