Advanced Treatments for Brain Tumors: Secure Procedures Available – – Dr.G.Sudheer Kumar, Senior Neuro Surgeon
Every year 8th of June is celebrated as World Brain Tumor Day. This initiative was initially taken by German Brain Tumour Association and is now celebrated worldwide to raise awareness and educate people about the brain Tumors. There are lots of myths and misconceptions about brain tumor among the general population.
Brain tumours can be benign or malignant. They can also be either primary or secondary (metastatic). The World Health Organisation classifies these lesions into more than 100 categories and sub-types.
“World Brain Tumour Day shines a light on the myths and misconceptions surrounding this complex condition, urging us to educate and raise awareness. With over 100 categories and sub-types, brain tumours vary in their nature and impact. Recognizing the common symptoms, from headaches and seizures to vision and speech issues, can lead to timely consultation with a neurosurgeon. Age, radiation exposure, and family history may contribute to the risk, but advanced diagnostic tools like CT and MRI scans enable accurate assessment. Surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy offer treatment avenues, while emerging techniques like awake craniotomy show promise. Let’s dispel the darkness of misinformation and provide hope through awareness and support for brain tumour patients worldwide.”
Dr.G.Sudheer Kumar , Consultant – Neuro Surgeon, Manipal Hospital, Vijayawada.
The following are the most common symptoms of a brain tumour: • Headache, nausea and vomiting• Seizures • Progressive weakness of a limb or paralysis of one side of the body • Vision, speech, hearing, or swallowing issues
• Mental or behaviour shifts • Excessive sleepiness.
Depending on the location and type of tumour, these symptoms may appear alone or in groups. We all had headaches at some point in our lives. The headache caused by a tumour feels different, occurs more frequently in the morning, relieved after vomiting and worsens over time. Seizures can be generalised, affecting all of your limbs and causing uprolling of the eyeballs and frothing at the mouth, or they can affect a specific portion of your body. When these symptoms appear, it is best to consult a neurosurgeon.
People of all ages, including children, can be affected by brain tumours. Symptoms, tumour forms, and treatment options may differ. Age, radiation exposure, and, in rare cases, family history may all enhance your chances of developing a brain tumour. A CT or MRI scan is the principal mode of investigation. Occasionally, further testing would be required.
Initially, drugs are used to temporarily alleviate symptoms. These may include pain relievers, nausea and vomiting medications, anti-seizure medications, and medication to reduce swelling around the tumour. Brain tumours are frequently removed surgically. The surgery’s goal would be to remove as much of the aberrant tumour as feasible preserving as much function as possible. If this is not achieved, radiation or chemotherapy may be required. Some tumours in functional areas may require the patient to be awake throughout the procedure to assess preservation of respective function – Awake Craniotomy. Newer treatment options, such as biopsy through a small hole in the skull and focused radiotherapy to only the tumour area, are now available.
As previously stated, medicine, like other sciences, is progressing. Better therapeutic tools are available to assist us in achieving safe and maximum tumour excision. We have made breakthroughs in surgical instruments and microscopes.
It is critical to promote awareness and educate everyone about brain tumours in order to dispel myths and misconceptions. We must recognise that a brain tumour diagnosis does not always imply a dismal prognosis. In most situations, pre- and post-surgery and therapy, as well as rehabilitation and support from friends and family, are essential for the patient’s best prognosis.