Brain Tumor Surgery is the first mode of treatment for a benign or cancerous brain tumour, if it is in an operable area, with minimum risk of neurological damage.
Primary brain tumours are those originating in the brain itself. Secondary tumours are those that metastasise from other parts of the body most commonly from lung, breast, kidney, colon, and skin. There are no proven causes or risk factors for primary brain tumours except in children who get irradiation to the head, rare genetic conditions like neurofibromatosis, and adults in the age group of 65 to 79 years who are more prone to develop brain tumours.
Symptoms of brain tumours
Symptoms of brain tumours are based on the type of tumour, and its location as different areas of the brain control different functions of the body, and the related symptoms.
Some tumours have no symptoms until they are quite large and then cause a serious, rapid decline in health. Other tumours may have symptoms that develop slowly. The most common symptoms are
It should also not be assumed that manifesting any of these symptoms means the cause is a brain tumour.
Diagnosing a brain tumour
The different ways of diagnosing a brain tumour and assessing its type is by the following methods:
Treatment of brain tumours
Treatment depends on the type and grade of the cancer, its location, size, age of patient and the general health status. Each of the following treatment modalities can be administered individually or in combination based on the requirements.
During the treatment, surrounding brain tissue can be damaged and hence counselling of patients for side effects and the adjuvant treatment for the same should be discussed. It is also important to consider and plan physical rehabilitation for any possible sequelae. This rehab will involve a physical therapist, speech therapist and an occupational therapist.
