World Brain Tumor Day (Thomaskutty Mathew)

 

World Brain Tumor Day

In India, more than 1 million cases of Brain Tumors are reported per year. Brain tumor is a  cancerous or non-cancerous mass or growth of abnormal cells in the brain. Tumours can start in the brain, or cancer elsewhere in the body can spread to the brain. 

Your skull, which encloses your brain, is very rigid. Any growth inside such a restricted space can cause problems. Brain tumors can be cancerous (malignant) or noncancerous (benign). When benign or malignant tumors grow, they can cause the pressure inside your skull to increase. This can cause brain damage, and it can be life-threatening. 

Brain tumors are categorized as primary or secondary. A primary brain tumor originates in your brain. Many primary brain tumors are benign. A secondary brain tumor, also known as a metastatic brain tumor, occurs when cancer cells spread to your brain from another organ, such as your lung, breast or kidneys. 

What are the risk factors for a brain tumor?

1) Family history

Only about 5 to 10 percent of all cancers are genetically inherited, or hereditary. It’s rare for a brain tumor to be genetically inherited. 

2) Age

Risk for most types of brain tumors increases with age.

3) Chemical exposure

Being exposed to certain chemicals, such as those you might find in a work environment, can increase your risk for brain cancer. 

4) Exposure to radiation

People who have been exposed to ionizing radiation have an increased risk of brain tumors. You can be exposed to ionizing radiation through high-radiation cancer therapies. You can also be exposed to radiation from nuclear fallout.

Symptoms of Brain Tumor

 

* Headaches are a common symptom of a brain tumor. But not all headaches are symptoms of it. Notice if you have headache which is 

~worse in the morning

~when waking up

~occur while you’re sleeping

~are made worse by coughing, sneezing, or exercise

* vomiting

* blurred vision or double vision

* seizures (especially in adults)

* weakness of a limb or part of the face

* a change in mental functioning

* memory loss

* clumsiness

* difficulty writing or reading

* difficulty swallowing

* Vertigo 

* loss of balance

* difficulty walking

* changes in the ability to hear, taste, or smell

* enlargement of the hands and feet

Treatment 

There is of course treatment for brain tumors. Don't be panic. Don't be the one...