Brain Tumour: Understanding the Symptoms and Treatment

Dr.Amit Srivastava, 2 mins read

Brain Tumour: Understanding the Symptoms and Treatment

A brain tumour is the abnormal and uncontrolled growth of cells in the brain or structures surrounding or supporting the brain. It can be cancerous (malignant) or non-cancerous (benign).

Cancerous tumours may grow quickly and invade the healthy nearby tissues. Whereas benign tumours may grow over time or may transform into high-grade and press the brain tissue, which may result in many health problems. Both can be unmanageable and life-threatening if effective interventions are not considered timely.

A tumour that begins in the brain is known as a primary brain tumour. If the tumour initially begins somewhere else and then moves to the brain, it is called a secondary brain tumour or metastatic brain tumour.

The size of the tumour can vary from person to person. Sometimes the tumour shows symptoms at an earlier stage. Others may be diagnosed when they grow very large. Experts believe that a tumour that starts in the less active part of the brain may not cause symptoms right away. Also, it is seen that benign tumours tend to develop slowly and may get worse over time.

Symptoms

The symptoms depend on the location and size of the brain tumour. Tumour grade (the rate of growth) may also influence the symptoms. Here are some common signs and symptoms of brain tumours

Changing nature of the headache
Seizure
Tiredness
Speech problems
Hearing problems
Memory problems
Dizziness or vertigo
Feeling of confusion
Nausea or vomiting
Trouble with balance
Weight gain and feeling hungry
Changes in behaviour and personality
Migraines or frequent and severe headache
Pressure in the head that may get worse in the Morning
Eye problems like blurry vision, seeing double or losing sight on the side of the vision

Symptoms of brain tumour by location

The front part of the brain: This part controls thinking and movement. A tumour in the part can lead to walking and balance problems. Lack of interest in routine activities, and memory problems are other symptoms people complain of.

Middle of the brain: This segment is responsible for processing information related to touch, taste, smell, hearing and vision. Tumour development in this part can cause problems with senses like speech, vision and hearing issues.

Back of the brain: This part controls the vision. The growth of tumours in this part can result in vision problems.

The lower part of the brain: This segment processes memories and senses. Tumours in this part can affect the memory and sometimes taste or smell.

Treatment

The treatment depends on the location, size, type and number of brain tumours. The age and overall health of the patient may also affect the treatment regimen.

Healthcare providers often use a combination of therapies to treat a tumour. Here are some common treatment options::

Craniotomy (brain surgery): When possible, surgeons opt for this option. In this, the doctor surgically removes the tumour. Sometimes a craniotomy is performed wherein the patient is awake during the surgery. This is done to minimise the damage to functional areas of the brain.
Radiation therapy: In this option, a doctor uses high doses of X-rays to shrink the tumour size or destroy the tumour cells.
Radiosurgery: Contrary to its name, it’s not an actual surgery because it involves no incisions. It is a type of radiation therapy in which focused beams of gamma or proton radiation are used to destroy the tumour cells. Its indication and efficacy are limited, mostly for benign small-size tumours
Brachytherapy: Another form of radiation therapy wherein a doctor surgically places radioactive capsules, seeds or other implants in or near the cancerous tumour.
Chemotherapy: This therapy includes anti-cancer drugs, which are given through injections or pills. These drugs kill cancers and are usually prescribed post-surgery to kill left-behind cancer cells or prevent remaining tumour cells from growing further.
Immunotherapy: Also known as biological therapy, it involves stimulating the immune system to effectively fight against the cancer cells.
Targeted therapy: These drugs target certain features in the cancer cells without harming the healthy nearby cells. It is usually recommended when the chemotherapy is not tolerable for the patient.

Sometimes other treatments may also be recommended to manage the symptoms:

Shunts: A thin piece of tubing that is placed surgically in the brain to drain excess cerebrospinal fluid. This is recommended when the tumour causes pressure within the skull.
Drugs: Medicines like corticosteroids and mannitol help reduce swelling around the tumour and pressure within the skull.
Palliative care: A specialised comprehensive form of care that provides support, symptom relief and comfort to people living with serious illnesses.