Brain tumors are abnormal growths of cells that can develop in any part of the brain or skull, including its protective lining, brainstem, sinuses, and nasal cavity.
In India, brain cancer accounts for ~24,820 new cases and 18,330 deaths projected for 2025. NCI data show it represents 1.2% of new cancer cases with a 5-year relative survival of 33.0%.
Benign vs Malignant Brain Tumors
All brain cancers are tumors, but not all brain tumors are cancerous. Over 40 types exist:
• Benign Brain Tumors: Grow slowly, rarely spread, distinct borders. Can still compress brain structures. Examples: meningioma, vestibular schwannoma, pituitary adenoma.
• Malignant Brain Tumors: Cancerous, grow rapidly, invade surrounding healthy brain tissue. Examples: glioblastoma, astrocytoma, medulloblastoma.
Types & Anatomical Locations
• Gliomas: Most common primary brain tumor type (glioblastoma, astrocytoma, oligodendroglioma).
• Meningiomas: Arise from meninges (brain protective linings); usually benign in adults.
• Medulloblastomas: Arise in cerebellum; most common malignant tumor in children.
• Metastatic Brain Tumors: 4 times more common than primary brain tumors.
• Lobe-specific symptoms: Frontal lobe (reasoning/speech), Temporal lobe (memory/language), Parietal lobe (writing/spatial perception), Occipital lobe (vision loss), Cerebellum (balance/posture), Brain stem (partial paralysis/seizures).
General Symptoms & Seizure Management
Symptoms: Persistent worsening headaches (in >53% of patients), seizures, cognitive/speech difficulty, personality changes, weakness/paralysis, nausea/vomiting, vision changes, and sleep disturbances.
Seizure Protocols: Focal aware, focal impaired, motor, non-motor. During seizure: stay calm, protect from injury, turn gently on side, do NOT force anything into mouth, note duration. Call emergency help if seizure >5 minutes.
Diagnosis & Neuro-Oncology Treatment
Diagnosis: Physical & neurological exam, Ophthalmoscope visual check, CT/MRI scans, PET/SPECT, brain biopsy, spinal tap (lumbar puncture), and genetic testing.
Treatment: Craniotomy surgery, Focused Radiation therapy, Chemotherapy (temozolomide), Targeted therapy, Immunotherapy, and Clinical trials.
Prognosis: Medulloblastoma (good prognosis), Glioblastoma (median 15 months), Brainstem glioma (poorest), Oligodendroglioma (median up to 16.7 years).