Brain Tumor Treatment in India

Brain tumor is an unusual growth or clump of cells in or near the brain. When you include spinal tumors, doctors call these central nervous system (CNS) tumors. Brain tumors can be malignant (cancer) or benign (not cancer). These tumors grow at different speeds; some grow fast, others grow slow. About one in three brain tumors are cancer. Whether they're cancer or not, brain tumors can hurt brain function and overall health if they get big enough to push on nearby nerves, blood vessels, and tissues. Tumors that start in the brain are called primary tumors. Those that spread to the brain from other parts of the body are called secondary tumors or metastatic brain tumors. We'll focus on primary brain tumors in this discussion.

Brain tumor types:

Benign brain tumors : Chordomas, Meningiomas, Pituitary adenomas, Schwannomas.

Malignant brain tumors : Astrocytoma, Ependymomas, Glioblastoma(GBM), Oligodendroglioma, Medulloblastoma.

Brain tumor Symptoms:

• Headaches can be more severe in the morning or worsen with certain positions.
• Seizures ranging from subtle focal seizures to full-body convulsions
• Changes in vision may include blurred or double vision, or loss of peripheral vision.
• Balance and coordination issues people with this condition may experience difficulty walking or performing fine motor tasks.
• Cognitive changes can manifest as memory problems, confusion, or personality shifts.
• Nausea and vomiting may occur, especially if accompanied by other symptoms.

Brain Tumor Treatments:

Doctors recommend several treatments for brain cancer or tumours, including chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery, along with medications. The approach may involve a combination of these methods or focus on one at a time, depending on the patient's condition.

Surgery : Surgery is the primary treatment advised for benign and primary malignant tumours. The surgeon and their team aim to remove the tumour cells while minimizing damage to surrounding brain tissue.

Chemotherapy : This treatment is often chosen for patients with high-grade primary brain tumours. It may be used as an initial treatment alongside radiotherapy. While it may not completely eliminate the tumour, it can help shrink it or prevent it from spreading.

Radiotherapy : This treatment uses high-energy rays to destroy cancer cells, preventing them from growing or multiplying. Radiotherapy is used when surgery is not an option or after surgery if any tumour cells remain. It specifically targets the cancer cells without affecting other parts of the body.