Tumour results from an abnormal growth of cells in a certain part of the body. And when this happens in the brain, it causes brain tumour. Due to its presence in such a critical location, it has been a major challenge for the medical community. It is quite prevalent too. As per studies, brain tumour comprises of 2.4% of all tumours detected. Although not all brain tumours are cancerous (malignant), there is a need to raise awareness around it. And to know more about it, Onlymyhealth spoke to Dr. Ashish Bhange, Consultant Radiation Oncologist, HCG NCHRI Cancer Centre, Nagpur.

Brain Tumour Types

Generally, it is of two types: benign, i.e. non-cancerous, and malignant, which means cancerous tumours.

Benign Brain Tumour:

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• It is a non-cancerous tumour.
• It grows slowly and generally needs to be treated when it produces pressure symptoms.
• It needs to be treated only when the symptoms are progressive or the tumour is located in a critical area. 
• Examples of benign brain tumour are meningioma, schwannoma, etc.
• Among adults, about 70% of brain tumours detected are benign in nature, according to Dr Bhange.

Malignant Brain Tumour:

• These are cancerous in nature.
• As opposed to the benign kind, malignant tumours are aggressive in nature and grow rapidly both in terms of size and numbers. 
• This kind of tumour needs prompt treatment and delay can be life-threatening.
• Among children, it is the second most common cancer after blood cancer.

What Causes Brain Tumour?

The exact cause for a brain tumour hasn’t been established. However, some factors are believed to play a role. Such factors include:

• Hereditary disorders
• Excessive exposure to radiation therapy
• Excessive exposure to fertilisers, pesticides, and radiation of cellular devices.

Symptoms Of Brain Tumour

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Following are some of the symptoms of a brain tumour:

• A progressive and relapsing headache is the most frequently seen symptom.
• Every headache cannot be misunderstood with a brain tumour. Such tumour induced headache usually worsens at night or early morning and is usually associated with nausea and vomiting.
• Seizures
• Behavior change
• Weakness in the limbs
• Deterioration in vision or hearing

If you experience any of these symptoms, you must consult a doctor to determine the underlying cause.

What Are The Diagnosis And Treatment Like?

An MRI scan or a CT scan is generally used to diagnose a brain tumour. Also, “recent advances in imaging techniques such as MRS, Functional MRI, PET scan have redefined diagnostic modalities for brain tumours,” Dr Bhange said. 

Regarding the treatment for a brain tumour, neurosurgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy are considered as the three pillars of brain tumour treatment. Also, the recent advances in neurosurgery has resulted in more efficient removal of brain tumors. Also, as you already know that radiation therapy is one of the pillars on which the treatment for brain tumours is based. With the advancement in the field, such radiation techniques have been developed that certain tumours can be removed without any surgical intervention, the doctor said. Chemotherapy is another such cornerstone. 

Also read: Brain Tumour Management: Tips To Manage Brain Tumour Patients, As Told By The Neurosurgeon

With such advancements, there has been a paradigm shift in the treatment for brain tumours. Still, early diagnosis is crucial for the treatment to be initiated in a timely manner. 

(With inputs from Dr. Ashish Bhange, Consultant Radiation Oncologist, HCG NCHRI Cancer Centre, Nagpur)

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