Mr. Joginder Singh
Patient Testimonial
What is a Brain Tumour?
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.
What is a Brain Tumour?
Why does it happen?
- 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
Types
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
Secondary
- 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
What to look for
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
