Brain Tumors: Rare but Life-Changing – Early Awareness Matters
World brain tumor day is observed on 8th June every year to create awareness about brain tumors and acknowledge the trials and tribulations of the brave brain tumor patients and their treating medical personnel. These are rare tumors when compared to other tumors of the body and constitute approximately 1-2% of newly diagnosed cancers of the body. The longevity and quality of life of the patients is significantly affected by brain tumors.
It can affect any age group including newborns and very elderly. Presentation is varied consisting of headache, seizures, limb weakness, alteration in cognition, memory or consciousness, imbalance, decreased vision, hearing or speech, to name a few.
Not all headaches are due to brain tumors. As a matter of fact only about 1.5% of patients with headache will have a brain tumor on MRI.
Up to 70% of these tumors may be benign and can be managed effectively. Unfortunately around 30% are malignant ( cancerous) resulting in existential crisis. Despite astronomical advances in many cancers, survival in malignant brain tumors is still dismal.
Key to improved outcomes and survivals are awareness, early detection and appropriate evidence based intervention.
Treatment varies from minimally invasive stereotactic or endoscopic biopsy to radical open surgery, removal of tumor followed by radiation and chemotherapy with acceptable outcomes. Newer treatment options being explored are gene therapy, targeted therapy, tumor-treating fields and immunotherapy.
