A brain tumour is a growth of abnormal cells in the brain or central spine that can interfere with brain function. These tumuors, categorised as either benign or malignant, pose significant challenges with their varied complexities. Brain tumours come in diverse forms, ranging from benign, non-threatening growths to malignant, cancerous masses. Understanding the origin of these tumours sheds light on their intricate nature and the challenges they present to those affected.
Cancer develops when cells in the body start to grow uncontrollably and don’t die when they should, says Dr Shivaram Rao K , Consultant Neuro Physician, Yashoda Hospitals, Hyderabad. Speaking about the types of tumours, Dr Rao says, “Brain tumours come in two main types: primary and secondary. Primary tumours start in the brain and can be either not so harmful (called benign) or cancerous (called malignant). Examples include gliomas, meningiomas, and schwannomas. Gliomas, which are the most common, come from glial cells and include astrocytomas, oligodendrogliomas, and ependymomas. Secondary tumours, also called metastatic tumours, are cancerous and start in another part of the body, like the lungs, breasts, or kidneys, before spreading to the brain."
It is important to understand why cancer is so challenging to treat. It’s not just about removing a tumour; it’s about stopping these damaged cells from growing, spreading, and coming back, explains Dr Rao. He adds, “Normally, cells grow, divide, and die in a regulated way. But when this process goes wrong, cells can form lumps or masses called tumours,”
Dr Rao shares a straightforward breakdown of the process:
Cell damage: Sometimes, cell damage occurs when cells are harmed by factors such as smoking, excessive sun exposure, certain chemicals, or errors during cell division. This damage can impact the cell's DNA, which serves as its instruction manual.
Ignoring signals: Healthy cells receive signals to grow, divide, or stop growing as needed. However, damaged cells may disregard these signals and continue to multiply even when they shouldn't. Normally, damaged cells die off naturally to prevent complications. Cancer cells, however, evade this natural death process, known as apoptosis, and persist longer than they should.
Spreading: Certain cancer cells have the ability to break away from the initial tumour and travel to different parts of the body through the bloodstream or lymphatic system. This spreading phenomenon is known as metastasis.
Forming tumours: The rapid growth of uncontrolled cells results in the formation of tumours. Tumours may either be benign, meaning they are not cancerous and typically do not spread, or malignant, indicating they are cancerous and capable of invading nearby tissues or spreading to other areas of the body.
Treatment:
Treatment options for brain tumours depend on the tumour type, location, size, and overall health of the patient. They often involve a combination of surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy.
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