Every year on July 22nd, World Brain Day serves as a crucial reminder of the incredible organ that orchestrates our thoughts, actions, and emotions. This year, let’s focus on a particularly concerning threat to brain health: brain tumours. While relatively rare, these abnormal growths within the brain can have a profound impact on individuals and their families. World Brain Day presents a vital opportunity to raise awareness about brain tumours, emphasizing the importance of early detection and understanding the latest advancements in treatment.
Brain tumours are classified based on their origin and nature. They can be either primary or secondary, and they can be benign or malignant. Primary brain tumours form within the brain and are grouped according to the cell type involved, such as gliomas, meningiomas, pituitary adenomas, and nerve sheath tumours. Secondary brain tumours start elsewhere in the body and then spread to the brain.
Brain tumours manifest with diverse symptoms depending on their location, size, and growth rate. The most common symptoms are persistent headaches, often worse in the morning or after physical exertion, accompanied by nausea and frequent vomiting due to increased intracranial pressure. Seizures of varying types and intensities can also signal a brain tumour. Visual disturbances, including blurred vision, double vision, and loss of peripheral vision; auditory problems, like ringing in the ears or hearing loss; and cognitive changes such as memory problems, confusion, and difficulty concentrating, are other common symptoms. Changes in personality, mood swings, and behavioural changes, as well as motor dysfunctions like muscle weakness or paralysis in parts of the body, loss of balance, and coordination, can also indicate a brain tumour.
While the exact causes of brain tumours remain unknown, several risk factors have been identified. Genetic factors include inherited conditions like neurofibromatosis, LiFraumeni syndrome, and Turcot syndrome. Past exposure to high doses of ionizing radiation, primarily from radiation therapy, is also a known risk factor. A family history of brain tumours increases the risk of developing the condition. Advanced age, with most cases diagnosed in individuals over 65, and gender are also contributing factors. Certain types of brain tumours, such as meningiomas, are more common in females.
Treatment options for brain tumours are determined by the type, location, stage, and the patient’s overall health. The most common forms of treatment include:
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Surgery:
If the tumour is accessible and surgical removal is considered safe, surgery is the preferred treatment. The goal is to remove as much of the tumour as possible while preserving neurological function.*
Radiation therapy:
High-energy beams kill tumour cells. This is often used when surgery is not possible or as an adjunct to surgery to eliminate remaining cancer cells.*
Chemotherapy:
Chemotherapy involves medications that kill or slow the growth of cancer cells. It can be administered orally or intravenously, either as a single treatment or in combination with other therapies.*
Targeted therapy:
These drugs specifically target cancerous cells, leaving normal cells intact, resulting in fewer side effects. They interfere with the action of molecules involved in cancer cell growth and proliferation.*
Immunotherapy:
Immunotherapy harnesses the body’s immune system to fight cancer cells. This includes therapies like immune checkpoint inhibitors and cancer vaccines, which are under active investigation for treating brain tumours.*
Supportive care:
Physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and psychological support are essential for maintaining a better quality of life for patients and their families.It is crucial to conduct secondary research on brain tumours regarding their types, symptoms, treatment options, causes, and risks for early detection and effective management. Regular checkups and awareness of symptoms enable timely intervention, leading to better outcomes. Increased funding and research in this field will enhance our understanding and treatment of brain tumours, giving those affected a chance at a positive prognosis.
The author is a Consultant Neurosurgeon at Manipal Hospital, Gurugram. The views expressed in this piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost’s views.
