World Brain Tumour Day: All About Brain Tumour- Risk Factors, Symptoms And Treatments

World Brain Tumor Day is observed on the 8th of June every year. The German Brain Tumor Association initially took this initiative and it is celebrated worldwide to educate people about the brain tumor. 

What is Brain Tumor? 

When abnormal cells grow inside the brain and are in the form of a mass the condition is called a brain tumor. There are various types of brain tumors that exist. Some of the existing brain tumors are malignant or cancerous while others may be non-cancerous.

A brain tumor can begin in any part of the brain and spread to other parts of the body or vice-versa. The growth rate of brain tumors is different for each individual suffering from it.

What are the symptoms of a Brain Tumor? 

If a person is suffering from a brain tumor he/she may be exhibiting the following symptoms: 

• Headaches in the morning after waking up, while sleeping

• The headaches will get worse after coughing and sneezing

• Vomiting

• Change in the mental functioning

• Confusion

• Clumsiness

• Effect on the memory

• Loss of balance

• Numbness or tingling sensation on one side of the body

• Trouble in speaking

• Blurred vision

• A person might have seizures without any previous history of neurological disease

Risk Factors of a Brain Tumor 

There are some risk factors that increase the risk of brain tumors in individuals

• The risk of brain tumors increases with age.

• This condition can also be inherited from the family however, the chances are only 5 to 10 percent.

• The risk of brain tumors increases in people who have been exposed to ionizing radiation.

• If a person is exposed to certain chemicals then they have an increased risk of suffering from a brain tumor.

Treatment of Brain Tumor

The treatment of brain tumors depends on the location, size, and type of the tumor. The general health of the patient is also taken into consideration. The treatment which is common for brain tumor is surgery. The objective of the surgery is to remove as much of the tumor as possible without damaging the other parts of the brain. For surgery to take place the tumors must be located within the area of limits of the surgery.

Doctors may suggest the following treatments according to the type, grade, and position of tumor and the general health of the patient.

• Surgery

• Radiation therapy

• Chemotherapy

• Anti-seizure medicines

• Steroids

• Ventricular peritoneal shunt

• Combination of treatments