EARLY DETECTION IS VERY CRUCIAL FOR SUCCESSFUL TREATMENT OF BRAIN TUMOURS

Radiotherapy is the most commonly used treatment for brain tumours. Radiosurgery is a treatment method that uses computerised calculations to focus radiation at the site of the tumour while minimising the radiation dose to the surrounding brain.

- Dr Arun Oommen

Brain tumour refers to the formation of abnormal cells within the brain. There are two main types of brain tumors: cancerous (malignant) tumours and indolent (benign) tumours. The presentation may include headaches, seizures, a problem with vision, vomiting, decreasing sensorium, and mental changes. The headache is classically worst in the morning and relieved with vomiting. More specific problems may include difficulty in walking or speaking.

Tumours like meningiomas, certain gliomas, pituitary adenomas, nerve sheath tumours, germ cell tumours, haemangioblastomas, cavernomas and certain lymphomas are curable.

Survival rates in brain tumours depend on the

• Type of tumour, size, area involved, and early detection

• Age and health of the patient

• The extent of surgical tumour removal

Warning signals

Tumours produce symptoms either due to compression or irritation of the brain.

1. Headache occurring at a later period of life and gradually increasing in intensity. There can be a constant aching pain without any pain-free period in between. Usually, the headache will be maximum in the morning where the victim wakes up with a severe headache.

2. Projectile vomiting mostly on waking up in the morning. Here the vomiting will not be preceded by nausea. Vomiting offers temporary relief to the headache.

3. New-onset seizures can be focal seizures (more significant) involving only part of the body or it can be generalised seizures.

4. Weakness or numbness which progressively increases and can involve only one limb or one side of the body.