World Brain Tumour Day 2024: Headache is a common health problem that is faced by the majority of people around the globe. It can be caused by various reasons, among which the most common are stress and fatigue. Other causes are anxiety, depression, lack of sleep, hunger, dehydration, excessive alcohol consumption, and poor eyesight.

A variety of medications can be recommended to get relief from acute headaches and reduce their recurrence. While some headaches are not serious and fatal, in some cases they can be a sign of serious brain conditions like brain tumours, brain haemorrhage, or brain infections.

Dr. Gajendra Singh Sandhu, Consultant Neurosurgeon, Manipal Hospital, Ghaziabad said that a brain tumour is a growth of cells in the brain; this growth can be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). As there is growth in the tumour, pressure inside the brain increases, leading to an increase in the intensity and frequency of headaches. Headache is one of the most common symptoms that occur in the morning and often wakes a person from sleep. Headaches related to brain tumours increase due to coughing, sneezing, or exercise, often accompanied by vomiting or visual blurring.

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A few symptoms other than a headache that one should look for are:

  • Seizures
  • Difficulty thinking
  • Weakness or numbness in one part of the body.
  • Loss of hearing
  • Loss of balance, dizziness

Diagnosis of the brain tumour can be done by:

  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
  • Computed tomography (CT scan)
  • Positron Emission Tomography (PET Scan)

Treatment Of Brain Tumour

The treatment of brain tumours varies depending on their type, size, and location. Some treatments that are mostly recommended are:

Surgery is the primary treatment for brain tumours that are large. The aim is to remove it without causing a fresh deficit. It is mostly achievable in benign brain tumours, depending on the proximity to a critical vessel or nerve. In the case of malignant brain tumours, even after complete removal, there will be a few residual tumour cells left in the depth that won’t be visible even with a microscope.

World Brain Tumour Day 2024 (Image Credits: Canva)

Radiation therapy: high-energy X-rays are used to kill cancer cells and abnormal brain cells to shrink tumours. It is considered an option when the tumour cannot be treated through surgery.

Cyberknife radiosurgery is done on some small brain tumours. In this, a highly focused radiation beam is targeted at the tumour without opening the brain. It is also used for residual tumours post-surgery.

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Laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT) is a technique that is used to treat small tumours, particularly in places that are difficult to reach. It involves a tiny catheter within the lesion, then using a laser to thermally remove the affected tissue.

It is crucial to pay attention to headaches when they are consistent and severe and are accompanied by symptoms like changes in vision, nausea, or dizziness. A brain tumour can be successfully treated if it is detected early. If you are facing any signs of symptoms, it is crucial to visit your healthcare provider immediately. It’s better to be cautious and get checked rather than ignore the signs and risk your well-being.