Neuro-oncology
Brain tumors can be primary or secondary. Primary brain tumors can be either malignant(contain cancer cells) or benign(no cancer cells). Primary brain tumors are those tumor which develop and enlarge in brain itself while secondary tumors are those which develop in any part of body but later on spread to brain.
The incidence of brain tumors in India ranges from 5 to 10 per 1 lakh population with an increasing trend. It accounts for roughly 2% of all malignancies occuring in human body.
Brain tumor types
When to contact hospital
Diagnosis and treatment
Brain tumors are of many types and are named according to the types of cells or the part of brain in which the develop.
Astrocytomas are the most common primary tumors of brain in adult with majority being high grade gliomas. Second most common tumors are medulloblatoma followed by craniopharyngioma, ependymal tumors and nerve sheath tumors.
Among children the most common type of tumor is medulloblastoma followed by low grade astrocytoma, ependymoma and brain stem glioma.
A growing tumor might compress a nerve or part of brain leading to clinical signs and symptoms in a patient. It depends on tumor size, type and location. Most common presentation can be:
• Headache
• Nausea and vomiting
• Changes in speech,vision or hearing
• Problem in walking
• Changes in mood, personality or ability to concentrate
• Problems with memory
• Convulsions
Clinical examination of the pateint is done to judge the severity of disease. Based on clinical findings further investigation like CT Brain/MRI Brain is done for final diagnosis.
Treatment is planned after reviewing of scans. Depending upon the type of tumor; its location,size and patients age/general condition, further tretment like surgery is planned. After surgery the tumor excised is send for histopathological examination to determine the grade of tumor. Based on final grade of tumor further management like radiotherapy or chemotherapy is planned.