Brain Tumor
Treatment

Table Of Contents

• What Is A Brain Tumor?
• What Causes A Brain Tumor?
• What Are The Symptoms Of A Brain Tumor?
• How Is A Brain Tumor Diagnosed?
• How Is A Brain Tumor Treated?

What is a Brain Tumor?

A brain tumor is a collection of abnormal cells in the brain that forms a mass. A highly tough skull protects the brain. Any expansion in such a small region can lead to complications. The pressure inside the skull rises when the tumors get more extensive, which can even result in brain damage Brain tumors can be cancerous or non-cancerous; that is, it doesn’t mean that if you have a brain tumor, it necessarily is brain cancer.

What Causes a Brain Tumor?

It is a cell’s DNA that carries instructions to teach it what to do. Brain tumor develops when the DNA of healthy cells undergoes mutations. With time, the tumor can develop into cancer, and the cells can grow to invade and destroy normal brain tissue nearby. They can also travel to other body parts to form deposits there (metastasis). Certain risk factors include:

• Radiation exposure: Exposure to ionizing radiation, like, X-Rays, can lead to changes in the DNA of brain cells, leading to a brain tumor.
• Family history: The chances of having a brain tumor increase considerably if any family member suffers from the same.
• Age: A tumor may affect people of any age; however, the frequency of brain tumours rises with age, especially in persons over 65.
• Obesity: Obesity is thought to be one of the factors that can contribute to Meningioma, a type of brain cancer.
• Chemicals: People who work in chemical plants have a higher chance of developing brain tumors. Some industrial chemicals and solvents are hazardous to one’s health; thus, the risk factor is more significant.

What are the Symptoms of a Brain Tumor?

The symptoms of a brain tumor differ widely depending on the size, location, and growth rate.

Brain tumors can induce a variety of indications and symptoms, including:

• Headaches that are new to you or that have changed their pattern
• Headaches that become more regular and severe over time
• Experiencing unexplained nausea or vomiting
• Vision issues like blurry vision, double vision
• Loss of sensation in an arm or leg
• Problems with equilibrium
• Problems with speech
• A sense of exhaustion
• Confusion in ordinary situations
• Difficulty making decisions
• Changes in personality or conduct
• Seizures
• Hearing issues

How is a Brain Tumor Diagnosed?

The tests and procedures include:

• An examination of the nervous system- A neurological exam includes testing vision, hearing, balance, coordination, strength, and reflexes, among other things. Difficulty in one or more regions could indicate which section of the brain is being damaged by a brain tumor.
• Imaging tests- Brain tumors are frequently diagnosed with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
• Taking a tissue sample (biopsy)-If the tumor is small in size, a biopsy can be done along with the surgery to remove the brain tumor.
• X-rays of the skull- Brain tumors can create breaks or fractures in the bones of the head, which can be detected with specialised X-rays.

How is a Brain Tumor Treated?

When a brain tumor is discovered, the initial course of action is usually surgery to remove the tumor. However, due to their position in the brain, some tumors cannot be surgically removed. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy may be used to destroy and shrink the tumor in certain circumstances.

During chemotherapy, medications are used to destroy tumor cells. Before and after surgery, radiation employs an intense energy beam similar to that used in X-rays to target and destroy tumor cells. Radiation treatment is frequently used in conjunction with chemotherapy.

Following therapy, rehabilitation is required, including physical therapy, speech therapy and occupational therapy.