04/18/2023
With more than 120 different types, brain tumors account for about 85 to 90 per cent of all tumors affecting the central nervous system. These are solid masses of abnormal cells and tissues that develop due to certain mutations in the DNA of the brain cells. Brain tumors can give rise to a variety of symptoms based on their type, location and several other factors. These can range from mild headaches to severe seizures. Early detection of these symptoms can help to facilitate timely treatment, which is the key to effective treatment. However, due to the lack of awareness, a lot of people overlook the symptoms or mistake them for some other condition. In this Blog, we have listed some common signs of brain tumor that you should know about, with the help of the experts specializing in Brain Tumor Surgery in Jaipur.
There’s more to Brain Tumor than you know
Most of us have heard the term brain tumor before and a lot of people know exactly what it means, i.e. an abnormal mass or lump in the brain. The question is, What causes this lump and how does it affect us? Let’s try to understand in detail.
A brain tumor refers to a mass of abnormal cells and tissues that develop in the brain as a result of uncontrolled cell division. The DNA, which is responsible for controlling the growth and multiplication of cells, can undergo certain changes/mutations that can disrupt its ability to regulate normal cell growth. As this happens, the cells start to multiply at an uncontrollable rate and gradually accumulate, resulting in the formation of a solid lump known as a tumor. Depending on the nature of the cells, the tumor can either be malignant/cancerous or benign/non-cancerous. Although the former is more aggressive as compared to the latter, both carry potential, life-threatening risks.
The brain is surrounded and protected by the skull. The experts from the top Neurosurgery hospital in Jaipur suggest that as the tumor grows, it takes up a lot of space, thereby compressing against the important structures of the brain and disrupting their function. If the tumor is malignant, the abnormal cells gradually replace the healthy ones, leading to the progressive decline of brain function. While benign brain tumors develop in the brain itself, malignant brain tumors can also be a result of the metastasis of cancerous cells from some other area of origin. In simple words, benign brain tumors are always primary, whereas malignant brain tumors can be primary, as well as secondary.
Watch out for these symptoms
- Seizures and Muscle Spasms - Both symptoms are caused by abnormal brain activity and are commonly seen in people with epilepsy. However, sometimes, these can also be an indication of a brain tumor as they can also disrupt the normal activity of the brain. If you have been experiencing unusual jerks and spasms lately, you should definitely consider seeing a specialist.
- Having Headaches every now and then - When we experience a headache, we usually take medicine or rest for some time to relieve it, however, if you have been experiencing the problem more often lately, chances are that you need more than just medicine. Headaches, especially localized ones, could be due to the build-up of pressure in the brain, which is very likely to happen if you have a tumor.
- Numbness or Weakness on one side - Although both the signs are related to stroke as well, these are not as persistent in the case of a brain tumour, which means that you may experience these occasionally. The fact that the signs are so subtle is the reason why a lot of people tend to ignore these.
- Problems related to Eyesight - Problems related to vision can be triggered by a brain tumor if it presses against the optic nerve. If you have been experiencing problems like increased light sensitivity, double vision and blurred vision, you should consider seeing an expert.
If you have been experiencing any of these symptoms, you should consult the top neurosurgeons in Jaipur and get yourself evaluated.