Brain Tumor Doctor in Delhi

Introduction

The incidence of brain tumors in India ranges from 5 to 10 per 100,000 population with an increasing trend and accounts for 2% of malignancies.

A brain tumor is a mass, or lump in the brain which is caused when brain cells divide and grow in an uncontrolled way. These brain cells grow and divide differently from healthy cells, forming a high-grade (cancerous) or a low-grade (benign) tumor. The space in our skull is restricted. Therefore, this extra growth inside our brain causes more pressure inside the skull, causing life-threatening complications, and also damaging our brain.

There are over 130 different primary brain and spinal tumors which are grouped and named according to the type of cell they grow from, their location in the brain, and how quickly they are likely to grow and spread.

Types of Brain Tumor

Primary Brain Tumours: These tumors grow inside the brain and may spread to nearby body parts. These tumors may also originate in the brain cells, membranes surrounding the brain, nerve cells, and gland primary brain tumors are classified into two groups:
- I. Glial tumors (gliomas)
- II. Nonglial tumor
Secondary Brain Tumours: These tumors spread from other parts of the body to the brain. Lung cancer, breast cancer, kidney cancer, and skin cancer can spread to the brain in the later stages.

Causes of Brain Tumor

The exact cause of brain cancer is unknown. However, brain tumor doctors have identified factors that can increase your risk of brain cancer include exposure to high doses of ionizing radiation and a family history of brain cancer.

Brain Tumor Risk Factors

Risk factors for brain tumors include:

Family history
Age
Race
Chemical exposure
Exposure to radiation
No history of chickenpox

Signs & Symptoms of Brain Tumor

Brain tumor cancer specialists in Delhi have identified some symptoms of the tumors vary according to the type of tumor and the location. Because different areas of the brain control different functions of the body, where the tumor lies affect the way symptoms are manifested. However, some brain tumor specialists agree that it is possible for tumors to have no symptoms until they are quite large and then cause a serious, rapid decline in health. Other tumors may have symptoms that develop slowly.

Some of the most common symptoms are:

Headaches, often in the morning
Nausea and vomiting
Vision problem
Speech difficulty
Hearing difficulty
Problems with balance or walking
Problems with thinking or memory
Feeling weak or sleepy
Changes in your mood or behavior
Seizures
Confusion
Weakness in legs and arms

Brain Tumor Diagnosis

If the doctor notices one or more symptoms in a patient, he/she may suggest series of tests to diagnose suspected brain tumors.

First, the doctor performs a physical and neurological exam. This includes simple tests—like assessments of motor skills and senses—that may help to identify the part of the brain or CNS that's involved.
Next, diagnostic images (like MRI or CT scan) are obtained to confirm that a tumor exists, and if it does, to evaluate its location, size and effect on surrounding tissue. A PET scan, which can tell how tissues and organs are functioning, is used to check for cancer. Before a PET scan is obtained, a radioactive substance (tracer) is injected into the patient's vein—that tracer enables cancer cells to stand out on the image.
Finally, a sample of the tumor is collected either at the time of tumor removal or by a less invasive technique called a stereotactic biopsy, in which the doctor inserts a needle into a targeted area of the brain. A pathologist studies the tumor tissue under a microscope to determine whether it's cancer and, if it is, what type.
Brain tumor cancer specialist doctors in Delhi take all these steps to ensure they get the right diagnosis—the treatment strategy hinges on the type of tumor and how aggressively it is likely to behave.

Brain Tumor Treatment

Treatment for a brain tumor is decided based on the type, size, and location of the tumor, as well as the patient's overall health. Treatment of brain tumors may include surgery, radiation therapy, Chemotherapy, Targeted Drug Therapy, and radiosurgery.

