Brain Cancer refers to the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the brain or central nervous system (CNS). These cells form a tumour, which can be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous).
Symptoms
What are the symptoms of Brain Cancer?
Common Symptoms
Persistent headaches (often worse in the morning or when coughing/sneezing)
Nausea and vomiting (not related to illness)
Vision problems (blurred or double vision, loss of peripheral vision)
Hearing problems or ringing in the ears
Seizures (new onset in adults is a major warning sign)
Neurological Symptoms
Weakness or numbness in arms or legs
Difficulty with balance or coordination
Trouble speaking or understanding speech
Memory problems or confusion
Personality or behaviour changes
Advanced Symptoms
Severe drowsiness or lethargy
Difficulty swallowing
Loss of consciousness or coma (in severe cases)
Detection
How to detect Brain Cancer?
1. Neurological Examination
What it checks:
Reflexes, muscle strength, balance, coordination, vision, and hearing.
Purpose: Identifies which part of the brain might be affected.
2. Imaging Tests
MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging):
Most accurate for brain tumours.
May include contrast dye to highlight tumour areas.
CT Scan (Computed Tomography):
Quick and helpful in emergencies; detects bleeding and tumours.
PET Scan:
Shows how brain tissues and tumours use glucose (energy).
3. Biopsy (Definitive Diagnosis)
What it is:
Removal of a small sample of brain tissue for laboratory analysis.
Purpose:
Confirms whether the tumour is cancerous and identifies its type and grade.
4. Advanced Diagnostic Tools
Functional MRI (fMRI):
Maps brain activity (useful before surgery to avoid damaging critical areas).
MR Spectroscopy:
Examines chemical changes in the brain.
Lumbar Puncture (Spinal Tap):
Checks for cancer cells in cerebrospinal fluid (especially for cancers that spread to the brain)
5. Genetic & Molecular Tests
Done on biopsy samples to identify mutations (helps plan targeted therapy).
Treatments
What are the available treatments for Brain Cancer?
1. Surgery
Goal: Remove as much of the tumour as possible without damaging critical brain areas.
Types:
Craniotomy: Opening the skull to remove the tumour.
Minimally invasive surgery: Uses advanced imaging for precision.
Why important: Often the first step if the tumour is accessible and operable.
2. Radiation Therapy
Uses high-energy beams (like X-rays) to kill cancer cells.
When used:
After surgery to destroy remaining cells.
For inoperable tumours.
Types:
External Beam Radiation Therapy (EBRT)
Stereotactic Radiosurgery (e.g., Gamma Knife): High-precision radiation for small tumours.
3. Chemotherapy
Uses drugs to kill cancer cells or stop them from growing.
Common drug: Temozolomide (often used with radiation).
Delivery: Oral or intravenous.
4. Targeted Therapy
Focuses on genetic mutations in tumour cells.
Example: Bevacizumab (targets blood vessel growth in tumours).
5. Immunotherapy
Stimulates the immune system to fight cancer.
Checkpoint inhibitors and cancer vaccines are being researched for brain tumours.
6. Tumour Treating Fields (TTF)
A non-invasive device that uses electrical fields to disrupt tumour cell division.
7. Supportive (Palliative) Care
Steroids: Reduce brain swelling.
Anti-seizure medications: Prevent or control seizures.
Rehabilitation: Physical, speech, and occupational therapy after treatment.
