Every year 40k to 50k diagnosed with brain tumour in India: experts
Chandigarh: “Every year 40,000 to 50,000 people are diagnosed with brain tumours which reduces life expectancy by 20 years. These statistics are shocking,”
Addressing a press conference here today , Dr. Anil Sofat consultant brain & spine surgery at Park Hospital, Mohali said, “There are more than 100 distinct types of primary brain tumours, each with its own spectrum of presentations, treatments, and outcomes. Several researches have been going on for the treatment of brain tumours.”
However advanced technologies have made it possible for the neuro experts to venture in areas which were, for long, considered to be unapproachable or have unacceptable levels of risk of injury, he said.
Dr Sangeeta Pradhan neurologist said, “The tumours can be cancerous or benign. Malignant brain tumours, mostly, arise from brain matter and can only be controlled for variable periods of time, after using all the various modalities of treatment available. But they differ from cancers of the rest of the body in that they do not spread to other parts of the body.
Benign tumours, on the other hand, originate mostly from structures around the brain. They can be successfully removed surgically and, once removed totally, they mostly do not recur, she maintained.
Dr Joban Jit Kaur radiation oncologist said that, “Brain tumours account for about 2% of all cancers. Brain tumours can occur at all ages, from infant to ripe old age. As of now no definite cause has been found for their origin.”
Early symptoms of brain tumours:
Recurrent headaches
Giddiness
Nausea and vomiting
Fits
Change in mental state or personality, Behavioral Problems.
Loss of memory
Unsteadiness in walking
Speech problems
Weakness or altered sensation in one or more limbs
Weakness or paralysis of face or one half of body
Problems with deteriorating vision, ability to hear or speak properly
