Brain tumour is one of the major causes of death in India. The cases are on a continuous rise where more than 28,000 new cases are being diagnosed every year. Thousands of people are also losing their lives because of this neurological ailment. Onlymyhealth got in touch with Dr. Aditya Gupta, Director, Neurosurgery, Agrim Institute for Neurosciences, Artemis Hospital to understand how can brain tumour be treated. He spoke about the importance of endoscopic surgery for brain tumours.
What is Brain Tumour and how to identify its symptoms?
Brain tumour is a mass of cells that grow abnormally in the brain. These cells can be both cancerous as well as non-cancerous. If the cells are malignant, they may grow into a tumour and can be life-threatening for the person. The signs and symptoms of brain tumour depend on the location and size of the tumour. The initial warning signs of brain tumour are:
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- Morning headaches
- Double vision or blurred vision
- Difficulty in focus and concentration
- Seizures
- Vomiting
- Limb weakness
There are different types of brain tumours primary and secondary. While primary tumours are benign, secondary tumours are mostly metastasized that grow and spread to other parts of the body causing various cancers.
Risk factors for brain tumour
Before talking about the diagnosis and treatment, let us tell you what puts a person at risk of developing brain tumour. Tumour doesn’t grow all of a sudden but there is a gradual growth. Here are the possible risk factors:
Age- While people aged 55 years and above are highly susceptible to this disease, children aged between 3 to 15 years are also at risk.
Also Read: Diagnosed With Tumor In Brainstem, Know How This 12 YO Boy Is Now Tumor-Free
Family history- If anyone in your family had brain tumour, you may also be at risk. However, hereditary brain tumour chances are very less. But to be on the safe side, you must consult your doctor and get yourself checked.
Chemical and radiation exposure- Those who are extremely exposed to chemicals and radiation are highly vulnerable to brain tumours.
Why Endoscopic surgery is better than other conventional treatments for brain tumour?
Before knowing about the treatment, we must understand the diagnosis. Dr. Aditya Gupta explains that physical examination along with certain brain tests can only diagnose brain tumour. While the CT Scan is better than X-ray examination to find a tumour, MRI is better than CT scan as it provides a clearer picture. Angiography is another option that is preferred to diagnose brain tumour.
Also Read: What Are The Best Treatment Options Available for Brain Tumour?
What is Endoscopic Brain Surgery?
Now, let’s explain to you what is endoscopic surgery and why it is better.
Endoscopic brain surgery is a less-invasive surgery that neurosurgeons perform. The risk of damage is less and the recovery rate is high in endoscopic surgery. In this surgery, a thin tube is inserted into the skull. This tube is called endoscope and it has a camera attached to it that provides video images of the brain. Neurosurgeons then diagnose the problem and remove the malignant tumour from the brain. With a crystal clear view of the brain, it becomes easier to provide treatment without causing any damage. This is why endoscopic brain tumour surgery is better.
If you experience any unusual symptoms related to your brain and cognition, get yourself tested. Timely diagnosis and early treatment can not only avert cancer risk but also help in minimizing complications that may occur during the surgical procedure.
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