Brain tumour is an overgrowth of cells, either within the brain or near it in places like nerves, the pituitary gland, and the meninges Brain tumours can be benign (non-cancerous growth or lumps that generally do not spread to other organs/tissues) or malignant (made up of cancerous cells that multiply and spread to neighbouring tissues and organs and sometimes break away and spread to many organs in the body, a process called metastasis).
The prevalence of brain tumours is variable around the world and in India. Approximately 2% of all cancers are brain cancers. The incidence rate globally is approximately 6.2 per 100,000 people per year.
While brain tumours account for a relatively small percentage of overall cancer cases in India, they are a significant cause of mortality, with over 24,000 deaths reported each year.
Treatment for brain tumour and brain cancer:
The treatment plan is usually decided based on the physical assessment of the patient, age, advice of the Neuro-oncologist (specialist for brain cancer) and the oncology team or Neurosurgeon (if the brain tumour is benign) and is usually based on factors like:
Type of Tumour: Depends on whether the tumour is cancerous or benign, and the specific type of tumour.
Grade of tumour: Tumours may range from low-grade to high-grade and the aggressiveness (rate of growth, local invasion of surrounding structures etc.) is taken into account while picking the treatment modality.
Location of tumour: The site and position of the tumour in the brain impacts the option of treatment chosen (surgical or non-surgical or mixed).
Treatment for brain tumours:
- Surgical removal - Involves brain surgery for removal of the tumour
- Craniotomy: Surgical removal of the tumour from the brain through open brain surgery.
- Neuro-endoscopy: Endoscopic removal of tumour using endoscope.
- Laser ablation/ Laser Interstitial Thermal Therapy (LITT)/ Stereotactic Laser Ablation (SLA): Done under the guidance of MRI where laser is used to heat and destroy cancerous cells, abnormal tissue causing seizures, or areas of dead tissue.
- Radiation Therapy: Involves the use of radiotherapy to kill cancer cells.
High-energy rays are used to kill the cancer cells. Involves a few high-dose treatment sessions over a short duration, usually maybe 1-5 sessions. It may be done after surgery or as a primary treatment for tumours that cannot be surgically removed - Chemotherapy: Involves use of medication to kill cancer cells given through injectables.
This is the use of drugs to kill cancer cells and is often used post-surgery. Sometimes it is also used when radiation is not possible. - Targeted Therapy: It involves use of drugs to only target the tumour cells.
It uses drugs to target specific molecules (such as proteins) which are on the cancer cells or inside them thus helping to disrupt their growth. It is used as an option for some patients who have difficulty with chemotherapy or where previous treatment has failed or in case of reoccurrences of tumours. - Radiosurgery: It combines use of radiation and surgery.
It is the use of focused delivery of radiation to a tumour usually located in sensitive areas. It involves a single high-dose treatment. It is also used for tumours that cannot be completely removed surgically. - Active Surveillance: It simply means monitoring of slow-growing tumours.
For small, slow-growing, or asymptomatic tumours, a protocol is decided for close monitoring with regular scans to track any changes. - Supportive Care:
Supportive medications (for symptomatic relief, combat side effects, and improving the quality of life) like steroids, anti-seizure meds, and painkillers are also prescribed in the treatment protocol.
Changed
08/Jun/2026
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