The World Brain Tumour Day is observed today to create awareness about the consequences of brain tumour, it causes, symptoms and available treatment options. In today’s fast-paced lifestyle and never-ending stress, we often ignore certain warning signs and symptoms that could risk a brain tumour.

Brain tumour is a disorder where the brain cells multiply abnormally. These tumours can either be malignant (cancerous) or it could be non-cancerous(benign). The grading of the tumour from 1 to 4 depends upon the location and how fast the cells multiply and spread to other vital organs.

Certain factors that can up the risk of brain tumour are genetic predisposition, radiation and invasion of cancer cells from other parts in the body.

Brain tumour mimics regular headaches and it is vital in understanding the symptoms at the very beginning for a better treatment plan.

Warning Signs and Symptoms Of Brain Tumour

Recurrent Headaches

A headache is quite a common symptom. However, it is also vital to watch out for sudden continuous headaches that get worse when you cough, bend, sneeze and does not show any relief even after medications.

Seizures

Fits or seizures are usually related to epilepsy, but it could also possibly be a sign of brain tumour. Doctors say almost 60% of patients with tumours experience seizures. Seizure may be partial resulting in spasm affecting certain muscles or specific nerves which varies upon the location of tumour. Nausea, vomiting and headache are some of the signals before a seizure.

Problems With Vision

Some of the common eye problems including observing flashing lights, blurred vision, double vision, floating sight and lower vision could be indications of brain tumour.

Memory Loss

Patients with brain tumour suffer from memory loss, lack of focus and attentiveness and unable to process information especially if the tumour lies in the temporal or frontal lobe. Most often you may not remember people or places you knew previously.

Lack Of Control In Movements

Loss of balance, lack of coordination in the lower extremities, difficulty swallowing and numbness or weakness of the body are a few signals you should never ignore as your brain plays a major role in the motor functions of the body.

If you or anyone you know are suffering from these symptoms never ignore. Visit a neurologist as early as possible.

Diagnosis

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is one of the vital diagnostic tools. Generally, a contrast MRI is done to determine the nature of the tumour, its exact location and how far the tumour has spread.

Angiography is performed in tumour conditions like AVMs and aneurysm.

PETCT is done to know about the metabolic nature of the tumour.

CT scan uses a sequence of X-rays of the brain in various angles to determine the location of the tumour.

Treatment

Partial removal of tumour alleviates the pain and pressure on the brain and lowers the amount of chemotherapy and radiation.