Understanding the Various Aspects of Brain Tumor

In simple terms, tumor refers to the uncontrolled growth of cells. When this abnormal growth happens in the brain cells, this is referred to as brain tumor which could potentially damage the brain. This is a life-threatening condition with several complications associated. Cancer can be benign (located to a single area) or malignant (spreading the other body parts). The treatment approach taken by the doctor depends on the type of cancer and the stage to which it has progressed.

Causes and diagnosis

With brain cancer claiming more lives than ever, it becomes essential to learn about the causes and various treatment methods that could potentially save a life. The particular reason for the development of tumor is still unidentified. You can read more about the various risk factors that could potentially lead to the formation of brain cancer. A genetic mutation is considered to be the main reason tumors form in our body. Some factors that increase the risk of cancer development are-

• Exposure to radiation
• Family history of cancer
• Medical history of cancer
• Obesity
• Age
• Exposure to chemicals

The various diagnostic tests that doctors run to confirm brain tumor in patients include-

• MRI
• CT scan
• PET
• X-ray of the skull
• Angiography
• Biopsy
• Analyzing cerebrospinal fluid
• Neurological examination

Symptoms

The symptoms of a brain tumor become noticeable once the tumor starts applying pressure. This could be seen as-

• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Memory loss
• Loss of vision
• Hand tremors
• Loss of consciousness
• Confusion
• Losing sense of hearing, smell and taste

In case a patient is experiencing these symptoms, the doctor prescribes various diagnostic tests to find out if a tumor has developed in the brain.

Treatment

The various types of advanced treatment options available for patients with a brain tumor are listed below:

• Surgery- The most common method of preventing the spread of cancer is by surgically removing cancerous cells.
• Chemotherapy- This involves the usage of drugs to kill cancerous cells.
• Radiation therapy- In this therapy, the tumor area is exposed to radiations like X-ray and proton beams. Variations of this method, including brachytherapy and radiosurgery, are also used for the treatment of cancer patients.
• MIS- Another type of brain tumor operation that is employed for the treatment of cancer patients is minimally invasive surgery which removes cancerous cells from the brain. This technique has shown remarkable results with a reduced mortality rate and a faster recovery in patients.
• Targeted therapy- Targeting specific receptors in the body to block the growth of cancerous cells is done with the help of drugs, and this technique is referred to as targeted therapy.

There are several risks associated with a brain tumor operation, which could be life-threatening. This is why you should trust the most advanced cancer care facility with well-qualified doctors for your cancer treatment. A reliable cancer hospital in the country is Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute and Research Centre, with highly specialized medical staff and state-of-the-art infrastructure.