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Brain tumours mean there is a lot to think about apart from worrying. It will be best if one does not panic and starts thinking of treatment. What is a brain tumour? It is the growth and development of abnormal cells in one’s brains. Do not worry, as this condition can be fatal, but there are also successful treatments possible.

Types

There are primary and secondary brain tumours medically. In the primary condition, the tumour develops in the brain, which may or may not be cancerous. The secondary condition usually develops somewhere else and spreads to the brain. Secondary brain tumours are more frequent than primary brain tumours.

Non-cancerous brain tumours grow slowly and are easily removed compared to malignant brain tumours which grow fast and damage the surrounding tissues of the brain. Destruction of brain tissues gradually leads to damage of sight, speech, motion, hearing, memory behaviour and balance capabilities.

Symptoms

The location, size and growth pattern of a brain tumour are factors responsible for the symptoms. As brain tumours invade the brain tissues, it hampers the movement, sight, speech, balance, hearing, behaviour or the memory. If one experiences the symptoms mentioned below, one needs to consult a doctor soon.

The many symptoms of brain tumour include:

• Speech difficulties
• Confused state of mind in daily activities
• Loss of sensation or movement
• Difficulty in balancing
• Seizures
• Hormonal disorders
• Behavioural changes
• Vomiting or nausea all of a sudden
• Hearing problems
• New change of headache pattern or sudden development of headache problems
• Blurred or double vision

Causes

Primary brain tumour occurs due to heredity, viruses, environmental factors and other factors. Brain tumours like oligodendrogliomas, medulloblastomas, meningiomas, astrocytomas and acoustic neuromas are common primary brain tumours.

The secondary brain tumour usually originates from breast and lung cancer, which spread to the brain.

Though nothing has been proved, certain doctors believe that certain exposure to radiation and some harmful chemicals in the rubber manufacturing, oil refining, and nuclear industries can result in brain tumours.

Brain tumours usually occur in people over 65 years of age and in children below eight years. White people and males have more chances of getting a brain tumour.

Treatment

The procedure of treatment is denoted according to the age and overall health of the patient. The type, size and location of the tumour are also vital in treatment.

Firstly, steroid medications need to be given to decrease swelling of the tumour. Surgical treatment is necessary when there is a development of fluid in the brain. For brain tumour treatment, a neurosurgeon, radiation oncologist, radiologist, neurologist and an oncologist is required.

Chemotherapy is also a good treatment for brain tumours. The patient is made to intake drugs orally or intravenously for damaging the cancer cells in the tumour. High-energy radiation is also used for destroying tumour cells in the brain.

With the treatment being successful, the patient requires to undergo check-ups on a regular basis. There may be side effects of brain tumour treatments like nausea and hair loss.

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