Brain Tumor - Symptoms, Causes &Treatment Options

• Written by Nidhi Goyal

  Reviewed by Munmi Sharma

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A brain tumour is a cancerous or non-cancerous mass of abnormal cells in the brain. This medical condition can occur due to celiac disease, gene mutations, inherited conditions, and smoking. The common symptoms of brain tumours are trouble balancing, memory problems, seizures, hearing problems, dizziness, and loss of feeling in the arm or leg. Surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy can be used to treat them. Let us understand them in detail.

What is Brain Tumour?

A brain tumour is the grouping of abnormal cells together in the brain.

Like every other tumour in the body, brain tumours can be cancerous or non-cancerous. Since the skull encloses your brain, the pressure of brain tumour, whether cancerous or not, can cause tension in the skull bone and eventually other related problems. Only after proper diagnosis can you know the severity of a brain tumour. They range in size; sometimes, small brain tumours are diagnosed because they cause noticeable symptoms. If a brain tumour starts in a less-active part of the brain, it might not cause symptoms immediately.

Types of Brain Tumour

Brain tumours are classified based on their original location and the severity they pose on the person. Following are the brain tumour types you should know about-

Types of Brain Tumour based on the Origin of the Tumour

Based on the original location of the brain tumour, it can be categorized into:

Primary Brain tumour

As the name suggests, a primary brain tumour develops in the brain itself. It may grow at various locations in the brain. A primary brain tumour can grow in:

• Brain cells
• Meninges, the surrounding membranes of the brain
• Nerve cells
• Pituitary gland

Secondary Brain tumour/ Metastatic Brain tumour

Any tumour that reaches the brain from any other body part, like the breast, lungs, kidney, etc., is known as a secondary tumour. It is also known as a metastatic tumour. Metastasised brain tumours may spread from:

• Breast cancer
• Lung cancer
• Skin cancer
• Kidney cancer

Tumours can be cancerous or non-cancerous. Since the brain is extremely sensitive and surrounded by the skull, even non-cancerous tumours can cause various complications. Check down the details:

Malignant Brain Tumour

Cancerous brain tumours are known as malignant brain tumours. They grow rapidly and can also spread to other parts of the brain. Such tumours may turn life-threatening.

Benign Brain Tumour

All non-cancerous brain tumours are known as benign tumours. Usually, 2/3 of brain tumours are benign tumours. They have slow growth, and surgeries can be more effective for benign tumours.

What are The Symptoms of Brain Tumour?

Depending on the location of the brain tumour and its size, the symptoms may vary. Some of the common brain tumour symptoms are:

Headaches that are severe in the morning or while sneezing or coughing

• Headaches while asleep
• Blurred vision
• Double vision
• Vomiting
• Seizures
• Memory loss
• Mental confusion
• Weakness of limbs or facial parts
• Difficulty reading, writing, or understanding
• Difficulty in swallowing
• Difficulty in walking
• Vertigo
• Dizziness
• Loss of balance
• Hand tremors
• Loss of bowel control
• Muscle weakness
• Tingling on the side of the body
• Extreme mood swings
• Changes in moods and behaviour
• Drooping eyelids
• Unequal pupils
• Uncontrolled movements
• Difficulty hearing, smelling
• Change in taste.

In the case of pituitary brain tumours, you may experience the following brain cancer symptoms:

• Galactorrhea
• Nipple discharge
• Menstruation irregularity or lack of it
• Breast tissue development in men
• Hands and feet enlargement
• Low blood pressure
• Obesity
• Tunnel vision
• Heat or cold sensitivity
• Increase in body hair

What are The Causes of Brain Tumour?

Usually, how brain tumours occur can’t be known. Certain chromosome genes get damaged when they occur and cannot function anymore. The DNA in the chromosomes guides the cells on what to do, and when the DNA of the brain cell changes, it gives new instructions to the brain cells. Now, the body grows abnormal brain cells that multiply faster than normal ones. When this happens, several brain cells group and form a tumour.

