New Delhi: A brain tumour is the growth of abnormal cells in the brain. It is one of the major health burdens across the globe. As per studies, the prevalence of brain tumours in India is nearly 5 to 1o per 100,000 people. On the other hand, according to the International Association of Cancer Registries (IARC), over 28,000 cases of brain tumour are reported in India every year.
Brain tumours can originate in any part of the brain or skull including the protective lining which is the upper of the brain called the skull base, the brainstem, the sinuses the nasal cavity, and even other areas. Brain tumours are seen in people of all age groups and require timely treatment. To treat the tumour, it is important to understand the symptoms first.
When will the brain tumour show symptoms?
Dr Pankaj Agarwal, Head of the Department of Neurology, Gleneagles Hospital Parel Mumbai told News9, “Brain tumours are tricky to diagnose. Yes, that’s right! Unlike other tumours, brain tumours can be silent and undetected for weeks, months, or even years. Moreover, it will depend on the size, location, and growth of the tumour. There may be cases when the symptoms start to become noticeable when the tumour grows bigger and puts pressure on the nearby areas in the brain. Hence, one can experience symptoms such as headaches that are worsened by activity or waking up in the morning and improve during rest periods. If the tumour is slow-growing then one will fail to witness the symptoms until the tumour becomes big.”
“Not only this, some people with brain tumours may not experience any symptoms until they do an MRI or a CT scan to confirm the findings. Whereas, some brain tumours cause seizures or neurological problems that are related to specific areas of the brain which are impacted owing to tumour growth. Remember, spotting the symptoms, timely diagnosis, and treatment remain key to tackling brain tumours,” added Dr Agarwal.
Watch out for other prominent symptoms of brain tumours such as:
• Speech, hearing, and vision problems
• Behavioral changes
• Confusion
• Disorientation
• Light-headedness
• Dizziness
• Memory loss
• Inability to balance
• Convulsions
• Nausea and vomiting
• Tiredness
• Confusion
• Facial numbness and tingling
Diagnosis of brain tumour
Once the diagnosis of a brain tumour is confirmed based on the symptoms, the doctor will design an appropriate treatment plan for the patient. Treating a brain tumour will need a comprehensive approach. Brain surgery or craniotomy, radiation therapy, brachytherapy, chemotherapy, radiosurgery, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy are the treatment options that will be provided by the neurosurgeon to improve the quality of life of the patient.
Brain tumours are tricky to diagnose. Yes, that’s right! Unlike other tumours, brain tumours can be silent and undetected for weeks, months, or even years. Check when brain tumours signs may show up Health Conditions Health News: Latest News from Health Care, Mental Health, Weight Loss, Disease, Nutrition, Healthcare
