Skip to main content
Submitted by PatientsEngage on 9 June 2018
Image: A woman holding her head in the background and a doctor looking at a brain scan showing brain tumour

Nearly 50% of brain tumours detected are cancerous. While advances in immunological and genetic testing will make early detection possible, your biggest wall of armour will be leading a healthy life, emphasizes Dr. Mohinish Bhatjiwale, consultant neurosurgeon at Nanavati Hospital.

What are the most common symptoms of brain tumour?

The most common symptoms of brain tumour is headache, unremitting headache associated with vomiting and blurred vision, weakness of any one side.

What percentage of brain tumour is cancerous?

In the last 25 years of my practice, we have seen nearly 50% brain tumours being malignant. We have seen an increase in this number in the last few years.

What is glioblastoma?

This is the most malignant form of brain tumour. It has high grade of malignancy. Life expectancy is very less. Most of the patients are shocked to know that they such a large tumour at presentation itself. Symptoms can be rapid in progression.

What factors affect the chances for survival for patients after a malignant brain tumour?

The survival of the patient depends on the totality of surgical excision of the tumour and the grade of malignancy.

Is it common for a brain tumour to recur? How often is it important to schedule follow-up visits?

The tumour can occur depending on the totality of the surgical excision. It depends on whether the tumour is malignant or not. The follow should be done after at least 3 months after surgery.

What are the latest tests and treatments for this type of cancer?

The latest tests include both immunological and genetic advances. These tests help in early detection. Use of cyberknife for smaller tumours is also the latest technology.

Who is most at risk for brain tumour?

Since there are no definite causative factors, as a whole it can occur in anybody. However, certain types of benign tumors like neurofibromatosis are familial.

Can brain tumour impact cognitive abilities and result in memory problems?

Of course since it is located in left dominant hemisphere.

On World Brain Tumour Day, could you share a few tips to prevent brain cancer?

  1. Healthy lifestyle
  2. Stay close to nature
  3. Genetic testing in the future
  4. Avoid being around the sources of radiation

Dr. Mohinish Bhatjiwale, consultant neurosurgeon at Nanavati Hospital.

Changed
08/Jun/2019
Community
Condition

Stories

  • What to Eat during Cancer Treatment and Chemotherapy Diet Tips
    Patients with cancer experience a loss of appetite and a change in taste during treatment, especially chemotherapy. Here are some tasty and healthy tips provided by CPAA that can help you cope with treatment better even at higher doses. A balanced diet for a patient must contain carbohydrates (bread, rice), proteins (meat, poultry, dal), fats (oil and butter), vitamins and fiber (fruits and vegetables). A typical daily diet should include 4 servings of cereals (1 bowl of rice/ 2 chapattis/ 1…
  • Stock pic of a rose in flames
    Why I Embrace Pain
    What does pain foretell? A reflective piece on what chronic pain means to triple negative cancer survivor Geetha Paniker that is beautiful and cathartic. It is one thing to feel empathy for others, but something totally different to be in pain. Each person's own pain is most difficult until one goes through chronic pain day in and day out or an illness that calls for sheer grit to go through it. Chronic pain is pain that continues for weeks, months and even years. The experience of acute pain…
  • 15 Important Facts you should know about Depression
    The theme of the World Health Day 2017 is ‘Depression: Let’s Talk’. Encourage people with depression to talk about their feelings. Depression can easily be treated with psychological therapies and medicines. Learn about these and some other basic information on depression issued in public interest by SCARF (Schizophrenia Research Foundation). The wounds of depression are unseen, but they hurt more than the ones that bleed. Seek professional help and get better. Facts about Depression…
  • Stanford Medicine: Arts and Humanities in Medicine
    The world of medicine is beginning to increasingly acknowledge the potential of expressive arts therapies such as art, music, drama, dance/movement, poetry/creative writing and play in the context of healing, treatment, psychotherapy, counselling and rehabilitation. Activities such as drawing, drumming, creative movement and play acting allow individuals of all ages to express deep-seated thoughts and feelings, improve physical, mental and emotional well-being and boost self-esteem and…
  • Caregiver Self-care is not Selfish
    Adveka Foundation, one of the first organizations in India to work primarily with caregivers, hands out tips on self-care and emotional management and how to prevent stress and burnout. The growing burden of chronic diseases and health care has given rise to a new community that is rapidly gaining in number and significance: The Caregivers. Caregivers provide support and assistance to individuals suffering from a health issue and those unable to look after themselves. They could either be…
  • Photography Lessons for Kids to Fight Cancer
    Rajen Nair, a freelance photojournalist and writer, teaches skills of photography to children with cancer to bring hope, optimism and laughter in their lives. How long have you been a photographer? I became a photographer by default in the year 2004, after I lost my hearing in the right ear and later developed tinnitus due to botched ear surgery. I had no option but to wind up my business. To earn a living, I studied journalism, as writing was my passion, and learnt photography later to…
  • Love in the Times of Cancer
    Mukesh’s love for his college sweetheart, Shachi, remained resolute even after she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Here is a Valentine’s Day story to warm your heart. It was in 2001 that I first saw her. She walked into my tutorial class and it was love at first sight for me. I know most people say love at first sight is just an infatuation, but I felt an instant romantic attraction for her. It could be an infatuation, or young adult crush…I don’t know. All I knew was that my head was…
  • A cancer patient, shown as bald due to chemotherapy eating food
    How to Take Care of Yourself during Radiation Therapy
    Nearly two thirds of patients with cancer will undergo radiation therapy as part of their treatment plan. There are a variety of common side effects associated with radiation therapy. Read about prevention and management of radiation side effects excerpted from a booklet of Cancer Patients Aid Association (CPAA). Radiation Treatment Radiation therapy is an extremely important treatment option in the management of cancer. In the last two decades spectacular progress in technology has led to…
  • 3 Books on Cancer that Inspire and Change Perspective
    Geetha Paniker, a survivor of triple negative cancer with double mastectomy, shortlists 3 books on cancer that had a great impact on her. When you're dealing with cancer, a daily dose of inspiration may make a big difference in the outlook on life. Keeping a positive outlook is proven to help with stress management, but when someone says to "think positive" or "be optimistic" during a traumatic phase of any disease, it can be much easier said than done. Knowing cancer isn't all rainbows and…
  • We need a Holistic Approach to Treating Cancer
    Susmita Mitra, Director - Special Projects at Cancer Patients Aid Association (CPAA), underlines the concerns and worries of cancer patients and emphasizes the importance of Psycho Oncology, a comparatively recent addition in cancer care, to build a positive frame of mind, ease trauma and facilitate recovery. It is well recognized that compared to any other disease, a diagnosis of cancer results in immense trauma to the patient on one hand, and his family members on the other, as they grapple…