World Brain Tumour Day was on June 8. Doctors tell you symptoms to look out for, treatment and how it is important to pay attention to severe and prolonged headaches
The population in general has first hand knowledge of brain tumour from movies orserials,where the protagonist either dies in the end or comes out with successful surgery, with bald head and a large bandage, and happy ending prevails. Even in real life, large section of the society does not have adequate knowledge about brain tumours.
There is a misconception that every tumour will either kill or result in coma with multiple problems, mental and physical. A mass awareness effort for the public is needed. A large majority of the brain tumours can be treated successfully.Most patients go back to their normal life. According to a study, central nervous system tumours' incidence in India ranges from around 5 to 10 cases per 1,00,000 population. Although a severe disease, adequate knowledge and timely treatment can save many lives.
Not all tumours are cancerous:-
Symptoms
The symptoms of a brain tumour depend on its location in the brain, because each part of the brain controls the specific functions in the body. The symptoms also depends on the rate of growth and the rapidity with which the pressure rises inside the brain.
Not all headaches are due to tumours.
Features with suggest that the symptoms may be of a brain tumour.
CAUSES
Till date the cause for brain tumour is not establish though many theories are being pursued. However this has not prevented increasingly successful treatment.
The need of the hour is to increase awareness about the disease, so that it can be reported in early stage when disease is curable.
The writer is Dr Ashish Shrivastav,
Senior Consultant, Neurosurgeon, Dharamshila Narayana Superspeciality Hospital
Treatment
Edible medicines can treat Brain tumours: While some brain tumours need urgent surgeries, in few cases surgeries can be avoided with medicines. Yes, this fact surprises many but this is truth, edible medicines can also cure particular type of brain tumours. Not all brain tumours are alike. Cases can vary according to age and other factors involved in those cases we doctors keep taking follow ups timely and keep monitoring the tumour. Hence, the treatment of every tumour is decided by the location, size stages etc of tumours.
The treatment of brain tumours can include microscopic or endoscopic surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, etc. Apart from that ongoing progress in medical science and technology have made treatment more advanced and chances of patient's coming to normal lives are getting higher. Undoubtedly still after some major surgeries there is little risk of getting complications like weakness, hormonal imbalance, impaired vision or other problems, but in most cases after timely and proper required treatments patients not even come back to their daily routine rather they lead healthy lives as well. Treatment of brain tumour requires patience and cooperation with the patient. Strong emotional support of family members and friends is required for such patients as any type of mental pressure or stress can lead to more complications. Help such patients in keeping positive attitude and healing.
The writer is Dr Anurag Saxena, Senior Consultant and Clinical Lead, Neurosurgery and Spine Surgery, Narayana Hospital, Gurugram
Don’t ignore those headaches
Headache is the most common medical complaint in our society. Almost all people experience it at some point in their life though the duration, severity and emotional reaction to it differ from person to person.
Most of the time the headache, though troublesome but is harmless. It can be a sign of stress or it may be result of common medical disorders such as migraine, anxiety, depression, refactory error of eyes, sinusitis or high blood pressure. However it can be a symptom of life threatening underlying disease like brain tumor.
Headaches which start in the afternoon and continue till late evening, feels like tight band around head and back of neck are most common and known as tension headache.
Migrain is throbbing headache usually on one side of head, associated with pain in eye on same side and nausea. One feels relief by taking rest in a quiet and dark place.
If one feels bursting headache early in the morning along with vomiting it is usually due to brain tumor. Person with brain tumor may also complain of visual deterioration, imbalance on walking, limb weakness and seizures. Young children usually do not complain till advanced stage of disease. So parents needs to be vigilant.
As headache may be symptom of serious disease it is important to seek medical advice if they become severe, regular or persistent.
The doctor after thorough examination may do certain tests like CT scan or MRI of brain to diagnose the cause of headache to treat accordingly.
The writer is Dr (Prof) Ishwar Chandra Premsagar, Senior Consultant and Chief of Neuro & Spine Surgery, Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute and Research Centre