The human brain is the hub of the nervous system. The function of
the brain is to supervise and control the actions and reactions of the body. It
controls the bodily functions as it obtains sensory information rapidly
analyzes such data
Abnormal growth of cells within the brain or the central spinal
canal is called brain tumor. Brain tumors can initiate anywhere from the brain
cells, the membranes around the brain (known as meninges), nerves, or glands.
Tumor causes inflammation, consequently placing pressure within the skull and
compressing the brain tissues. Because of its insidious and infiltrative
character in the intracranial cavity all such tumours are intrinsically serious
and life-threatening.
Factors used to classify Brain tumors include the sites of the
tumour, the type of tissues involved. They can either be cancerous or
non-cancerous. Different types of brain tumors include:
·
Acoustic neurinoma : Benign
tumor occurring in the 8th cranial nerve (the acoustic nerve) between the pons
and the cerebellum. Possibly associated with neurofibromatosis. The term
"acoustic neuroma" is actually a misnomer since it this a primary
intracranial tumor of the myelin forming cells called "Schwann cells"
(schwannoma).
·
Astrocytomas : represent
the most common type of glioma. They develop from the supporting cells of the
brain, which are star-shaped glial cells called astrocytes.
·
Oligodendroglioma : These
are tumours that are made up of cells known as oligodendrocytes, which produce
the fatty covering of nerve cells: the myelin sheath. They are usually
slower-growing than astrocytic tumours.
·
Ependymoma : Tumor arising from
the ependymal cells found along the ventricles and central canal of the spinal
cord.
·
Brain stem glioma : The
tumor occurs in the lowest part of the brain. Brain stem gliomas most often are
diagnosed in young children and middle-aged adults.
·
Craniopharyngioma :This is
a benign, congenital tumor. It is cystic and occurs primarily in children and
adolescents. Craniopharyngiomas occur in the sellar region. They often involve
the third ventricle, optic nerve, and pituitary gland. These are localized
tumors that grow by expansion. Malignancy and metastasis are unknown.
·
Medulloblastoma : This
tumor usually arises in the cerebellum. It is the most common brain tumor in
children. It is sometimes called a primitive neuroectodermal tumor.
·
Meningioma : Benign tumor
arising from the meninges, the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord.
Meningiomas represent approximately 20% of all primary brain tumors and occur
most commonly in middle-aged women.
·
Germ cell tumor of the brain : The
tumor arises from a germ cell. Most germ cell tumors that arise in the brain
occur in people younger than 30. The most common type of germ cell tumor of the
brain is a germinoma.
Types
of Brain Tumors
Meningioma
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A meningioma is a
slow-growing tumor that develops from the membrane that surrounds the brain and
spinal cord. These tumors are usually benign but some may be malignant. However
even "benign" tumors can grow and constrict and affect the brain, which
may cause disability and may even be life threatening. Because meningiomas grow
slowly, it may reach a relatively large size before it causes symptoms. Other
meningiomas grow rapidly or have sudden growth spurts. Standard treatment is to
remove the tumor, the portion of the lining of the brain or spinal cord where
it is attached and any bone involved. Complete removal of the tumor is
sometimes possible.
Pituitary Tumor
A pituitary tumor is an
abnormal growth in the pituitary gland, the part of the brain that regulates
the body's balance of hormones. The most common treatment for pituitary tumors
is surgery. The decision to pursue surgical treatment depends on the type,
location and size of tumor, and the patient's age and overall health. Most of
the time, pituitary tumors can be removed through the nose and sinuses without
an exernal incision. However, some tumors cannot be removed this way and will
require removal through the skull with an incision in the scalp. Astrocytoma
Tumors Astrocytoma tumors are the most common glioma, accounting for about half
of all primary brain and spinal cord tumors.
Other
symptoms for Brain Tumours can include:
·
Headaches
·
Nausea and/or vomiting
·
Difficulty speaking or
remembering words
·
Disturbed vision,
hearing, smell or taste
·
General irritability
or a change in personality - this is sometimes noticed only by family or
friends
·
Drowsiness
How
is Brain Tumors Diagnosed?
·
Magnetic
resonance imaging (MRI) scan. MRI is a technique that uses a magnetic field and radio waves to
create detailed images of the brain. Sometimes a special dye is injected into
the bloodstream to make tumors appear different from healthy tissue (MR
angiography).
·
Computerized
tomographies (CT) scan. A CT scan uses a
sophisticated X-ray machine linked to a computer to produce detailed,
two-dimensional images of the brain. A CT scan can be very helpful in certain
types of tumors, especially ones close to or involving bone.
·
Other
brain scans. Other tests - such as
magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), single-photon emission computed
tomography (SPECT) or positron emission tomography (PET) scanning - help
doctors gauge brain tumor activity and blood flow.
·
Angiogram. A special dye is injected into the arteries
that feed the brain, making the blood vessels visible on X-ray. This test helps
locate blood vessels in and around a brain tumor.
·
Biopsy
- A biopsy involves
removing a piece of the tumor for viewing under a microscope. Oncologist needs
to know the tumor type and grade to plan proper treatment.
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·
3-Dimensional
Conformal Radiation Therapy (3D-CRT) and Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy
(IMRT):CT scan and MRI are
used to delineate the tumour and computers are used for radiation planning.
Only the tumour and the high-risk region surrounding the tumour is radiated,
avoiding radiation to the normal structures in the brain.
·
Stereotactic
Radio-surgery (SRS) and Stereotactic Radiotherapy (SRT): Highly precise immobilization and image
guidance system is used for treatment of selected brain tumours . Stereotactic
radio-surgery delivering high-dose of radiation in single or a very few
sessions is performed in adults with tumours such as metastatic residual
glioma, meningioma and schwannoma. Novalis-Tx and Cyberknife are advanced
machines to deliver such high-precision therapy.
·
High-definition
Rapid Arc: This is the latest
software advancement in radiation planning technology. Radiation is delivered in
continuous fashion moving the machine head and its small components
simultaneously around the patient's head targeting the tumour by infinite small
radiation beams.
·
Proton
beam therapy: Proton therapy avoids
spillage of radiation dose to the surrounding brain. It is preferred in
children as well as in patients with recurrent tumours who have received
radiation therapy earlier.
·
MRI
Guided Brain Tumor Surgery - Advanced imaging technique now developed to enable Neurosurgeons
with intra-operative MRI to aid in the removal of complex and hard-to-access
brain tumors during surgery.
·
Gamma
Knife Radio Surgery in India - Gamma knife radio surgery is a non-invasive procedure to treat
benign and malignant brain tumors.
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