Brain tumours are a devastating medical condition that affects thousands of people each year. This can cause physical and mental symptoms that can differ depending on the type, location, and stage of the tumour. Awareness about the condition can help catch the symptoms early on, which could have a significant impact on the treatment and recovery. Let’s take a look at what brain tumors are, their potential causes, and five groups of people who are more vulnerable to them.What are brain tumours
A brain tumour is a growth of cells in the brain that multiplies in an abnormal, uncontrollable way. Depending on its location, the brain tumours are classified into two types: primary, which originates in the brain, and secondary, which spreads from elsewhere in the body lungs or breast.Brain tumours are graded according to how fast they grow and how likely they are to grow back after treatment. Grade 1 and 2 tumours are low grade, and 3 and 4 are high grade. There are two main types of brain tumours, non-cancerous aka benign and cancerous aka malignant. The last category belongs to the high grade (grades 3 and 4), and is more severe.What are the causes of brain tumour
While the exact causes of brain tumors remain largely unknown, certain factors such as genetics, environment, and lifestyle influence the risk. These include age, environmental factors, body weight, and other genetic mutations.
People who are vulnerable
Certain groups face a higher risk of developing brain tumours due to genetic, medical, or environmental factors. Here are five populations particularly susceptible. Older adults: Though brain tumours can appear at any age, the risk increases with age. Brain tumors like glioblastomas and meningiomas are more common in individuals over the age of 50. Age-related cellular changes and accumulated genetic mutations may also contribute to this increased risk.People exposed to radiation: Exposure to ionising radiation can increase the risk of brain tumours. People who have undergone radiotherapy, or very rarely, CT scans or X-rays of the head, are at high risk. Those working in close proximity to radiation are likely to have an increased risk of brain tumours. Studies show that children treated with cranial radiation for cancer are particularly vulnerable to secondary brain tumors later in life.Overweight or obese individuals: Being overweight and obese is linked with increased risk of certain types of cancers, including the type of brain tumour called meningioma. According to Cancer Research UK, about 2% of diagnosed patients are caused by overweight or obesity.Individuals with genetic syndromes: People who have rare genetic syndromes also have an increased risk. These syndromes include neurofibromatosis (NF) type 1 and type 2, tuberous sclerosis (TSC), Li-Fraumeni syndrome, Von Hippel-Lindau syndrome (VHL), Turner syndrome, Turcot syndrome, and, Gorlin syndrome. These syndromes involve mutations in genes that regulate cell growth, predisposing individuals to tumors like gliomas or schwannomas.Family history: While most brain tumors are not directly hereditary, a family history of brain tumors or related cancers can elevate risk. People who have a close relative with a brain tumour are more at risk compared to the general population. Genetic predispositions, even without a diagnosed syndrome, may play a role in a small percentage of cases.