|
|
|
|
A brain tumour is a collection, or mass of abnormal cells in the brain. These tumours can be cancerous (malignant) or non-cancerous. When a benign or malignant tumour grows, they cause immense pressure in the skull. This can lead to brain damage and it can be life-threatening.
Recently a case of 15-year-old Pratham Vashisht who was successfully operated for a life-threatening complication in his brain at Artemis Hospital is a n example to it. Due to the enlarges size of the tumor in the brain, Pratham started losing vision in his right eye. Team of neurosurgeons led by Dr Aditya Gupta took up this complicated case to successful results.
The patient who initially had intermittent headaches, redness in the eye, ignored the symptoms, but gradually developed blurry vision that led to almost loss of vision in his right eye. While the boy had initially consulted an ophthalmologist where the reports showed that the pressure inside the eye (intraocular pressure) was high enough to damage his vision permanently. Since the root cause was identified to be a complication in the brain, his parents took an MRI.
Pratham came to us with his MRI reports and detailed investigations revealed a huge tumor in the front of the skull. The tumor due to its big size was pressing the optic nerve at a location in the brain where they come out from the eyes. This was the reason for his symptoms and gradual loss of vision in his right eye. To save vision, urgent Microsurgery for tumor removal was advised. Since this was an indication for immediate surgery, the team took up to the action immediately to remove the huge tumor totally. Post operatively the patient made a quick recovery and is doing very well.
In such cases, timely surgery is very important as this can not only cure the vision loss but also prevent other fatal complications. At times parents fear the complications of surgery and opt for alternative methods of treatment which may end up in worsening the condition. Since his parents understood the situation very well and clearly, opted for the timely surgery and the patient was discharged on the third day after surgery.
Upon his follow up, MRI has revealed no signs of tumor and his vision has totally returned to normal. Since the tumor was non-cancerous, the minimally invasive surgery has given him a permanent cure apart from curing his vision loss. Pratham who has shifted back to his normal routine feel as normal as anybody else.
How to categorize?
Categorised as primary and secondary, primary brain tumors are the ones that originates in the brain and most of them are benign. Secondary brain tumors are metastatic and occurs when the cancer cells from other organs such as lungs and breast, spread to the brain. These are responsible for contribution if majority of brain cancers. In adults, the most common types of brain tumours are gliomas (which develops from glial cells) and meningiomas (that develops on the membranes of brain and spinal cord).
Symptoms and signs of brain tumour depend on the size and location of the tumour. Some tumours can directly affect by invading the brain tissue while some cause pressure on the surrounding brain. Diagnosis of brain tumour begins with a physical exam and a look at the patient’s medical history. After the physical tests, the doctor will recommend for the further tests including MRI, CT scan.
The Indian Scenario
Brain tumour is the tenth leading cause of morbidity in India. The incidence of this deadly disease is rising and different kinds of tumours manifest at different age groups. As per the GLOBOCAN 2018 report, issued by the International Association of Cancer Registries (IARC) associated with the World Health Organization (WHO), in India over 28,000 cases new brain tumour cases were reported annually. Around 24,000 patients lost their lives battling this neurological ailment.
As the tumor grows and puts pressure on the skull and brain tissues, timely diagnosis and treatment can prevent further complications. The collection of abnormal cells in the brain, are commonly known as brain tumors can be cancerous or non-cancerous. This, when grows, puts excess pressure on the skull leading to brain damage can be life threatening if timely action is not taken. Atleast 45% of the brain tumors are non-cancerous, and therefore timely treatment can lead to the patients having a normal survival and normal function.
The treatment module
With recent advancements made in the field of neurosurgery, minimally invasive procedures for the treatment of Brain tumors have been emerging as one of the best methods of treatment. Endoscopic brain tumor surgical procedure allows neurosurgeons to easily find and treat the conditions that are deep within the brain or are accessible through the nose.
Providing a crystal-clear visualization, the thin tube-like instrument with camera attached to the end helps in removing the tumor without damaging the healthy parts of the brain. In most of the complex cases, this procedure is combined with robotic cyberknife radiation therapy for better outcomes especially in cases where the minute remaining tumor parts need to be removed.
Dr Aditya Gupta, Director, Neurosurgery,
Agrim institute of neuro sciences,
Artemis Hospital
