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A brain tumour refers to an abnormal growth of cells within or around the brain. These tumours can be benign or malignant, and their effects on health greatly depend on their type, position and size. Proper recognition and understanding of this condition will help you seek the right interventions at the right time.
Types of Brain Tumours?
Brain tumours are categorised into primary and secondary (metastatic) tumours based on their origin.
Primary Brain Tumours
Primary brain tumours originate within the brain or its immediate surroundings and include several subtypes:
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Gliomas: Tumours that originate from glial cells that nourish and safeguard neurons. They include:
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Astrocytomas: Arise from astrocytes, which are star-shaped glial cells. It can be either low-grade (indolent) or high-grade (aggressive).
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Oligodendrogliomas: Develop from oligodendrocytes, which are responsible for the formation of myelin, the sheath of nerve fibres.
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Ependymomas: Emerge from the ependymal cells that extend from the ventricles directly into the central canal of the spinal cord and influence the movement of cerebrospinal fluid.
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Meningiomas: Usually, they are non-cancerous growths of the meninges, the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord. They may cause symptoms by compressing the brain or spinal cord.
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Medulloblastomas: These are highly malignant tumours and are more common in children. They originate in the cerebellum or posterior fossa. They can spread through cerebrospinal fluid.
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Pituitary Tumours: Formed in the pituitary gland and influence hormones. The majority of them are harmless, but they can alter hormonal levels.
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Schwannomas: Emerge from Schwann cells responsible for creating the myelin sheath around the peripheral nerves. The most frequent variety is acoustic neuromas, which affect the nerve that controls balance and hearing.
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Craniopharyngiomas: Infrequent, non-cancerous growths near the pituitary gland. They are known to interfere with the normal hormonal balance of a person and can also lead to vision impairment.
Secondary Brain Tumours (Metastatic Brain Tumours)
Metastatic tumours refer to secondary tumours that originate from cancer cells that spread from other areas of the body, such as from lungs, breast, kidney or skin (melanoma). They account for more cases than primary brain cancers and are mostly invasive, complicating their treatment. You can learn more about these types of brain tumors and What causes brain tumor from a specialised medical professional.
What are the symptoms of Brain Tumours?
Brain tumour symptoms vary widely based on their size, type, and location, including:
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Headaches: Persistent headaches. This tends to get worse in the morning or after waking up. Sometimes, vomiting can be an add-on to this.
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Seizures: New-onset seizures in adults can be indicative of a brain tumour.
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Cognitive or Personality Changes: Difficulty with memory, concentration, or changes in behaviour and personality.
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Nausea and Vomiting: Often unrelated to food intake and may be persistent.
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Vision Problems: Blurred vision, double vision, or loss of peripheral vision.
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Speech Difficulties: Trouble speaking or understanding language.
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Motor Skills Issues: Weakness, paralysis, or coordination problems.
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Sensory Changes: Numbness, tingling, or loss of sensation.
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Hearing Problems: Hearing loss or tinnitus (ringing in the ears).
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Balance Problems: Difficulty walking or maintaining balance.
It is necessary to discuss these symptoms with an expert neurosurgeon to take proper measures.
Diagnosis and Treatment of Brain Tumour
Diagnosis of brain tumours typically involves:
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Neurological Exams: Assessing motor, sensory, and cognitive functions.
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Imaging Tests: MRI and CT scans provide detailed images of the brain.
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Biopsy: A tissue sample may be taken to determine the tumour type and grade.
Treatment strategies depend on the tumour type, size, location, and patient health and may include the following:
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Surgery: Often, the first step is to remove as much of the tumour as possible.
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Radiation Therapy: Used to destroy tumour cells or shrink tumours post-surgery or when surgery isn’t feasible.
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Chemotherapy: Drugs used to kill cancer cells, often in conjunction with other treatments.
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Targeted Therapy: Focuses on specific abnormalities in cancer cells to inhibit their growth.
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Supportive Care: Manages symptoms and improves quality of life, including pain management, nutritional support, and rehabilitation.
Upon checkup of your condition, neurologists can prescribe you the most suitable brain tumour treatment plan.
FAQ's
Yes, benign brain tumours can cause significant health issues by pressing on critical areas of the brain. This can result in headaches, vision problems, and motor skill difficulties.
No, brain tumours can be either benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). Benign tumours do not spread to other parts of the body but can still cause serious health problems depending on their location.
Common treatments include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and supportive care. The choice of treatment depends on the type, location, and size of the tumour, as well as the patient's overall health.
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