Brain Tumours
Understanding your diagnosis
As the news of having a brain tumour breaks, it is
Shattering and panicky. The information in this brochure
Helps you and your family to understand the disease and
can help you to work with the health care team to choose the
best treatment option available
What is Cancer?
All cells in the body are programmed to grow, work,
Reproduce and die. Sometimes this programming gets
Disturbed and results in abnormal uncontrolled growth of
Some cells. These growing abnormal cells forms lumps
called tumours. Tumours may be benign (stay at one
place) or malignant (spread to other areas).
What are brain tumours?
Tumours in the brain may arise from the brain or from the
structures surrounding the brain. Growth of abnormally
growing cells in the brain causes brain tumours. They may
be benign or malignant. Unlike other parts of body, benign
brain tumours are as dangerous as malignant tumours
due to the pressure they exert on the brain.
Causes of brain tumours?
In most of the cases of brain tumours, no cause can be
found. Some cases may develop after radiation to the
brain for other reasons such as pituitary tumours or
leukemia. Some genetic syndromes like
Neurofibromatosis also lead to brain tumours. But in most
cases we do not know the cause of developing brain
tumour
—
What did l do that l got this tumour?
There is no precise answer to the cause of brain
Tumour thus it is not yet possible to say if there is anything
you might have done or not done to prevent this. But
certainly, “thinking more” or “exerting more” or “worrying
more” do not cause brain tumour.
Symptoms of brain tumour?
The presentation depend on the size. location in the brain
and the speed of growth of the tumour
– Headache which is usually early morning headache. It
may be associated with nausea and/or vomiting
– Seizures or fits occur in many cases of tumours and
may be the only symptoms in some of them.
– Weakness of any arm or leg. There may be deviation of
Face to one side. There may also be imbalance of gait
– Loss of or decrease in vision. hearing. smell or taste.
There may be difficulty in swallowing
– Problems with memory or recent change of behavior
may occur
Is Brain Tumour Curable?
The benign tumours are mostly curable. They will not
reoccur if treated completely. The malignant tumours can
be treated but have a tendency to reoccur at some time
depending on its grade and nature. They will require to be
followed very closely.
what are treatment options?
Surgery remains the mainstay of the treatment of most of
the brain tumours. Surgery removes the tumour and
reduces the pressure in the brain. it gives the pathological
diagnosis by biopsy of the removed tumour.
Other modalities like radiotherapy or chemotherapy also
Work better if bulk of tumour is reduced.
Is the surgery for brain tumor safe?
Safety of surgery largely depends on the location of the
tumour and the condition of the patient at the time of
surgery. Certain advancements like operating microscope
and CUSA machine make the surgery much more precise
and safe. Elective brain surgeries are much safer than the
general perception about them.
what happen after surgery?
After surgery you will need a period of rest for the healing
to occur The better you were at time of surgery. the faster
is the recovery generally. Depending on the report of the
biopsy, further treatment in form of radiotherapy or
chemotherapy may be started after few days.
when should be surgery be done?
Surgery should be done as soon as possible after
diagnosis.