Our brain is one of the essential organs in our body. If you have a tumor in your brain, it may affect the functions of your whole body. It is vital not to ignore the symptoms and get treatment as soon as possible.
In this article, Dr. Gurneet Shawney, one of the best neurosurgeons in Thane, talks about a brain tumor.
What is Brain Tumor?
A brain tumor is a collection of abnormal cells in your brain. Your skull enclosing your brain is relatively rigid. If there is any growth inside, it could cause problems as it is in minimal space.
Brain tumors can be cancerous or non-cancerous. When these tumors start growing inside your skull, they can create pressure inside your head, which can increase, causing brain damage. This condition can be life-threatening.
We can divide brain tumors into two categories: Primary and Secondary.
A primary brain tumor starts in your brain. Many of these are benign.
A secondary brain tumor occurs if cancer cells spread to your brain from other organs like the breast or lung.
Dr. Gurneet Shawney is one of the best neurosurgeons in India. He has over 15 years of neurologic experience and has successfully treated hundreds of patients.
Symptoms
The following are some of the symptoms of a brain tumor, says Dr. Gurneet Shawney, one of the best neurologists in Thane.
- Severe headaches in the morning or headaches that wake you up at night
- Seizures
- Vision issues
- Hearing issues
- Dizziness or balance issues
- Difficulty in speaking, understanding, or thinking a language
- Numbness or tingling on your face
- Vomiting or nausea
- Disorientation or confusion
- Difficulty swallowing
- Difficulty in walking
Grades of Brain Tumor
According to one of the best neurologists in Thane, Dr. Gurneet Shawney, the following are the grades of brain tumor:
- Grade 1: The tumor is non-cancerous. The cells look like normal brain cells. This is the least aggressive grade.
- Grade 2: The tumor is cancerous. The cells look abnormal and slow-growing.
- Grade 3: This is a cancerous tumor with cells looking very abnormal and growing actively.
- Grade 4: The cancerous tissue has cells looking most abnormal, and they are multiplying rapidly.
Diagnosis
According to Dr. Gurneet Shawney, the following are the ways your doctor can diagnose a brain tumor:
Your doctor will check your medical history and will perform a physical exam.
This physical examination will involve a thorough neurological evaluation. The doctor will order a test to determine whether or not your cranial nerves (nerves emerging from your brain) are intact.
Your doctor may also conduct an eye exam to check if your pupils react to light. This also allows them to look into your eyes and check if the optic nerve is swollen. Because the pressure increases inside your skull, the optic nerve could show changes.
Your doctor might also examine your:
- Coordination
- Muscle strength
- Memory
To further investigate, your doctor might recommend medical imaging in West Orange, NJ, or wherever you are located. These scans provide a detailed look at the structure of the brain and can help guide further treatment decisions.
Your doctor may require you to get more tests. These can include:
- CT scan of the head: CT scan is the way your doctor can get a more thorough scan than they can with X-rays. This may be done with or without the use of contrast. In a head CT scan, contrast is created by employing a dye that allows doctors to see particular structures more sharply.
- MRI of the head: A special die used during an MRI scan can help doctors detect tumors. MRI provides more detailed pictures than CT scans.
- Angiography: Your doctor will inject a dye in your artery, generally in your groin area, for this investigation. The dye is carried to the streets of your brain. This helps your doctor to examine the blood flow of the malignancies.
- Skull X-rays: Brain tumors can break or fracture the skull bones, and some x-rays can show this has happened. These x-rays are also helpful in detecting deposits of calcium that could sometimes be contained in a tumor. This is an indicator that cancer has reached your bones.
- Biopsy: A tiny piece of the tumor is taken out during a biopsy. A neuropathologist examines it and identifies if the tumor is cancerous or non-cancerous. It also determines where cancer originated.
Treatments
The treatment of a brain tumor will depend on:
- The type of tumor
- The size of a tumor
- The location of the tumor
- And your general health and age
Craniotomy
One of the most common treatments for cancerous tumors is craniotomy. The intention is to remove as many tumors as possible and not cause any damage to the healthy parts of the brain.
Some of the tumors are removed safely in areas that can be easily operated on. However, not all tumors are that easy to remove. If the cancer is located in an area limiting it to be removed completely, then even partial removal can be advantageous.
Micro-neurosurgery
This surgery removes the tumor with the help of image guidance. The main goal of this surgery is to offer precise information about the location and position of cancer in the brain.
In this procedure, brain mapping and surgical navigation technology help your doctors create a three-dimensional image of the brain.
Endoscopic surgery
Endoscopes are helpful for doctors as they allow them to operate through tiny openings. These are long, flexible tubes that are inserted into the surgical sites. They provide light and visual access.
Endoscopic pituitary surgery
This surgery is performed through the nose to remove tumors from the base of your skull and pituitary glands.
Your surgeon will use a long instrument called an endoscope that has a camera and light attached to it to remove the tumor. This allows your surgeon to view areas from different angles and reduces surgical extractions.
Risk Factors
A risk factor is something that increases your chances of developing cancer. These factors can increase a person’s risk for cancer, but it doesn’t mean they will directly cause brain tumors.
- Age: Brain tumors are more common in adults and children, though people of any age can get them.
- Gender: Generally, men are more prone to brain tumors than women. Although, some types of tumors are more common in women.
- Genetics: If anyone in your immediate family has had a brain tumor, it can increase your risk of getting a brain tumor.
- Radiation exposure: If you work in a field where you have been exposed to radiation, it can increase your chances of getting a brain tumor.
Conclusion:
Knowing that you have a tumor in your brain can be very stressful and scary. But if it is detected sooner and at an early stage, you can prevent it by getting surgery, stopping it from spreading.
