Brain Tumours
Overview of Brain Tumours
A brain tumor is an abnormal growth of cells in the brain. Brain tumors occur due to mutational changes in the genomes of brain cells.
Brain tumors (برین ٹیومر) are classified into two types on the basis of their spread. Primary brain tumors begin in the brain cells or nearby tissues such as meninges or cranial nerves. Secondary brain tumors are tumors that arise from another part of the body but later invade brain tissues.
Brain tumors occur due to mutational changes in the genomes of brain cells. The treatment approaches used for brain tumors depends on:
- The location of the cancer
- Size of the cancer
- The aggressiveness of the cells
- Spread of the tumors (localized or metastatic)
Signs and Symptoms of Brain Tumours
The symptoms of brain tumours are different for each case. These symptoms depend on the tumours:
- Size
- Location
- Rate of growth
Some common signs and symptoms of brain tumours may include:
- New onset or change in the pattern of headaches
- Hearing problems
- Personality or behaviour changes
- Severe nausea or vomiting
- Confusion in everyday matters
- Headaches that gradually become more frequent and more severe
- blurred or double vision
- Speech difficulties
- Difficulty with balance
- Gradual loss of sensation
- Seizures without any history
Classification of Brain Tumours
Brain tumours are classified into two types on the basis of their spread such as:
Primary Brain Tumours
Primary brain tumours begin in the brain cells or nearby tissues such as meninges or cranial nerves. In adults, primary brain tumours are less common as compared to secondary brain tumours.
Primary brain tumours exist in different forms. Each type is named according to the type of cell affected. These include:
Secondary Brain Tumours
Secondary brain tumors are tumours that arise from another part of the body but later invade brain tissues. These types of tumours are called metastatic and their spread is known as metastasizes.
These brain tumours often develop in people who have a cancer history. But sometimes, these tumours can be a sign of tumours in some parts of the body.
In adults, secondary brain tumours are more common as compared to primary brain tumours.
Following cancers metastasize to other organs of the body:
- Breast cancer
- Kidney cancer
- Colon cancer
- Lung cancer
- Melanoma
Types of Brain Tumours
Brain tumours are classified into two types on the basis of their spread such as:
Primary Brain Tumours
Primary brain tumours begin in the brain cells or nearby tissues such as meninges or cranial nerves. In adults, primary brain tumours are less common as compared to secondary brain tumours.
Primary brain tumours exist in different forms. Each type is named according to the type of cell affected. These include:
Secondary Brain Tumours
Secondary brain tumours are tumours that arise from another part of the body but later invade brain tissues. These types of tumours are called metastatic and their spread is known as metastasizes.
These brain tumours often develop in people who have a cancer history. But sometimes, these tumours can be a sign of tumours at some part of the body.
In adults, secondary brain tumors are more common as compared to primary brain tumors.
Following cancers metastasize to other organs of the body:
Causes of Brain Tumours
Brain tumors occur due to mutational changes in the genomes of brain cells. Some changes cause the overgrowth of cells. These cells grow rapidly until the normal cells die. Consequently, these abnormal cells crowd out the normal cells and lead to tumors.
Risk Factors of Brain Tumours
There are some factors that increase the risk of brain tumors such as:
- Exposure to Radiation: If you have previously received radiation therapy for cancer your chances of developing brain tumors are increased.
- Family History: Your risk of developing brain tumors is increased if your parents or siblings have a brain tumour history.
There are some factors that increase the risk of brain tumors such as:
- Exposure to Radiation: If you have previously received radiation therapy for cancer your chances of developing brain tumors are increased.
- Family History: Your risk of developing brain tumors is increased if your parents or siblings have a brain tumour history.
Prevention
There is no concrete way to prevent brain tumors. But following the given below preventive strategies can help a person:
- Avoid unnecessary exposure to radiation
- Quit smoking
- Avoid exposure to carcinogenic chemicals
- Remember to avoid exposure to pesticides or insecticides
Diagnosis
If a brain tumor is suspected, the following tests are often recommended.
