What is Brain Tumor?
A brain tumor is an abnormal cell growth in the brain or near it. The brain anatomy is very complex, with different parts contributing to different nervous system functions.
A brain tumor can develop anywhere in the brain or skull, including its protective lining, at the base of the skull, brainstem, nasal cavity, and sinuses.
Primary brain tumors begin to develop in the brain and sometimes, the cancer spreads or metastasises to the brain from different parts of the body, called metastatic brain tumors.
Brain Tumor Types
Over 150 different types of brain tumors have been identified and the major brain tumour types are:
Benign Brain Tumor
Non-cancerous brain tumors are referred to as benign tumors. Types of benign brain tumors include:
- Meningiomas: This is the most common type of primary brain tumor and grows slowly.
- Pituitary adenomas: This type of tumor is slow-growing and forms at the base of the brain, in the pituitary gland.
- Schwannoma: A common type of benign brain tumor in adults, schwannoma develops from the Schwann cells in the cranial nerves.
- Glomus jugulare: This type of tumor is located right under the base of the skull at the top of the neck or jugulare vein.
- Carniopharyngiomas: These tumors usually arise from a part of the pituitary gland and are difficult to treat due to its location deep inside the brain.
- Chordomas: This is a slow-growing type of tumor that develops at the base of the skull and the bottom of spine.
- Gangliocytomas: Anaplastic gangliomas and gangliomas are other rare types of tumors that form in the nerve cells.
Malignant Brain Tumors
About 78 percent of the malignant or cancerous brain tumors are gliomas. The types of gliomas include:
- Astrocytoma: The most common type of cancerous brain tumor and commonly occurs in the cerebrum.
- Medulloblastoma: This is the most prevalent malignant brain tumor in children and grows at the base of the skull at a fast pace.
Other types of malignant brain tumors include oligodendroglioma, ependymomas, and glioblastoma.
Secondary or Metastatic Brain Tumor
A metastatic brain tumor or secondary brain tumor originates in other parts of the body and then metastasizes or spreads to the brain. These may include skin cancer, breast cancer, lung cancer, kidney cancer and colon cancer.
Early Symptoms of Brain Tumor
Brain tumour signs and symptoms depend on the size and location of the brain tumor. The symptoms of brain tumor might also vary based on how fast the brain tumor is growing (tumor grade).
Early brain tumor symptoms to watch for include:
Persistent headaches, which may include:
- Headache that worsens in the morning.
- Headaches that can sometimes be described as migraines or tension headaches.
- Nausea or vomiting: Consistent nausea or vomiting, especially in the morning.
- Vision problems: Such as blurry vision, double vision or complete loss of vision in one or both eyes.
- Hearing and speech problems: Difficulty in understanding speech, speaking or changes in the ability to hear.
- Cognitive or behaviour changes: Changes in personality or difficulty in problem solving and concentrating.
- Coordination issues or trouble with balance: Problems with coordination, balance or difficulty walking.
- Unexplained tiredness or fatigue: Persistent feeling of tiredness that interferes with daily life chores.
Point to remember:
Brain tumors do not always cause symptoms. In fact, meningioma, the most common brain tumor in adults, often grows so slow that its symptoms go unnoticed. It is therefore important to consult a neurologist or brain tumor doctors for thorough evaluation as early diagnosis and treatment is crucial for managing brain tumors effectively.
Brain Tumor Risk Factors
Even though the cause of brain tumor is not known, several risk factors increase the chances of being diagnosed with a brain tumor. Some important brain tumor risk factors are:
- Age: The risk of brain tumor increases with age and is most common in older people aged 85 to 89.
- Radiation: Radiation exposure accounts for a small number of brain tumours.
- Family history: Certain genetic conditions increase the risk of a brain tumor, such as tuberous sclerosis and Turner syndrome.
The exact brain tumor symptoms depend on the size of the tumour, the part of the brain affected and the speed of growth of the tumor. While prevention is not possible, recognising early brain tumor symptoms and lowering the risk by taking steps like quitting smoking and radiation exposure can make a difference.
Article By Dr. Aditya Gupta
Chairperson - Neurosurgery & CNS Radiosurgery & Co-Chief - Cyberknife Centre
Artemis Hospitals
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the symptoms of brain tumors in females?
In general, the common symptoms of brain tumor in females may include:
- Seizures or convulsions
- Headaches
- Difficulty thinking and finding words or speaking
- Behaviour or personality changes
- Numbness or paralysis in one side or part of the body
- Loss of balance
- Hearing loss and vision changes
Is a brain tumor curable?
The outlook for a malignant brain tumor depends on factors like its location, size and what grade it is. In some cases, a brain tumor can be cured at an early stage, however it often comes back and is hard to cure.
Can I live a normal life with a brain tumor?
Depending on your age at the time of diagnosis, it is possible to lead a full, normal life after a brain tumor treatment. Depending on the location, size and how it responds to treatment, a brain tumor may also lead to death or come back despite treatment if it is fast-growing (high-grade).
Is a brain tumor painful?
Headaches caused by a brain tumor cause pain that is worse than straining or coughing. Most often, people with brain tumors report a tension headache. For some people, these headaches may also feel like a migraine. Brain tumors located in the back of the head can cause headache accompanied with neck pain.
