2023 World Brain Tumor Day: Theme, Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

World Brain Tumor Day is a day set aside each year on June 8 to raise awareness of brain tumors. “Protect yourself – avoid stress” is the topic for this year. The hallmark of a brain tumor is aberrant brain cell proliferation. Any area of the brain or skull may develop a tumor, including the nasal cavity, brainstem, protective lining, and bottom of the brain.

As the tumor spreads within the brain, pressure is imposed on that location, which also affects the bodily processes that are controlled by that specific region. Based on the areas of the brain that are affected, researchers have classified more than 120 different forms of brain tumors.

Brain tumor types

The two primary categories of brain tumors are benign and malignant tumors. Non-cancerous benign brain tumors often develop slowly. They are unique, and they often don’t spread to other areas. However, since they compress and harm a portion of the brain that may cause severe malfunction, benign tumors can still be hazardous. It may potentially endanger the person’s life if the tumor spreads to an important area of the brain.

Vestibular, meningioma, pituitary adenoma, schwannoma, and chondroma are a few examples of benign brain tumors.

Brain tumors that are malignant are cancerous and develop quickly. They often encroach on other healthy areas of the brain because they lack clear limits. Because it damages the brain’s essential structures, it may be fatal. Olfactory neuroblastoma, medulloblastoma, and chondrosarcoma are a few examples of malignant brain tumors.

Symptoms

Brain tumors may not always show symptoms. The most frequent brain tumor in adults, meningioma, often develops slowly and goes undetected. However, there are still a few signs that one should be aware of. These symptoms vary according to the tumor’s size, the region it affects, and its rate of growth. Below is a list of a few.

Having trouble thinking
hearing loss
No memory
Disorientation and confusion
changes in behavior or personality
imbalance or lightheadedness
Seizures

Treatment

Brain scans, brain biopsies, and neurological examinations help doctors identify brain cancers. Surgery is the approach that brain tumors are most often treated with. There are, however, more choices.

Radiotherapy
Steroids
anti-epileptic drugs
peritoneal ventricular shunt
Chemotherapy