In general, symptoms of benign brain tumors persist for more than three months, while those of malignant tumors typically last less than three months. Photograph used for representational purposes only
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Brain tumors are on the rise in India, as evidenced by data from various cancer registries since 1982. According to the Global Cancer Observatory 2022 report, brain tumors rank 14th amongst all tumours in India, and are projected to increase in number. One of the primary reasons for this trend is the widespread availability of imaging techniques like MRI and CT scans making for increasing diagnoses and reporting. Brain tumors can develop in people of all ages, and the incidence is nearly equal between men and women.
What are brain tumours?
Brain tumors can be classified as benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). Benign tumors are more common, and they often have a cure and complete recovery. In contrast, malignant tumors may not have cures, but have advanced treatment options that can lead to long disease-free periods.
The symptoms of brain tumors can vary depending on the affected area of the brain or structure. Common symptoms include headaches, dizziness, vomiting, instability, weakness, seizures, and more. Some red flag symptoms include recent-onset headaches accompanied by vomiting, seizures, gradual vision loss, hearing loss, progressive weakness of limbs, and an increase in head size in infants.
In general, symptoms of benign brain tumors persist for more than three months, while those of malignant tumors typically last less than three months. Early identification and appropriate treatment are crucial to achieve the best possible outcomes.
Treatment options
Treatment options for brain tumors range from no treatment with follow-up MRI scans, to medical treatments, stereotactic radiosurgery, biopsies, and surgical excision, with the last being the most invasive. If a biopsy-proven malignant tumor is found, additional treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy may be necessary, depending on the type of tumor.
Metastatic brain tumors require a PET CT scan of the entire body to locate the primary tumor and other metastatic deposits. The treatment and outcomes of these tumors depend on the specific type of tumor.
Glioma is the most common type of brain tumor in children, while meningioma is the most common in adults. Unfortunately, there are currently no preventive strategies for brain tumors. Just to bust a commonly-held myth at this juncture, research has shown that mobile phone use does not increase the risk of developing brain tumors.
What the future holds
The future of brain tumor management holds immense promise. Emerging applications of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and precision medicine are poised to revolutionise the treatment of brain tumors. The use of AI in brain tumor imaging can enhance tumor detection and characterisation, as well as monitor treatment response.
Molecular and genomic profiling of brain tumors can provide personalised treatment options by identifying the gene mutations responsible for the disease and tailoring drugs to the patient’s unique genetic makeup. Newer brain tumor markers, such as microRNA, are being researched for diagnostic, grading, prognostication, and therapeutic targeting purposes. Precision surgery guided by image and robot technology, along with minimally invasive approaches, has significantly reduced the incidence of collateral damage to normal neural structures, leading to shorter hospital stays.
(Dr. Boopesh Pugazhendi is a neurosurgeon at Naruvi Hospitals, Vellore. Email: boopesh@naruvihospitals.com)
Published – June 04, 2025 04:00 pm IST