‘Headache in morning hours, weakness in limbs, vertigo are warning signs’

Common risk factors

Genetic or hereditary: About 5-10 per cent of the patients have a positive family history of brain tumours.

Environmental factors: Exposure to high dose radiation increases the risk of brain cancer.

Age: Brain tumour can develop at any age but it is more common in the fifth and sixth decade of life.

Gender: Malignant (cancerous) tumours are more common in males and benign lesions frequently occur are in females.

Signs & symptoms

The warning signs of brain tumour depend on the size, location and its type, says Brar, adding, “the most common symptoms are headaches, which is severe during the early morning hours, and is associated with vomiting”. “One may also experience seizures or fits, weakness or numbness in the arms or legs (paralysis), speech disturbances, vision problems, hearing problems or tinnitus, difficulty in swallowing, and imbalance while walking or experiencing vertigo.”

Treatment options

Brar says symptoms along with neurological and radiological examinations such as NCCT (computed tomography) of the head and a Contrast MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) of the brain could help detect the disease. The spectrum of treatment options includes surgery, biopsy, craniotomy for excision of the tumour and the most advanced neuronavigation-based surgery, which can precisely excise the tumour without damaging the normal brain tissue.

Prevention

Adoption of a healthy lifestyle, a balanced diet, regular exercise, health check-ups and avoiding environmental hazards such as unnecessary radiation exposure can help in early detection and treatment, according to Brar.