What Is Brain Tumor?
A brain tumor is a growth of abnormal cells in different parts of your brain. Brain tumors are of two types:
- Benign brain tumor
Brain tumors identified as non-cancerous are usually surgically removed and rarely recur. The common features of this type of tumor are:
- They don’t usually spread to the healthy tissue around them, and they don’t spread to other parts of the body. However, it doesn’t mean that benign tumors are harmless. Benign tumors can sometimes press on sensitive areas of the brain and cause serious health problems.
- Benign tumors in the brain can cause life-threatening situations due to the delicate structure of this organ.
- Although rarely seen, benign brain tumors can turn into malignant tumors over time.
- Malignant brain tumor
Malignant brain tumors are cancerous and more dangerous compared to the benign tumors. The general characteristics of this type of brain tumor are as follows:
- Life-threatening complications can occur.
- They grow quickly and tend to spread to the healthy tissue around them.
- In rare cases, the cancer cells contained in these tumors can break away from the brain tumor and spread to other parts of the brain and spinal cord.
Headache is one of the important symptoms of a brain tumor. In India people usually ignore this until it starts interfering with their work or daily life. Instead of resorting to quick self-medication with over-the-counter medications, it is advisable to see the best neurologists in India immediately for recurring headaches.
Are Headaches And Brain Tumors Related?
If you have frequent severe headaches, it can lead to serious underlying complications. Clinical studies show that 50% of patients complain of headache as the main symptom after detecting a brain tumor, while 60% of patients experience headaches while the tumor is developing and being treated. However, to confirm the fear, imaging, biopsy and, if necessary, surgical resection is essential. Headaches alone cannot confirm a brain tumor.
Besides Headache What Are The Different Signs And Symptoms Of Brain Tumor?
The signs and symptoms of brain tumor differ significantly and the symptoms also depend on the tumor size, location and rate of growth. Symptoms of brain tumors can be general and specific. A general symptom is caused due to the pressure of the tumor on the brain. The general symptoms include; Nausea and vomiting, Sleep and Memory problems, loss of balance, Fatigue or tiredness. Certain drugs can help to prevent or control them.
Specific symptoms are caused when a specific part of the brain is not working properly because of the tumor. Specific symptoms include; Changes in judgment, sluggishness, and muscle weakness or paralysis, Partial or complete loss of vision or double vision, speech difficulties, hearing problem, memory loss, inability to look upward, or having problems with emotional state.
Risk Factors Of Brain Tumors:
Risk factors include, Increasing pressure within your skull, causing fluid to build up in your brain, destroying the important brain tissues, or blocking cerebrospinal fluid through the spaces within your brain, causing those spaces to enlarge.
Radiation Exposure: People who have been exposed to a type of radiation called ionizing radiation have an increased risk of developing a brain tumor.
A patient can have a family history of brain tumors: A small percentage of brain tumors occur in humans with a family record of brain tumors or a family record of genetic syndromes which increase the risk of the brain tumor.
How Is Brain Tumor Diagnosed?
If a patient is suspected to have a brain tumor then the best neurologists in India will recommend to do some medical tests and reports in hospital, including:
A neurological exam
A neurological exam may include checking your vision, hearing power, balance, strength, speech and your reflexes.
Imaging tests
A variety of imaging techniques, including CT scan, MRI, occasionally an angiogram or X-rays can be used to identify the tumor.
Biopsy
A biopsy may be done as part of surgery to remove a brain tumor, or a biopsy may be done with a needle. The best neurology hospital in India usually diagnoses the brain tumor and plans the treatment based on other test results.
You must seek the best neurology hospital in India to monitor neurological status and treat complications such as cerebral edema, epilepsy, stroke, pain, etc.
