A tumor is a mass of cells that grows abnormally in any part of your body. Therefore, a brain tumor is a mass of cells in the brain. Different types of brain tumors exist. These could be cancerous (malignant) or non-cancerous (benign). In addition to this, brain tumors can have different origins and conditions.
These can either originate in the brain like a primary tumor or be a secondary tumor of cancerous growth elsewhere in the body. In addition to this, the speed of growth and the location are all variables that are different for different types of tumors and manifest in different forms. Some types of brain tumors are astrocytoma, choroid plexus carcinoma, glioblastoma glioma, meningioma, pediatric brain tumors, and pituitary tumors.
What are the symptoms of brain tumors?
The signs and symptoms of brain tumors vary depending on the tumor and the location of the tumor. Nevertheless, some of the general symptoms of brain tumor are:
- Headaches or changes in the pattern of headaches
- Nausea and vomiting
- Difficulty in balancing
- Confusion in daily living activities
- Seizures
- Problems associated with vision
- Difficulty with speech
- Problems with hearing
If you observe any of the symptoms on the list, you must visit an oncologist at the best neurosurgery hospitals nationally. You can request an appointment and obtain a consultation.
How is a brain tumor identified?
If you display the general signs and symptoms of a brain tumor or your doctor suspects a brain tumor, then the identification is carried out by certain tests and procedures that your doctor would ask you to go through. These tests are:
Neurological examination
A neurological examination of your hearing, vision, coordination, balance, and reflexes. This includes the examination of your vision, hearing, coordination, strength, and reflexes which are the critical areas controlled by the brain.
Imaging Tests
The most commonly performed imaging test is magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) which is performed after injecting a dye in the vein leading to the brain. Your doctor may choose specialized MRI scans such as functional MRI, magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and perfusion MRI. This not only helps identify the tumor but also assists the doctor significantly in the treatment plan. Other imaging techniques employed are Computer tomography and Positron emission tomography (PET)
Biopsy
The doctor can also isolate a small part of the brain tumor to remove the tumor to identify and characterize it. Your doctor may recommend other tests and analyses if he suspects tumors in other parts of the body.
How are brain tumors treated?
Brain tumors are treated in one or more of the following ways:
Surgery
This treatment technique is only employed by oncologists if the tumor is accessible. In most cases, the removal of even a portion of the tumor eases the symptoms. The doctors may even perform a minimally invasive surgery that would not leave a scar if the proper infrastructure were available or even perform a stereotactic surgery.
Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy employs high-energy beams or X-rays and gamma rays to kill the tumor cells at a particular site of the brain.
Radiosurgery
Radiosurgery uses highly focused multiple radiation beams to kill the tumor cells.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is a treatment program that employs strong drugs and medicines to kill tumor cells.
Targeted Drug Therapy
In this technique, drug treatments are employed that are targeted at certain abnormalities of the cancer cells.
Concluding Remarks
Brain tumors display generalized symptoms. You must visit the best neurosurgeon, preferably with a family member, to get an appointment, diagnose, and treat your tumor. You must ask and obtain the right information for all your questions from your doctors and experts. If you are near Tamil Nadu, then you must visit the best neurosurgeon in Coimbatore for consultation. Referring to the right doctor at the right time can go a long way in the health and survival of brain tumors.
