Brain tumour affects several people across the world each year, and to raise awareness about the condition and its related complications, World Brain Tumour Day is observed on June 8 every year.

Dr (Lt Col) Harmandeep Singh Brar, senior consultant, Neurosurgery, Fortis Hospital, Mohali, says that a brain tumour is an abnormal growth of cells in the brain or its covering (meninges). “Brain tumours can be either malignant (cancerous) or benign (non-cancerous). Only about one-third (27.9%) of the brain tumours are malignant. These can be classified as primary CNS tumours, originating in the brain or secondary tumours spread from cancers elsewhere in the body,” says Dr Brar.

As for risk factors, according to Dr Brar, about 5-10% of the patients have a positive family history of brain tumours, with exposure to high-dose radiation significantly increasing the risk of brain cancer. “Brain tumours can develop at any age, but it is more common in the fifth and sixth decades of life, and cancerous tumours are more common in males and benign lesions occur more frequently in women,” he adds. The most common symptoms include recurrent and strong headaches, severe during the early morning hours, and is associated with vomiting. One may also experience seizures or fits, weakness or numbness in the arms or legs (paralysis), speech disturbances, vision problems, hearing problems or tinnitus, difficulty in swallowing, and imbalance while walking or experiencing vertigo.”

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Discussing that the diagnosis of a brain tumour depended upon the presence of clinical symptoms such as headaches or seizures, Dr Brar says other related symptoms along with neurological examinations and radiological examinations such as NCCT (Computed Tomography) of the head and a contrast MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) of the brain could help detect the disease.

The treatment options are many, depending upon the type of tumour, chemotherapy and radiation therapy can be used alone or as an adjunct to the surgical management. Though brain tumours could not be prevented, Dr Brar adds, “Adoption of a healthy lifestyle, balanced diet, regular exercise, health check-ups and avoiding environmental hazards such as unnecessary radiation exposure can help in early detection and treatment.”

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Senior neurologists at Park Hospital, Mohali, say there are more than 100 distinct types of primary brain tumours, each with its spectrum of presentations, treatments, and outcomes.

However, advanced technologies have made it possible for neuro experts to venture into areas which were, for long, considered to be unapproachable or have unacceptable levels of risk of injury.