Surgery: This is the most common treatment for malignant brain tumors. The surgeon removes as many of the cancerous cells as possible without damaging healthy brain tissue. Bleeding and infection are 2 possible side effects of surgery. Benign brain tumors can also be removed through surgery.
Minimally Invasive Surgery: It is a type of surgery minimizing surgical incisions to reduce trauma to the body. This type of surgery is usually performed using thin needles and an endoscope to visually guide the surgery. Experts use minimally invasive techniques for this brain tumor surgery to remove the cancerous cells
Radiation Therapy: In this type of brain tumor treatment, radiation like X-rays or protons beams are used to kill tumor cells. This can be done by external beam radiation, where the patientsits in front of a machine and wear a protective covering, leaving only the tumor area exposed. This therapy can also be done via brachytherapy - a device is placed inside the body near the brain tumor that gives out radiation to kill the tumor cells.
Chemotherapy: Drugs are injected or taken orally and they target and kill the tumor cells. Chemotherapy causes side effects like hair loss, vomiting, nausea, and tiredness.
Targeted Drug Therapy: Certain types of brain tumors are treated with drugs that target specific abnormalities that are present in the tumor cells by blocking them. This causes cancerous cells to die.
Radiosurgery: This treatment method is where many beams of radiation are focused onto the brain tumor to kill the tumor cells. Various technologies like the linear accelerator and gamma knife are used to treat the brain tumor with radiation.

Brain Tumor Follow-Up

Follow-up may include regular physical examinations with a brain tumor cancer specialist, medical tests, or both. Doctors want to keep track of recovery in the months and years ahead. Many brain tumors are very likely to recur or come back, so you should be routinely monitored for new symptoms and with regular MRI scans. How often you schedule follow-up visits and have scans depends on the type of the tumor and other factors, so your doctors will talk with you about your exact schedule.

How long before brain tumor symptoms show?

There aren’t any specific symptoms of a brain tumor. But, some common signs are as follows-

Severe headaches early morning or with daily activity
Seizures
Fever, rash, raised pulse
Losing control of body functions
Fatigue, pain, or nausea
Sleeping problems
Change in vision, sensation, or smell
Memory changes or loss of awareness (partial/complete)

However, many people may not experience these symptoms. So, instantly consult a doctor when you notice any weird body changes or issues. And if you are facing any signs of a brain tumor, you can consult Dr. Priya Tiwari. She is a brain tumor specialist in Delhi to get the best supportive care and treatment for your disease.

Can you survive with a brain tumor?

The survival of a brain tumor patient depends on various factors. Such as the type, grade, position, and size or shape of a tumor. Also, it is different for adults and children. And survival for cancerous brain tumors is 40% for a year, and 10% persist with their cancer for five years, or maybe more. Some types of tumors cannot be treated and cause death. But, one must not lose faith and courage. The leading brain tumor specialist in Delhi, like Dr. Priya Tiwari, is the ray of hope for such patients. She has successfully treated many brain tumor patients. With the huge progress in medical sciences, chances of cure and survival have increased greatly.

Does stress cause brain tumors?

Stress is not a direct cause of brain tumors. But, it may induce signals to the cells that may develop into tumors. Stress may affect existing brain tumor patients. Also, higher stress levels can cause various health issues and affect your brain badly. The symptoms may be the same as tumors, but it is not necessarily the same. Besides, you must quickly consult a doctor if you face any issues or related signs. However, there is no such proof that people with stress can get brain tumors.

At what age can brain tumors occur?

Brain tumors can occur at any age. But, older people between the ages of 80 to 89 have more risk of getting this disease. Even the teens till 20 years are diagnosed with brain tumors. And 9% of people ages 20 to 35 are detected with this fatal disease. Besides, low-grade tumors like gliomas develop in children aged 5 to 8 years. Also, a common brain tumor in children up to 10 years is called Medulloblastomas.

Can you feel brain tumors?

In the initial stages, you may not notice any symptoms. You can only feel it when it becomes large and puts pressure on your brain or nerves. And it causes headaches quite different from normal or tension headaches. So, you may experience severe headaches often, which won’t go by any pain relievers or aspirin. If you are going through such strong headaches along with sensory changes and different issues, reach out to your doctor immediately. Your physician can understand your problem well and suggest what’s best for you.

Videos

Know more about Brain Tumors with Delhi's leading Medical Oncologist Dr. Priya Tiwari

Watch Video

Book An Appointment