A brain tumor occurs when cells within the brain or surrounding tissues grow abnormally. These tumors can be classified as benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). Benign tumors grow slower and are less likely to spread to other parts of the brain. But, malignant tumors increase and have the potential to invade and damage nearby brain tissue. Brain tumors can cause various symptoms depending on their size, location, and growth rate. Read this blog until the end to learn about common brain tumor symptoms, reasons, warning signs, and treatment options available in Delhi.
Common Brain Tumor Symptoms
In India, brain tumors account for approximately 2% of all cancers, with an estimated incidence of 5–10 cases per 100,000 people annually. Brain tumor symptoms can either develop slowly or suddenly, depending on how fast the tumor grows. The most common signs include:
- Headaches
Brain tumors cause headaches in about 50% of patients, who often report that the pain is more intense and frequent than tension headaches. Many describe it as persistent and worsening in the morning or during physical activity. The pain tends to increase with straining, coughing, or sneezing. Nausea and vomiting often accompany these headaches due to the tumor raising intracranial pressure and pressing on surrounding brain tissue.
- Seizures
Seizures occur in 20-40% of brain tumor patients and result from abnormal electrical activity in the brain. Seizures may manifest as general convulsions or as focal seizures affecting only part of the body. When seizures arise without a history of seizure disorders, it often suggests the tumor is disrupting normal brain function.
- Cognitive Changes
Brain tumors frequently impair cognitive abilities like memory, attention, and problem-solving. Initially subtle, these impairments may progress to noticeable difficulties in daily activities. Tumors in the frontal lobe tend to cause issues with planning and decision-making, while those in the temporal lobe often impact memory.
- Vision Problems
They can affect vision when located near the optic nerve or in areas involved in visual processing. Symptoms include blurred vision, double vision, loss of peripheral vision, or, in some cases, complete vision loss on one side. These visual disturbances arise when the tumor exerts pressure on visual pathways or directly affects the brain’s vision-related regions.
- Personality and Behavioural Changes
Brain tumors cause personality and behavioural changes like increased irritability, mood swings, apathy, or altered social interactions. Family members usually notice these changes first, as they affect how individuals interact with others and manage their daily lives. These changes stem from the tumor’s impact on brain function and the emotional strain of living with a serious illness.
Reasons for Brain Tumor
We don’t always know the exact cause for brain tumor reason. However, many factors can increase the risk:
- Genetic Factors: Inherited conditions like neurofibromatosis and Li-Fraumeni syndrome can make individuals more susceptible to brain tumors.
- Environmental Exposure: Exposure to high levels of ionising radiation from previous cancer treatments is linked to a higher risk of developing brain tumors.
- Age and Gender: Brain tumors can develop at any age but are more common in older adults. However, some types, like medulloblastomas, are common in children.
Do you know that Glioma brain tumor is among the most common type of brain tumor in Indian patients
Brain Tumor Treatment Options
Doctors choose a brain tumor treatment in Dwarka, Delhi based on size, location, and whether the tumor is cancerous. Common treatments include:
- Surgery: If the tumor has not yet been removed, surgery may be the first-line treatment to remove the majority of tumor. Techniques range from-opening the skull to minimally invasive methods like endoscopic surgery. A biopsy may also be carried out to diagnose the tumor type.
- Radiation: This involves using high-energy rays to destroy tumor cells. It is often employed after surgery to destroy any remaining cells or as the main treatment for inoperable tumors. Advanced procedures include stereotactic radiosurgery and intensity-modulated radiation therapy.
- Chemotherapy: Utilises drugs to destroy cancer cells. Treatment may involve oral medications or injections and is often administered in cycles. Intrathecal chemotherapy delivers drugs directly into the cerebrospinal fluid.
- Targeted Therapy: This method uses drugs that target molecular abnormalities in tumor cells, often with fewer side effects than traditional chemotherapy. These treatments include medications to manage symptoms like seizures or swelling.
Is Brain Tumor Curable?
Whether a brain tumor is curable depends on factors such as the type, size, and location of the cancer, as well as the patient’s age and overall health. Options for treatment include radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Doctors can proceed with just one of these methods or combine some of them with the other options.
However, some tumors that are malignant could return even after being treated. During these times, treatment may be given to slow the growth of the tumor and help manage symptoms. While brain tumors are often incurable, treatment can help to shrink or slow their growth which helps with symptoms and improves the quality of life for the patient.
Surgery for Brain Tumor
The goal of brain tumor surgery is to remove as much cancer as possible without damaging healthy brain tissue. This procedure can relieve pressure on the brain, improve symptoms, and help doctors identify the tumor’s type for treatment.
If the tumor is located in a difficult-to-reach area, neurosurgeons in Delhi may use advanced techniques like:
- Brain Mapping: This technique identifies critical brain areas that control speech, movement, or other functions, helping the surgeon avoid these areas during surgery.
- Frameless Stereotactic Surgery: This method guides the surgeon to the tumor while minimising damage to surrounding tissue.
When Should You See a Best Brain Specialist in Delhi
It is important to consult a brain tumor specialist if you suspect a brain tumor. Delhi offers some of the most advanced medical facilities and experienced neurosurgeons, like the Center for Brain and Spine, specialising in diagnosing and treating brain tumors.
The best brain specialists in Delhi will identify your symptoms and recommend diagnostic tests like MRI or CT scans. They help identify the size and location of the tumor, that is, whether it is a benign one or malignant, etc. After that, they will review the treatment plans with you, which may include surgery or other types of therapy appropriate.
A brain tumor is something that can change a person’s life in a lot of ways, but the chances of success for recovery can be tempting if diagnosed and treated as early as possible. It is important to identify brain tumor symptoms and warning signs and to talk with neurosurgery specialists about treatment. If you or a loved one is showing any brain tumor warning signs, don’t delay to consult a neurosurgeon in Delhi like Center for Brain and Spine for proper treatment.