NOT ALL BRAIN TUMOURS ARE CANCEROUS

World Brain Tumour Day is an annual international event organised with the aim to raise awareness, debunk myths and promote early diagnosis of brain tumours. In the last decade, there have been rapid advances in our understanding of brain tumours. There are many different types of brain tumours and not all of them are cancerous.  Brain tumours are the result of excess cell growth in the brain. Sometimes these cells grow and continue to thrive, without being stopped from spreading further. It’s these cells that become a brain tumour, which may or may not be cancerous. Brain tumours can be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous), based on how much they have grown and spread in the brain.

 COMMON SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

• Headache
• Vomiting
• Seizures
• Progressive paralysis
• Difficulty in talking
• Memory disturbances
• Decreased / blurred vision
• Hearing problems

TYPES OF BRAIN TUMOURS

• Tumours coming from Brain Substance
• Tumours coming from coverings of brain
• Tumours coming from nerves
• Pituitary tumour etc

MYTHS & FACTS

Myth 1: All headaches are due to Brain Tumour

Fact: Though Headache is one of the major symptoms of Brain Tumour, less than 1% of headaches are Tumour related. Primary headache like migraine is very common.

Myth 2: Seizure will lead to Brian Tumour

Fact: Some patients with Brain Tumour present with seizures but it is not true that all patients with seizures can develop tumours.

Myth 3: All Brain Tumours are cancerous

Fact: There are many different types of brain tumours and not all of them are cancerous.

Myth 4: Brain Tumours are incurable

Fact: Many brain tumours are curable with advanced techniques. Even cancerous tumours can be treated successfully. Early diagnosis is the key to save lives.

Myth 5: All Brain Tumours require open surgery

Fact: Some brain tumours can be treated by non-surgical methods like Radio Surgery & endoscopic minimally invasive surgery

RISK FACTORS

• Smoking
• Radiation Exposure
• Genetic Factors
• Age-related factors
• Exposure to Chemicals

Dr. Bala Rajasekhar Chandra Yetukuri

MS, M.Ch (PGI Chandigarh), Neurosurgery Consultant

Brain & Spine Surgeon, STAR Hospitals

For Appointments, Call: 040-4477 7777