Brain tumours affect thousands of people worldwide each year. To highlight this serious health issue and the complications that can arise from it, World Brain Tumour Day is observed annually on June 8.
Dr. (Lt Col) Harmandeep Singh Brar, senior consultant in Neurosurgery at Fortis Hospital, Mohali, explains that a brain tumour is the abnormal growth of cells within the brain or the membranes covering it, known as the meninges. Tumours may be either malignant (cancerous) or benign (non-cancerous), but only about 28% of brain tumours are malignant. These may be primary, starting in the brain, or secondary, spreading from cancers in other parts of the body.
According to Dr. Brar, brain tumours can occur at any age, though they are more common in people in their 50s and 60s. Cancerous tumours tend to affect men more often, while benign ones are more frequent in women. Around 5–10% of brain tumour cases have a family history of the disease. Exposure to high doses of radiation also increases the risk.
Symptoms vary, but the most common include persistent and intense headaches—especially in the early morning—often accompanied by vomiting. Other signs include seizures, numbness or weakness in the arms or legs, speech or vision issues, hearing problems or ringing in the ears, difficulty swallowing, dizziness, and problems with balance.
Dr. Brar notes that diagnosis often starts when patients report symptoms like headaches or seizures. Neurological exams and imaging techniques such as a non-contrast CT scan or contrast-enhanced MRI of the brain are crucial for confirming the presence of a tumour.
Treatment depends on the type and severity of the tumour. Options may include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or a combination of these. While brain tumours cannot always be prevented, early detection plays a key role in treatment success. Dr. Brar recommends maintaining a healthy lifestyle, eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, going for routine health check-ups, and avoiding unnecessary radiation exposure to reduce risks and aid early diagnosis.
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