Brain Tumor

Brain Tumor Types

There are various categories of brain tumors, including benign, malignant, and metastatic tumors. Benign tumors are not cancerous and require close evaluation to determine their proximity to vital structures such as blood vessels, nerves, or the brain stem. Malignant tumors are cancerous and can be either primary or metastatic, with the size, type, and location of the tumor being important factors in determining the optimal treatment approach. Metastatic tumors are malignant tumors that result from the spread of cancer cells from another part of the body, with the primary source often being the lung, breast, kidney, colon, or metastatic melanoma. In some cases, metastatic brain tumors may cause symptoms before the primary site is diagnosed, but the primary source can usually be identified in approximately 90% of cases.

Brain Tumor Risk Factors

Doctors have not yet identified the cause of primary brain tumors, but they have identified several risk factors that can increase your susceptibility to brain tumors. Exposure to radiation is one of the most well-known risks, as people who have undergone radiation therapy, repeated CT scans or X-rays to the head, or have a history of cancer are more prone to developing brain tumors. There are also genetic diseases that can put you at risk, such as Neurofibromatosis, Turcot syndrome, Von Hippel-Lindau syndrome, and Li-Fraumeni syndrome. Additionally, individuals who have HIV or AIDS are more vulnerable to brain tumors due to their compromised immune system.

Brain Tumor Symptoms

To begin, let's discuss the general signs and symptoms of a brain tumour, which can vary depending on the type and location of the tumour. Some tumours may not display symptoms until they have reached an advanced stage, posing a significant risk to the patient's health. The following are the most common signs and symptomsare Recurring headaches, which may be accompanied by vomiting in advanced stages, Seizures (fits), Vision problems, Hearing loss, with or without dizziness, Weakness in specific body parts or paralysis, Memory loss or changes in behavior, Numbness in arms and legs, Personality changes, Difficulty walking or balance issues, Facial pain or abnormal movements (spasms). If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is essential to seek medical attention from a qualified doctor at the best neuro hospital in your area. While these symptoms may not always be indicative of a brain tumour, prompt diagnosis is critical. If you are diagnosed with a brain tumour, don't panic. Instead, focus on obtaining effective treatment to regain your health.

Brain Tumor Treatment

Amar Jain Hospital of Neurosciences offers a variety of brain tumour treatments, including surgery, radiation therapy, stereotactic radiosurgery, chemotherapy, medications, and the wait-and-watch approach. The type of tumour and its location determine the treatment options available.

For benign tumours, complete surgical removal is often preferred, but in certain circumstances, a portion of the tumour is left behind to preserve vital nerves. In such cases, radiation therapy, gamma knife or cyberknife therapy, and chemotherapy may be administered to treat the residual tumour. Slow-growing and difficult-to-reach benign tumours, or those that are not causing significant symptoms, may be monitored through regular MRI or CT scans.

Malignant tumours require a comprehensive approach involving surgery, radiation therapy with or without chemotherapy, depending on the cancer stage. Chemotherapy or radiation therapy may be performed in addition to surgery to prevent remaining tumour cells from regrowing or doing so at a slower rate. Advanced radiotherapy machines have fewer side effects and are well tolerated.

Brain Tumor Treatment Cost

The cost of brain tumor treatment at Amar Jain Hospital is determined by various factors such as the size, extent, and grading of the tumor, the type of surgery performed, the post-surgical treatment protocols, management of any other conditions, length of hospital stay, and any additional lab tests or imaging required. To get an estimate of the treatment cost, it is recommended to discuss the surgical and post-op treatment plan with the Amar Jain Hospital patient support team.