Understanding Brain Tumours

A brain tumor is a collection of abnormal cells in the brain tissue. Some tumors are benign (non-cancerous) and others are malignant (cancerous). We name tumors by their type of cells or where they tend to occur.

What is a Brain Tumour? Why does it happen? Types What to look for

A mass of abnormal cells in the brain tissue due to uncontrolled multiplication and accumulation is a brain tumour. These can be non-cancerous (benign) or cancerous (malignant) and may vary in shape and size.

With a 120 types accounting for a staggering statistic of 85-90% of all primary tumours of the nervous system, brain tumours are the new bane of mankind’s existence, what with it being the prime cause of solid cancer-related mortality in children below the age of 20.

More Information

Although pinpointing a specific cause isn’t currently possible, unhealthy DNA mutations is widely believed to be the perpetrator resulting in an uncontrolled growth and an eventual tumour formation. Factors that can contribute to an increased risk include:

• Family history, ~5-10% of all cases
• Age
• Chemical Exposure, at home or a workplace
• Radiation Exposure, from medical treatments or due to a nuclear fallout
• No history of chicken pox

Primary

Originates in the brain itself i.e May develop from brain cells, nerves, et all. These can be:

Malignant:

• Cancerous
• Aggressive, fast-growing
• May result in permanent disability or even death
• Of these, the most common are ‘Gliomas’, which make up ~78% of all cases
• Astrocytomas, ependymomas, glioblastoma multiforme, medulloblastomas and oligodendrogliomas are all types of these ‘gliomas’.

Benign:

• Non-cancerous
• Not as aggressive
• Slow-growing
• May compress normal brain cells and functions due to increased size
• These include: chordomas, cranipharyngiomas, gangliocitomas, meningiomas, pituitary adenomas

Benign:

Aka Metastatic Brain Tumours - which spread to other parts of the body)

1 in 4 brain tumour patients are likely to have a metastatic brain tumour

Brain tumours may elicit non-specific symptoms and at times, none at all! Here’s what to keep an eye out for:

• Frequent headaches
• Seizure and tremors
• Compromised motor functions
• Personality changes
• Partial or complete paralysis
• Dizziness or fainting
• Defects in vision and hearing
• Nausea and vomiting
• Swallowing difficulties
• Speaking difficulties
• Confusion
• Loss of balance

Comprehensive Neurological Care

All In One Place

At IBS, we aim to offer you groundbreaking new technology and procedures to ensure the best possible outcome. A combination of cutting-edge radiotherapy, minimally invasive surgical procedures and post-procedural observation has been developed to ascertain the safest care for you and your loved ones.

Our treatment modalities include:

Non-Surgical Radiotherapy:

Surgical Therapy:

Brain tumours are usually treated surgically along with a combination of therapies, like radiotherapy, which may be given either before the treatment - to reduce the size of the mass, or after the treatment - to destroy any remaining cancerous cells.

Our aim: To extract the tumour while still preserving as much healthy tissue as possible.

Our combination of:

Awake Craniotomies + Personalised Brain Mapping

Before the surgery

• A series of tests to assess the tumour
• Possible treatment options discussed with your panel of doctors
• A curated treatment plan, based on your preference

On the day of the surgery

• Hospital arrival + Check-in
• Guided Surgical Team and Staff introductions
• Personalised escort to the operation theatre

Recuperation in the hospital

• Post-operative critical care and observation
• Planned hospital stay - usually a day or two
• Close monitoring and assessment by your assigned caregivers
• Physiotherapy and rehabilitative measures to guide you through the recovery phase
• A discharge plan will be curated and given to you, containing vital information about your medication and rehabilitation.

Recuperation at home

• Wound care briefing
• Guidelines on your medication, diet, daily activity limits will be provided
• Scheduled follow-ups to assess recovery
• Outpatient physical, occupational and speech therapy

Follow up care

• Stay in touch with your doctor to ensure a speedy hassle-free recovery.
• Regular followups are provided as a part of our treatment model to ensure that you and your doctor are on the same page.

Our Technology

Here’s what we use, to give you the best care, from across the globe:

• 

  Connectomics

  A precision guided, omniscient technology aimed at delivering what we already know to be true: no two brains are alike, so how can one brain map work for two people? A one-size-fits-all approach might work for a lot of things, but Neurosurgery isn’t one of them. With personalised brain mapping, neurohealthcare is now customised to each individual.
• 

  Awake Craniotomies

  The main surgical procedure wherein you’d be awake and able to guide your surgeon to the correct area of the brain requiring treatment, based on your responses. In other words, you’re in charge.
• 

  Robotic Microscopy

  A redefinition of surgical clarity - the Kinevo 900 is designed to ensure a disruption-free flow of surgical interventions, aimed at visualising precise neurological structures, effortlessly.
• 

  CUSA (Cavitron Ultrasonic Aspirator)

  With low-frequency ultrasound energy used to emulsify and extract diseased tissue, CUSA has proved to be a boon to complex surgical procedures.