Various environmental factors like exposure to radiation, certain chemicals, or even previous cancer treatment may be justified as brain tumour causes. The nuclear power plant of Chornobyl is one of the most popular cases of large-scale radiation exposure effects, claiming lakhs of lives in the form of cancer.

The Stages of Brain Tumour & Severity

The severity of the brain tumour depends largely on the type of brain tumour and its size. While some people may live long without complaining, others may experience severe health problems.

Because the skull is a tough bone and leaves no room for abnormal growth inside the brain, any brain tumour can be problematic. Even benign tumours can cause:

• Bleeding in the brain
• Fluid builds up inside the brain
• Blocking of the normal CSF (Cerebrospinal Fluid)
• Fracture of the skull bone
• Pressure on brain tissues nearby, etc.

If it's a benign tumour, the severity of treatment can be less than for malignant tumours. Surgeries and medications may help control the tumour's further spread.

Brain Tumours Diagnosis

The doctor conducts a neurological exam, symptoms, health history, treatments and lifestyle to diagnose the disease properly. Any of the following scans can be used to diagnose tumours:

• CT Scan: Computed Tomography (CT) scan gives cross-sectional brain images through an X-ray camera.
• MRI: Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) creates brain images through radio waves.
• PET Scan: Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scan finds areas where cells consume lots of glucose.

What is the Brain Tumour Treatment?

Several factors decide the treatment of brain tumours such as:

• The number of tumours in the brain
• The location of the tumour
• The size and type of the tumour
• Age
• Overall health

Following are the brain tumour treatment options:

• Brain Surgery: Noncancerous brain tumours are removed with surgery and usually don’t grow again.
• Radiation Therapy: The patient is exposed to high doses of X-rays to shrink the tumour or destroy brain tumour cells.
• Radiosurgery: Concentrated beams of radiations of gamma rays or proton beams are given to the patient to destroy a tumour.
• Chemotherapy: To kill cancer cells, anticancer drugs are given through an injection or as a pill. Chemotherapy is usually recommended after surgery to remove cancer cells, if any.
• Brachytherapy: In this radiation therapy, radioactive seeds or capsules are surgically placed near or in the cancerous tumour.

How to Prevent Brain Tumours?

When a brain tumour is quite a concern among children and older people, you can reduce the risks of developing one. Try to avoid places and events involving radiation exposure. Smoking also increases the risks of cancer and so must also be avoided.

Apart from these, eating healthy, regular exercise, and having a healthy mind have always been basic ‘mantras’ for a healthy life. Also, if you have a family history of a brain tumour, you must let your health expert know about it. It will help to find out if you have genetic syndrome and treat the same

Does Health Insurance cover Brain Tumour in India?

Cancer is a silent disease in general. The mere mention of a brain tumour is stressful. A thorough examination and tests can help you diagnose it properly. Whether malignant or benign, tumours can cause various problems in your brain and the body. To secure yourself financially, invest in a cancer insurance policy. Care Health Insurance covers such diseases if diagnosed after purchasing the policy. The policy covers 32 different critical illnesses, including benign tumours.

With an extensive coverage of up to 6 crores, you can plan for the treatment expenses accordingly without breaking the bank.

Final Word

Brain tumours can deteriorate your life forever. If you are at risk of a brain tumour, it is highly advised to go for regular check-ups. This is not just for at-risk people; everyone should spare time for routine medical check-ups. Also, buying a critical illness plan can be wise to cope with the increasing treatment costs. Protect yourself and your hard-earned savings with a health insurance policy because you are important to yourself and your loved ones.

>>Also Read: What is Carcinoma? Symptoms, Causes & Treatment

Disclaimers:The above information is for reference purposes only: Policy Assurance and Claims at the underwriter's discretion. All plan features, benefits, coverage, and claims underwriting are subject to policy terms and conditions. Kindly refer to the brochure, sales prospectus, and policy documents carefully.