Brain tumours arise from different cells in the brain . It can arise from various coverings of the brain or from brain tissue it self . There are various types of brain tumour meningioma, ependymoma, glioma etc. Certain bad types of glioma can be life threatening .

Patients of brain tumour can come with frequent headache , weakness in any part of the body , seizures , changes in personality , difficulty in seeing etc

Diagnosis

After evaluation by the doctor , an MRI brain is the most important investigation required for diagnosis of brain tumour.

After detecting the tumour in the brain a biopsy is required . Brain biopsy are of two types stereotactic biopsy or open biopsy. Stereotactic biopsy is done using a small hole made in skull and then inserting a hollow needle to get brain tissue. Open surgery is done by opening the skull ( Craniotomy ) and cutting out the maximum amount of tumour which is possible.

Depending upon how aggressive the tumour appears under microscope the tumour is divided into four grades ,Grade 1 to Grade 4.

Treatment

1. Surgery –

 Is the main treatment of Brain tumour . For low grade tumour only surgery is required if the entire tumour is resected.

1. Concurrent Chemo- radiotherapy – Both chemotherapy and radiotherapy are used together in cases where the complete resection of tumour is not possible and also in Grade II and above tumours.
2. Chemotherapy - Are given in the form of oral drugs or injections which are given in the form of cycles with period of rest in between .

The side effects of chemotherapy depend on the type of drugs , duration of treatment and dose of the drugs . Common side effects are diarrhoea, hair loss, loss of appetite mouth ulcers etc.

For any further queries  you can contact any of the oncologist on this platform .