Understanding the Symptoms and Causes of Brain Tumors

A brain tumor is the growth of cells in the brain or near it. The anatomy of the brain is highly complex, with different parts responsible for different functions of the nervous system. Brain tumors can develop in any part of the brain including the protective lining, skull base, brainstem, nasal cavity, and many other areas. There are approximately 120 different types of brain tumors depending on the tissue they arise from. In this article, we will delve into the types, symptoms, and causes of brain tumors.

Types of Brain Tumors- Exploring the Diverse Types

Brain Tumors are of two types:

●       Benign: These types of brain tumors grow slowly and have well-defined borders. They do not invade nearby areas or spread to other parts of the body. However, these tumors can still cause numerous problems by pressing the surrounding structures of the brain.

●       Malignant: These brain tumors on the other hand are cancerous and grow very rapidly. They invade the nearby areas and also spread to various parts of the body. They are the most aggressive form of brain tumors and can be life-threatening. 

Types of Brain Tumors Based on the Position They Arise From

●       Gliomas: This type of brain tumor originates in the nerve cells of the brain tissue. These tumors can be benign but they are mostly malignant. Glioblastoma is the most common type of malignant brain tumor.

●       Choroid Plexus Tumors: These tumors originate in the cells that make fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord. These brain tumors can be benign and malignant and occur mostly in children.

●       Embryonal Tumors: These types of tumors begin from the cells that stay in the brain after the birth of a child. These are malignant brain tumors and happen most often in babies.

●       Germ Cell Tumors: These tumors start in reproductive cells that will go on to become egg cells and sperm cells. Germ cells are often found in ovaries or testes but sometimes they are also found in the brain. They are mostly benign and more common in children.

●       Pineal Tumors: Pineal Tumors start around the pineal gland of the brain. These types of tumors can be both benign and malignant and are common in both children and adults.

●       Nerve Tumors: These tumors happen in and around the nerves. It happens on the main nerve that connects the inner ear to the brain.

●       Pituitary Tumors: These tumors begin in and around the pituitary gland and are mostly benign. The pituitary is a small gland located at the base of the brain and sometimes the tumor tends to occur in the gland itself.

Unmasking the Subtle Symptoms of Brain Tumors: Silent Signals to Help Us Recognize Them

Some common symptoms of brain tumors are:

●       Persistent Headaches: The most common symptom of a brain tumor is a persistent headache especially in the morning accompanied by vomiting and nausea.

●       Seizures: Seizures are also a common symptom of brain tumors, especially in those people who do not have a history of seizures.

●       Memory Problems: Brain tumors can severely affect the cognitive functions of people leading to memory problems and other mental processes like thinking, reasoning, and problem-solving.

●       Vision and hearing problems: Brain tumors that are located near the optic nerve can severely damage hearing and may also lead to double vision, partial or complete loss of vision.

●       Coordination Issues: Brain tumors can affect the cerebellum and other parts of the brain which may lead to balance and coordination issues.

●       Vomiting and Nausea: Brain tumors increase intracranial pressure leading to nausea and vomiting, particularly in the morning.

●       Weakness and Numbness: Tumors can severely affect the normal functioning of the nervous system leading to numbness and weakness in the legs and other parts of the body.

●       Speech Problems: Brain tumors also affect the parts of the brain responsible for speech and language. Hence a person suffering from a brain tumor may have slurred speech, difficulty in finding words, and other problems as well.

Understanding the complex causes of brain tumors from genetics to environment

Although the exact cause of brain tumors is unknown, several factors are considered to be the potential reasons behind the development of brain tumors. The main causes are :

●       Genetic Factors: In some cases, genetic factors are responsible for the development of brain tumors. Certain hereditary conditions like neurofibromatosis and Li-Fraumeni syndrome are the reasons behind the increased risk of brain tumors.

●       Radiation exposure: Exposure to radiation, such as the radiation used for the treatment of cancer or the radiation released during nuclear accidents can also cause brain tumors.

●       Family History: Having a family history of tumors can also be a common cause of brain tumors and might also increase the chances of getting one.

●       Age: Brain tumors can develop at any age but certain types are more common in specific age groups. Medulloblastomas are common in children and gliomas and meningiomas are extremely common among adults.

●       Environmental Factors: Some chemicals and environmental toxins, like pesticides or solvents, may be risk factors for brain tumors, even though the evidence is limited. There's still a long way to go to establish a conclusive link.

India has become a popular spot for brain tumor surgery, offering state-of-the-art facilities and skilled neurosurgeons. Many hospitals and clinics in the country are equipped with the latest technology and advanced surgical techniques that offer 100 percent results to patients. The brain tumor surgery cost in India is budget friendly and above all it's worth investigating the options available in India for brain tumor surgery since the country's healthcare system provides comprehensive care and expertise.