Brain Tumour: Everything You Should Know

Brain Tumour Causes

While the exact cause is unclear, there are certain factors that can increase a person’s risk of developing such a tumour. These are:

• Genetics

In 5-10% of all brain tumour cases, the individual belongs to a family where another family member has also been diagnosed with some form of brain tumour.

• Age

The risk of a brain tumour increases with age.

• Exposure to chemicals and radiation

Exposure to certain types of chemicals and radiation can increase a person’s risk of developing brain tumour.

• No history of chickenpox

Not having chickenpox as a child can increase an individual’s risk of developing a brain tumour at a later age.

Brain Tumour Symptoms

The symptoms can vary greatly depending on the size, location, type and speed of a tumour’sgrowth. Some of the most common signs are:

• Frequent, severe headaches

• Tiredness

• Imbalance

• Visual disturbances such as blurred vision, loss of peripheral vision or double vision

• Confusion and indecisiveness

• Inability to focus on simple commands

• Difficulty hearing

• Clumsiness

• Unexplained changes in behaviour and personality

• Loss of sensation in the limbs

• Loss of control over the bladder/bowel

• Seizures

Diagnosing a Brain Tumour

When you consult a doctor with the above range of symptoms, they will ask for your medical history and conduct a detailed physical examination to check the cranial nerve connections. Your eyes will also be examined to see how the pupils react to light and to check for any swelling of the optic nerve. They will also test your memory, muscle strength, coordination and ability to do simple mathematical calculations.

This may be followed by multiple tests, including:

• Brain CT scan

This will give the doctor a more detailed view of the brain.

• Brain MRI

An MRI will offer a detailed view of the brain structure without any risk of radiation exposure.

• Angiography

This involves administering a dye into the bloodstream that travels to the brain and gives the doctor a clear view of the blood supply to the tumour. This test is usually conducted before surgery.

• Skull X-rays

This is used to assess the possibility of a skull fracture or calcium deposits caused by the tumour.

• Biopsy

This involves removing a small part of the tumour and testing it to see whether it is malignant or benign. It can also help identify the origin of the tumour.

Brain Tumour Treatment

Each tumour is treated differently depending on the size,type and location of the tumour, as well as the patient’s overall health.

If the tumour is accessible, surgery is often the most preferred choice of treatment. This is aimed at removing as much of the tumour as possible without damaging any of the healthy brain cells. Even partial removal of the tumour can be beneficial.

Surgery may be combined with chemotherapy or radiation. These forms of treatment may be prescribed before surgery to shrink the tumour or after surgery to kill all the remaining tumour cells. Chemotherapy involves the use of oral or intravenous drugs that target the tumour cells. Radiation kills tumour cells with the help of high-energy beams directed at the tumour from a machine outside the body, or in rare cases, from a machine placed near the tumour.

In case of metastatic tumours, i.e., tumours that originate in other parts of the body, treatment of the brain tumour is based on the treatment of the origin tumour.

Each form of treatment has its own advantages and risks. It is important to be aware of these factors and discuss them with your doctor before you go ahead.

Rehabilitation after Treatment

Depending on the location of a brain tumour, certain skills such as vision, motor skills, speech, etc. may be impaired. Hence, the removal of the tumour may be followed by rehabilitative therapies such as physical therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy or special tutoring.