The German brain tumour association group first celebrated brain tumour day on 7th June 2000. Since then, it was celebrated as an international event dedicated to Brain tumours patients and caregivers. Brain tumours are a group of tumours that originate from different cell of the brain. They are generally divided into benign and malignant tumours. Benign tumours are slow-growing and do not lead to immediate symptoms, but malignant tumours are fast-growing tumours that lead to symptoms.
Brain tumours that are arising from the brain are. Allied primary brain tumours and tumour which are originating from other body organs and metastasis to the brain are called secondary tumours.
Brain tumours usually present with headache, vomiting, abnormal body movements, change In the vision, change in hearing, focal weakness in limbs, behavioural changes etc. These tumours are generally evaluated with the help of CT and Mri scans of the brain and with PetCT in case of secondary brain tumours. Sometimes blood tests are also done along with these scans.
The primary treatment of brain tumours is surgery, follows by Radiotherapy along with some oral drugs. In certain situations in which surgery is not possible, the only Radiotherapy is done with oral medications.
There are chances that these tumours come back after local treatment, so these patients are kept on follow up, and Mri brain is done during follow up. During follow up, these patients are treated with oral drugs. Sometimes some anti seizures drugs are also given to these patients. During follow-up, some patients show disease-related symptoms, which are further evaluated by special scans, and if the disease is reconfirmed again, surgical options can be re-explored.
Nowadays option of stereotactic radiosurgery is also available. In suitable patients, this technique shows equivalent response rates as compared to surgery.
There is an upcoming role of targeted therapy also of disease that is coming back after treatment.
On this day, I take an opportunity to raise awareness regarding brain tumours and express my gratitude to patients and their loved ones.
