Basic Facts About Brain Tumours

Brain tumor refers to the formation of abnormal cells within the brain

- Dr Arun Oommen

There are two main types of brain tumors: cancerous (malignant) tumors and indolent (benign) tumors.

Warning signals 

Tumours produce symptoms either due to compression or irritation of the brain

1. Headache occurring in the later onset of life and gradually increasing in intensity. There can be constant aching pain without any painfree period in between. Usually, the headache is maximum in the morning and the victim wakes up with a severe headache.

2. Projectile vomiting mostly on waking up in the morning. Here the vomiting may not be preceded by nausea. Vomiting can offer temporary relief to the headache.

3. New-onset seizures can be focal seizures (More significant) involving only part of the body or they can be generalized seizures.

4. Weakness or numbness-progressively increasing and can involve only one limb or one side of the body.

5. Visual problems especially when it involves the optic Nerve (nerve of vision) or pituitary gland.

6. Cognitive problems occurring suddenly like memory problems, behavioral changes, language problems, confusion, etc.

7. Difficulty in speech, Sudden Gait disturbances, imbalance, in coordination, or weakness of facial muscles.

Risk factors