‘Listen to your heart, not your brain’, ‘Let your heart talk to your brains’, and ‘Do you have brains at all ?’ are some of the regular quotes associated with brains in our day-to-day lives. We know the importance of brains, but in literal terms, we have always listened to our hearts, not our brains. We rarely talk about taking care of our brain.
Brain tumours or Central Nervous System (CNS) tumours are among the topics that are hardly spoken about. Everyone is aware of heart ailments, now lung ailments because of COVID-19, but hardly anyone talks about taking care of our brain. It is arguably one of the most important organs as it decides and coordinates the actions of the body. A brain tumour is a life-threatening condition, and with the incidence of brain tumours in India on a steady rise in the last decade or so, there is a need to spread awareness amongst people.
Several people are diagnosed with brain tumours irrespective of their age, and most of them are diagnosed late, making it difficult to deal with them effectively. One of the main reasons why they are not diagnosed early is due to the lack of knowledge about the symptoms of brain tumours. The challenge is that symptoms of this condition are hardly distinguishable from some other ailments.
Headaches, blurred vision, vomiting, clumsiness, confusion, weakness, seizures and memory loss are some of the indicators of a brain tumour.
There Are Two Types Of Brain Tumours
Benign tumours do not spread in the brain and do not recur once treated or once removed. e.g. Meningioma, Pituitary adenoma etc
Malignant tumours or cancers grow at the cost of a normal brain and have the tendency to recur in spite of removal. E.g. Glioma: If one or more symptoms are seen in a patient, the doctor may suggest a detailed neurological examination and, if needed, investigations in the form of an MRI of the brain. CT scans and MRIs are supposed to diagnose the presence of a brain tumour, but the type of tumour or its grade, in the case of a malignant brain tumour, can be verified only through biopsy or histopathological examination.
There is a third kind of tumour seen in the brain, which spreads from other organs. In the body. Those are called metastatic tumours. Metastatic tumours are the One which is invariably cancerous.
The treatment of brain tumours depends on timely accurate diagnosis. Considering the type, size, location of the tumor and the health of the patient, brain tumors in most cases can be treated with different ways.
The treatment methods include surgery to remove the tumour as much as possible without causing any harm to the brain and surgery coupled with other treatments like chemotherapy and radiation in cases of malignant tumours or cancers. Benign tumours do not recur if removed completely. After surgery, Physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy, depending upon the need, are the mainstay of the treatment in order to rehabilitate the patient.
As the 8th of June is annually celebrated as World Brain Tumor Day, plenty of awareness programs and drives are conducted globally. The day focuses on eradicating all the misinformation and misconceptions about the condition, and instead sheds light on medical facts and progresses in the field. So we conclude with a quote “Time is brain, Time lost is brain lost! “
FAQs
What are the early signs of a brain tumour? Early symptoms may include headaches, seizures, nausea, changes in vision, and difficulty with balance or coordination.
How are brain tumours diagnosed? Brain tumours are typically diagnosed using imaging tests like CT scans or MRIs, along with a thorough neurological exam.
Are brain tumours always cancerous? No, not all brain tumours are cancerous. Some may be benign, although they can still cause significant symptoms.
Can brain tumours be treated? Yes, brain tumours can be treated with surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or a combination of these, depending on the type and location.
What is the prognosis for brain tumour patients? Prognosis depends on factors like the type of tumour, its size, location, and whether it’s benign or malignant.
