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showBrain tumour or intracranial tumour is an abnormal mass of brain tissue caused due to abnormal cell division. About 150,000 people are affected by metastatic brain tumour every year [1]. Symptoms like headache, seizures, vision loss, disorientation, etc. are symptoms of brain tumour.
Brain tumours can affect children and adults. It is thought to arise due to genetic mutations. There are several tests to confirm if the cause of symptoms is due to a brain tumour. It is advisable to see a licensed doctor to get an expert opinion before seeing an oncologist. If diagnosed with a brain tumour, start the treatment as prescribed by the doctor.
Here’s a quick glance at the causes, symptoms and treatment of brain tumour:
Symptoms | Prolonged headaches, problems in thinking, development of seizures, frequent dizziness, paralysis in the body, alteration in personality, hearing loss, Loss of memory, vision loss, increased confusion and disorientation |
Complications | Neurocognitive sequelae, seizure disorders, ototoxicity, stroke, deficits in cognitive function, peripheral neuropathy, memory loss, loss of attention, severe headaches, visual and hearing impairment, reduction in speed of information processing |
Causes | Exact causes of the occurrence of brain tumours are yet unknown. |
Onset | It can occur at any age |
Diagnosis | Neurological tests, biopsy, imaging test, lumbar puncture, neurocognitive assessment, electroencephalography (EEG), endocrinological evaluation |
Prevention | Minimise smoking, avoid exposure to radiation |
Medication | Doctors usually prescribe several medicines to manage the symptoms associated with this disease |
To understand the disease better, take a look at this detailed overview of brain tumour. Read on!
Some of the prominent symptoms of brain tumours are [2]:
If you start experiencing more than one of these symptoms, visit a doctor at the earliest. But, what could cause the brain tumour? Let’s find out!
The exact causes behind the formation of brain tumours are not yet known. However, there are some risk factors associated with it that prominently increase the chances of occurrence of this disease. These are as follows [2] [3]:
Furthermore, brain tumours can be of different types. Here’s a list of different types of brain tumours that affect people.
The different types of brain tumours include [1] [3]:
There are several diagnostic tests that can reveal the type of tumour you are suffering from.
It would be best to consult a doctor for a proper diagnosis as soon as possible once you notice the symptoms. This is beneficial as the chances of curing it prominently increase. Additionally, it gives the doctor enough time to decide upon the right course of treatment based on the test reports.
Doctors consider the following factors while selecting the most appropriate treatment for brain tumours [3]:
You will have to undergo diagnostic tests to confirm the presence, type, size, and location of these tumours.
Below are some of the tests that doctors usually suggest for proper diagnosis of brain tumours [2] [4]:
Additionally, before proceeding with the treatment you should have a clear idea regarding the prognosis.
There are different types of brain tumours that can develop in individuals. Hence, it becomes challenging to determine survival rates in patients. There are several factors on which the prognosis depends. These are as follows [3]:
However, you should note that after the treatment you will need to visit your doctor for regular follow-ups. So, now that you are aware of the prognosis, you should explore the available treatment options.
The treatments available for a brain tumour are as follows [1] [3]:
It is usually used to treat cancer completely and prevent it from resurfacing. Also, at times, it is given in combination with other treatments before or after surgery. Sometimes it can also provide relief to certain other symptoms of brain tumours.
However, it is difficult to predict that it will work with similar efficiency in all cases. Furthermore, several side effects of chemotherapy restrict doctors from suggesting it unless it is the only option left.
Treatment options for brain tumours can be costly and painful. Hence, it would be better to take maximum precautions to avoid their occurrence.
You can take the following precautionary measures to prevent the development of brain tumours:
However, if the presence of a brain tumour is confirmed, you should ensure instant treatment to keep from its complications.
The complications that can take place due to delay in brain tumour treatment are as follows [5]:
Additionally, arranging funds for the treatment can also consume immense time. Hence it is essential to have an estimate about it so that you can stay financially prepared.
The average cost of brain tumour surgery starts from Rs.2,50,000 in India. However, it can vary considerably with the city of treatment, complexity of surgery, and hospital that you are selecting for the entire procedure.
Furthermore, there are several other expenses that can add to the overall costs of tumour treatment. These include costs of diagnostic tests, medicine prices, hospitalisation charges, and doctor’s consultation fees.
Brain tumour is a life-threatening cancer of the brain that affects both children and adults. Early detection of brain tumours can prominently increase the chances of getting effective treatment and recovery. Hence, you should go for treatment as soon as you are diagnosed with a brain tumour.
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Some of the common types of cancers that spread to the brain giving rise to secondary brain tumours are as follows: Breast cancer Skin cancer (melanoma) Kidney cancer Colon cancer Lung cancer
Brain tumours mostly occur in the following regions of brain: Meningiomas in meninges Medulloblastoma tumours form from brain stem Pituitary tumours in pituitary gland Skull base tumours on the lower side of brain
Most of the time there are no such symptoms when the tumour is in its nascent stage. However, as it grows it starts to interfere with the brain's function, leading to the appearance of prominent symptoms
The following conditions notably increase the risk of brain tumours: Neurofibromatosis Cowden syndrome Lynch syndrome Familial adenomatous polyposis Tuberous sclerosis Von Hippel-Lindau disease Li-Fraumeni syndrome Basal cell nevus syndrome (Gorlin syndrome)
Some of the most prevalent types of brain tumours are as follows: Intracranial metastases Meningiomas Glioblastoma
https://www.aans.org/en/Patients/Neurosurgical-Conditions-and-Treatments/Brain-Tumors
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/brain-tumor
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/brain-tumours/
https://www.cancer.net/cancer-types/brain-tumor/diagnosis
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3612581/
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