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Monday, 29 September, 2025
Hearing the words brain tumour can be overwhelming. For patients and their families, it brings fear, confusion, and an endless array of questions. But here’s the truth: while the word sounds intimidating, not every tumour is life-threatening. Advances in diagnosis and treatment, especially in India’s leading centres, are giving patients real hope.
This blog breaks down the condition into simple, structured sections, so you understand the signs, the types of brain tumours, causes, and available treatments. Along the way, we’ll also highlight the emotional journey and practical aspects of care.
What is a Brain Tumour?
A brain tumour is an abnormal growth or brain mass inside the skull. These can be cancerous (brain cancer) or non-cancerous (benign brain tumour). Even non-cancerous tumours may cause problems if they press on sensitive areas of the brain.
To answer the common question, “What is a brain tumour?”, it’s essentially a group of cells that multiply uncontrollably, forming a lump inside the brain. Its seriousness depends on type, location, and speed of growth.
In India, it’s estimated that nearly 20,000 new cases are diagnosed every year. Knowing the brain tumour symptoms and seeking timely help is critical.
Common Symptoms of a Brain Tumour
Symptoms often vary based on tumour location. Some appear gradually, while others come suddenly. These are important brain tumour warning signs to look out for:
Persistent Headaches
Unlike routine headaches, a brain tumour headache is often severe, associated with vomiting, worsens with activity, and may resist regular painkillers.
Vision/Hearing Problems
Blurred vision, double vision, hearing loss, or ringing in the ears can result when a tumour presses on nerves or when pressure inside the skull increases.
Seizures
This is one of the earliest signs of a brain tumour is in both children and adults. Even someone without epilepsy may suddenly develop seizures. This is due to abnormal electrical signals in the brain.
Memory or Speech Difficulties
Confusion, difficulty finding words, or forgetting familiar things may indicate cognitive involvement.
Nausea, Imbalance, Weakness
These are often early symptoms of a brain tumour, linked to pressure changes or tumours affecting the cerebellum, which is the hand and leg area in the brain.
Note: Some symptoms of a brain tumour in females may be mistaken for hormonal changes, making awareness even more important.
Types of Brain Tumours
Understanding the different types of brain tumours helps patients and caregivers prepare for treatment.
Primary vs Secondary Tumours
- Primary tumours begin in the brain (like gliomas).
- Secondary tumours spread from cancers elsewhere.
Common Types of Brain Tumours
Gliomas
A glioma brain tumour starts in the Glial (supportive) tissue. Its most aggressive form, glioblastoma, is fast-growing and requires urgent treatment. It can affect both adults and children.
Meningiomas
Usually slow-growing, arising from the brain’s protective layers. Many are benign.
Pituitary Tumours
These tumours arise from the pituitary gland situated at the base of the brain. It affects hormones, sometimes altering weight, mood, or fertility. They can compress nerves, taking signals for vision, leading to visual disturbances.
Acoustic Neuroma
Also called vestibular schwannoma, it affects the nerve responsible for hearing and balance. When they grow, they compress the brain stem and block the CSF pathway.
Medulloblastoma
Fast-growing, mostly seen in children, arising in the cerebellum. They cause imbalance and headache.
Causes and Risk Factors of Brain Tumours
You may wonder: How do brain tumours occur? Science points to a mix of genetics, environment, and unknown factors.
Genetic Factors
Some people inherit gene mutations that increase risk.
Environmental Exposure
Radiation or toxic chemical exposure can raise the chances.
Age & Gender
Certain tumours are more common in children, others in older adults. Hormonal influences may affect symptoms of a brain tumour in females.
Lifestyle & Unknown Causes
Diet, lifestyle, and stress have unclear links, leaving many reasons for a brain tumour unknown.
People often ask, “How we prevent brain tumours?” Unfortunately, prevention isn’t always possible, but avoiding unnecessary radiation and maintaining overall health may help reduce risk.
How is a Brain Tumour Diagnosed?
Early diagnosis improves the brain tumour survival rate significantly.
Neurological Exams
Reflexes, balance, vision, and coordination are assessed.
Imaging: MRI, CT Scan, PET Scan
A brain tumour MRI offers clear, detailed views of soft tissues, making it vital for accurate diagnosis. A CT scan of a brain tumour is often the first step, showing size, structure, and any swelling. PET scans highlight tumour activity, helping doctors assess growth and spread. These tests are crucial because they guide treatment choices and improve outcomes.
Biopsy
Confirms the tumour type, malignant or benign.
Advanced Diagnostics
Molecular tests provide data for personalised therapy. The brain tumour report helps us gain more insight into the grade, type of tumour, and treatment approach.
For those asking: “How to diagnose a brain tumour?”, these steps are the gold standard.
Brain Tumour Treatment Options in Bangalore
Modern India, especially Bangalore, offers advanced therapies rivalling global standards.
Surgery – Craniotomy, Minimally Invasive Neurosurgery
Brain tumour surgery remains the first-line treatment for most patients. Endoscopic surgery with these neuro navigation, intro op monitoring, etc., provides maximal safe resection of tumour. Craniotomy for complex cases like a cranial base tumour, minimally invasive methods reduce risk. Families often ask about brain tumour surgery cost in India, which depends on the hospital, location, and technology.
For expert outcomes, many choose brain tumour surgery in Bangalore, where neurosurgeons use advanced tools and navigation.
Radiation Therapy
Precise brain tumour radiation targets tumours while sparing healthy tissue. Proton beam therapy is an advanced option in some centres.
Chemotherapy
Used for malignant tumours, often combined with surgery or radiation.
Targeted Therapy & Immunotherapy
Block tumour pathways or boost immunity. Some patients require brain tumour treatment without surgery when tumours can’t be removed safely.
Choosing the right neurosurgeon in Bangalore ensures the best treatment plan tailored to the patient.
When Should You See a Doctor for a Brain Tumour?
Red Flag Symptoms Not to Ignore
Seizures, sudden cognitive decline, worsening headaches, or unexplained weakness. Wondering how long before brain tumour symptoms show? It varies; some are immediate, others subtle for months.
Importance of Early Diagnosis for Better Outcomes
Detecting tumours in earlier brain tumour stages improves treatment outcomes, lowers risk, and boosts survival. Even in advanced cases like a brain tumour in the last stage, timely intervention can improve quality of life.
Life After Treatment: Rehabilitation & Support
This is often overlooked, but vital. After surgery or therapy, many patients need rehabilitation, speech therapy, physiotherapy, counselling, or vision therapy. Families ask, “Is a brain tumour curable?” For some types, yes. For others, long-term management ensures stability.
At the best hospital for brain tumour in India, care doesn’t stop after treatment; it continues with rehabilitation and follow-up, helping patients return to meaningful lives.
FAQs
1. What is the recovery time after brain tumour surgery?
Recovery depends on the tumour type and procedure. After craniotomy, 6–8 weeks are common, while minimally invasive techniques shorten recovery.
2. Can a person live with a brain tumour?
Yes. Some tumours grow slowly and cause minimal disruption. These patients can be kept on medications and serial imaging during follow-up.
3. Can a benign brain tumour turn malignant?
Rarely, but possible. Even non-cancerous tumours need monitoring because they can still affect brain function.
4. What is the cost of brain tumour surgery in Bangalore?
The cost of brain tumour surgery in Bangalore depends on the tumour type, facilities required, and the surgeon’s expertise. The average range varies widely, but high-end centres offer world-class care at competitive prices.
