Understanding Brain Tumours : Types, Symptoms, And Treatment Options
Peter Lucas Neurosurgeon says the human brain, with its intricate network of billions of neurons, is one of the most complex and vital organs in the body. Unfortunately, like any other part of the body, the brain is susceptible to diseases, one of the most concerning being brain tumours. Dr Peter Geoffrey Lucas delves into the various types of brain tumours, their symptoms, and the diverse treatment options available.
A tumour is an abnormal growth of cells within an anatomical structure of the body. Primary tumours arise from the structure they are within, while secondary tumours have generally migrated from elsewhere through the blood stream, lymphatics or localised migration. Dr Peter Geoffrey Lucas explains the tumours of the neurological system arise in the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerves and the structures surrounding these areas including muscle and bone.
Brain tumours can be benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous). Benign tumours do not spread to other parts of the body, but they can still cause problems by compression of neurological structures potentially causing significant symptoms eg Stroke-like signs or seizure. Primary malignant tumours of the brain tend to migrate within the brain itself and not to structures elsewhere in the body. However secondary malignant tumours arising elsewhere in the body can migrate to the brain readily,
I. Types Of Brain Tumours
Brain tumours are broadly categorized into two types: benign and malignant.
Benign Brain Tumours: These are non-cancerous growths that do not invade nearby tissues. They usually have a defined border and are slow growing or may even stop growing for extended periods of time. Common benign brain tumours include meningiomas, pituitary adenomas, and acoustic neuromas.
Malignant Brain Tumours: Malignant or cancerous brain tumours can be aggressive, grow rapidly and often invading surrounding brain tissue. They can originate in the brain (primary) or spread from cancer elsewhere in the body (secondary). Examples of primary malignant brain tumours include glioma with the most aggressive known as Glioblastoma Multiforme. Examples of common secondary brain tumours are those arising from lung, breast, skin and colon.