Brain Tumor Surgery
A brain tumor is an abnormal cell growth in the brain that continue to multiply without any control. There are different types of brain tumors where some of them are cancerous and some are benign. But they are broadly classified as primary and secondary brain tumors. Primary tumors develop inside the brain. Secondary tumors are the ones that develop in other body parts and then spread to the brain.
Whether a brain tumor is cancerous or not, it can affect the functioning of your brain and shows adverse effects on your health.
Are There Any Signs of Brain Tumor?
The signs of brain tumor are based on the size and location of the tumor. The signs can be general and specific. General symptoms are caused by the pressure of the tumor on the brain. A specific symptom is caused when a particular area of the brain is not working due to the tumor.
The common symptoms include the following:
- Headaches that occur either in the morning or at night
- Seizures
- Vision problems such as double vision, and blurred vision
- Changes in senses such as taste, smell, and hearing ability
- Memory loss
- Vertigo
- Weakness or numbness on one side of the body
- Loss of balance
- Sleep issues
- Vomiting
- Facial weakness
- Drowsiness
- Tiredness
- Changes in personality or behaviour
If you are concerned about these changes in you, consider visiting your doctor right away for early diagnosis and treatment.
What Causes a Brain Tumor?
The exact reason for a brain tumor is still unknown. However, the following are some of the risk factors:
- Hereditary: If any of your family members had a history of brain tumor, you are at a high risk of developing a brain tumor.
- Age: The chances of developing a brain tumor increase as you get older.
- Exposure to radiation: If you are exposed to high radiation, the chances of a brain tumor increase.
- Exposure to chemicals: Heavy exposure to chemicals in a factory can also lead to a brain tumor.
How is Brain Tumor Diagnosed?
If you have any signs of a brain tumour, the doctor will conduct a physical exam. He will also ask about your signs, health condition, family history, etc. He also conducts a neurological test to notice changes in your hearing, vision, reflexes, balance, etc. If these tests show that you have a brain tumor, the doctor conducts several tests such as the following for diagnosis:
- MRI scan
- CT scan
- PET (positron emission tomography) scan
- MRS
- Biopsy
- Lumbar puncture
Treatment for Brain Tumor
The treatment for brain tumor is based on the size, and location of tumor, your age,you’re your overall health condition. A brain tumor can be treated through surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy.
There are different surgical treatments such as the following:
Craniotomy: Surgery is the most common treatment for brain tumor. If the tumor is accessible to the doctor, the doctor performs surgery to remove the tumor. This surgery is called craniotomy where the doctor makes an opening in the skull. In most cases, the doctor tries to remove the entire tumor.
Some of the tumors are small and they can be easily removed through surgery. If the tumor is located closer to the sensitive parts of the brain, surgery can be risky. In that case, the doctor tries to remove only a part of the tumor that is safe to remove. Removing even a small part of the tumor can also relieve the signs as it reduces the pressure on the brain.
If the doctor cannot remove the tumor, the doctor conducts a biopsy where a sample of the tumor is removed. The sample will be examined under a microscope to determine the type of brain cells. This helps the doctor to determine the right treatment plan for you.
MRI-Guided Laser Ablation: It is a less invasive method where a laser is used to destroy the tumor. This procedure is effective at treating tumors that are close to the sensitive structures in the brain. The pain is also minimal with this procedure and the recovery time is also shorter.
Endoscopic Brain Tumor Surgery (Neuroendoscopy): It is also a minimally invasive process to treat a brain tumor. The tumor is removed either through the nose or mouth or through the small holes in the skull. The process does not require making cuts on the other parts of the skull. This process lets to access the areas of the brain that are not accessible through traditional surgery.
Have Signs of a Brain Tumor? Meet Dr Vishwak Sena Reddy to Relieve the Signs
If you or your loved one is experiencing any signs of brain tumor, Dr Vishwak Sena Reddy can help you. He has treated over thousands of patients suffering from a brain tumor and can definitely help you. He has been working as a consultant neurosurgeon for over 14 years in Hyderabad and has gained vast knowledge in it. When you visit him, he conducts a proper diagnosis to determine the right treatment for you. To know more about the treatment methods, give us a call or you can fill out the form on the website.