Brain tumour is a mass in the brain which results from abnormal growth of cells. There are different types of brain tumour and which some are benign (non-cancerous), others are malignant (cancerous). Tumours can also begin from other parts of the body and spread to the brain leading to brain tumours.
Another question which people generally tend to consider is the rate at which a brain tumour grows. There is no specific answer to this as the rate at which a brain tumour grows can vary greatly from one individual to the other. However, the rate of growth along with the location of the brain tumour determines how the extent to which the function of the nervous system will be affected.
According to the top neurosurgeons in Delhi, there are different types of brain tumour treatment options all of which depend on the type of tumour, its size and location. Some of the types of brain tumours are as follows –
- Glioma
- Meningioma
- Astrocytoma
- Glioblastoma
- Ependymoma
- Pineoblastoma
- Pituitary tumours
- Medulloblastoma
- Brain metastases
- Acoustic neuroma
- Oligodendroglioma
- Embryonal tumours
- Craniopharyngioma
- Paediatric brain tumours
- Choroid plexus carcinoma
Symptoms to Heed
Depending on where the tumour is located, its size and rate of growth, the symptoms tend to vary greatly. However, some of the symptoms, in general, are as follows –
- Hearing problems
- Confusion in everyday matters
- Speech and balance difficulties
- Unexplained nausea or vomiting
- Personality and behaviour changes
- New onset or change in the pattern of headaches
- Gradual loss of sensation or movement in an arm or a leg
- Headaches that gradually become more frequent and more severe
- Seizures, especially in someone who doesn’t have a history of seizures
- Vision problems such as blurred vision, double vision or loss of peripheral vision
Causes
Tumours that Originate from the Brain
Primary brain tumour are those which begin from the brain or tissues close to it such as meninges, pineal gland, pituitary gland, or cranial nerves.
Such tumours begin when normal cells undergo unwanted mutation in the DNA resulting in the cells growing and dividing at an increased rate. These cells also outlive their healthy counterparts which usually die. As a result, an unwanted mass is formed which is known as a tumour.
It has been found that in adults tumours occurring in the brain (primary brain tumour) are less common than those which occur in other parts of the body and then spread to the brain (secondary brain tumour).
Secondary Brain Tumours
These are the tumours which begin from other sections of the body. Then it spreads to the brain. Such type of cancer is usually found in people who have a history of cancer. This is the most common form of brain tumour in adults.
Some of the common types of cancer which can spread to the brain include –
- Melanoma
- Lung cancer
- Colon cancer
- Kidney cancer
- Breast cancer
Risk Factors
Despite the precise cause of brain tumour still unclear, there are some factors which doctors like Wilson Asfora claim can significantly increase the risk of brain tumour such as –
- Radiation Exposure – Individuals who have been exposed to ionising radiation are more likely to be at increased risk of brain tumour. Ionising radiation are found in radiation therapy used in cancer treatment and radiation exposure from exposure to atomic bombs
- Family History – A very small portion of people are affected genetically. It can happen because of brain tumours in their family which increases the chances of tumours.