Neurological Exam
In the neurological exam following areas are examined:
- Vision
- Hearing
- Balance
- Coordination
- Strength
- Reflexes
Problems in any of these areas provide help in diagnosing the part of the brain affected by tumours.
Imaging Tests
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the most common imaging test used to diagnose brain tumours. Sometimes, a dye is injected in the vein through the arm to facilitate the MRI study. These days more specialized MRI scans are available such as:
- Functional MRI
- Magnetic resonance spectroscopy
- Perfusion MRI
Positron emission tomography (PET) is another computerized imaging test used for tumours diagnosis. But this test is a general imaging test and not useful for brain tumour diagnosis.
CT Scan or PET Scan
These scans are performed if your doctor speculated that you have a secondary brain tumour. These imaging tests determine the origin point of tumours.
Biopsy
A biopsy is performed to collect tissues from the area affected by the tumours. Tests can identify the cancerous cells and the type of cancer.
A biopsy can be performed in two different ways such as:
- Needle Biopsy: In this biopsy procedure, a thin needle is inserted into the tumours and a small piece of tissue is removed.
- Surgical Biopsy: In a surgical biopsy, either an incision is made to remove the entire tumours or a small part of the cancer is removed.
Treatment of Brain Tumours | When to Consult a Doctor
The treatment approaches used for brain tumours depends on:
- The location of the cancer
- Size of the cancer
- The aggressiveness of the cells
- Spread of the tumours (localized or metastatic)
Surgery
The surgical method is used to remove the entire tumours. However, it is not an ideal procedure if cancer has invaded the sensitive areas in the brain. In this case, only a small portion is removed that is safe. If cancer can’t be removed completely by surgery, then other procedures such as chemotherapy or radiation are used. Through these procedures, the cancer cells are killed.
However, surgical removal of brain tumours can be associated with some risks such as:
- Infection
- Bleeding
- Vision loss if tumours is near the nerves connected to the eyes
Radiation Therapy
In radiation therapy, high-energy waves such as X-rays and protons are used to kill cancer cells. In this procedure, a machine moves around the patient and aims beams to the cancer site known as external radiation. In internal radiation, the radiation device is placed inside the body to kill the cancer cells.
In whole-brain radiation, a radiation beam is applied to the entire brain. This approach is used if cancer has spread from other organs to the brain.
Radiation therapy is often recommended after surgery to kill remaining cancer cells. This can also be the best treatment option if surgery is not possible due to the presence of cancer in a sensitive area.
However, there are some side effects of radiation therapy such as:
- Fatigue
- Memory loss
- Headaches
- Scalp irritation
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is considered the most painful method of treatment. In this method, drugs are either administered orally or injected through the vein. For brain tumors, usually, temozolomide is used which is taken orally. Although, it is an effective treatment but also has many side effects such as loss of appetite, vomiting, and chills. It also makes the body prone to infections.
This treatment can be used before or after the surgery. It specifically targets and kills cancer cells.
Targeted Drug Therapy
As the name shows, targeted therapy is particularly aimed at cancer cells and destroyed them with medications. These drugs slow down the growth of tumors and stop the supply of blood to tumor cells.
If you experience any signs and symptoms of brain tumors that are persistent and worrisome seek medical care and consult an Oncologist as soon as possible.
Doctors to treat Brain Tumours in Pakistan
- Doctors to treat Brain Tumours in Lahore
- Doctors to treat Brain Tumours in Karachi
- Doctors to treat Brain Tumours in Islamabad
- Doctors to treat Brain Tumours in Multan
- Doctors to treat Brain Tumours in Rawalpindi
- Doctors to treat Brain Tumours in Peshawar
- Doctors to treat Brain Tumours in Faisalabad
- Doctors to treat Brain Tumours in Abbottabad
- Doctors to treat Brain Tumours in Quetta
- Doctors to treat Brain Tumours in Gujranwala