Given that brain tumor is a life-threatening medical condition that evokes fear and anxiety, it is imperative to have some information about the ailment. So what exactly is a brain tumor? In simple words, the cells in our brain sometimes grow and divide abnormally to form a mass of tissue or lumps. These are called brain tumors which can be cancerous or benign.

Warning Signs of Brain Tumor:

It is important to be aware of the brain tumor symptoms so that one can act on them fast and embark on a treatment plan at the earliest. Needless to say, a tumor detected in the initial stage can be treated with success as opposed to that which has spread. Read on for some warning signs:

• Severe and frequent headaches that persist despite taking painkillers

• Nausea, vomiting or giddiness

• Seizures or convulsions

• Problem in vision such as blurriness and flickering

• Weakness or gradual loss of sensation in an arm or a leg

• Loss of balance and issues with motor skills

• Difficulty in speech and swallowing

• Loss of co-ordination

• Drowsiness

If you experience any of these symptoms persistently and are concerned, it is prudent to consult a specialist for an accurate diagnosis. The neurosurgeon may recommend a CT scan, MRI, biomarker testing, biopsy and a lab analysis to understand the stage and the complexity of the ailment.

Types of Brain tumors:

Brain tumors are classified as primary or secondary. The former originate in the brain and can develop from cells, meninges, nerve cells, glands. They are non-cancerous, do not invade surrounding tissues, nor spread to other parts of the body. However, they can be fatal if they start pressurising sensitive areas. The secondary tumors, on the other hand, spread to the brain from other organs.

Types of Brain Tumor Cancer:

Brain tumors can be cancerous. The most common forms of this kind of cancer are Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM and metastatic brain tumors (brain metastases). Brain tumors are graded 1-4 on the basis of how they look under the microscope and how fast they are growing. Grade 4 (GBM) is referred to as aggressive malignancy.

Brain Tumor Surgery:

In terms of brain tumor treatment, surgery is the first option. Thanks to earlier diagnosis, meticulous planning, cutting edge tools, technological advancements and innovative procedures like PET-CT, IGRT, Cortical mapping, microsurgery, computer-assisted volumetric stereotaxis and Gamma knife surgery, most benign tumors can be successfully removed.

The surgical procedure for brain cancer treatment is called Craniotomy. It involves removal of the malignant tumor to get rid of the cancerous cells. When surgery is not possible due to the size or position of the tumor, radiotherapy, proton beam therapy and chemotherapy is recommended.