Hearing the word “brain tumour” can be overwhelming. The first question people ask is “Is a brain tumour curable?” It depends largely on the tumour type, i.e. whether it’s malignant or benign. Malignant tumour means it’s cancerous, and is more likely to grow faster and spread into the surrounding areas. Benign tumours are easier to treat, as they grow slowly and stay in one place. Here’s what an oncologist in Navi Mumbai says about brain tumour types and their curability.
Types of Brain Tumour
Let’s take a look at the common types of cancerous and non-cancerous brain tumours.
- Chordomas: These are found on the base of your skull or at the end of your spine.
- Craniopharyngiomas: The tumours grow near the pituitary gland and are often difficult to treat because of their location near the vital structures of your brain.
- Astrocytoma: These are gliomas, the tumours that develop in glial cells. Astrocytomas can be benign or malignant, depending on the stage. They are mostly found in the cerebrum.
- Glioblastoma: These are a type of astrocytoma, but tend to grow aggressively.
- Gangliocytomas: These are also non-cancerous brain tumours that develop in your nerve cells, but are often rare.
- Meningiomas: They grow in the meninges, protective layers around your brain. They are mostly benign, but can be cancerous in rare cases.
Are Brain Tumours Serious?
Brain tumours, whether benign or malignant, can be serious, especially if they are located in areas that control vital functions. Your skull is a hard space that doesn’t allow for a tumour to grow.
So, when a tumour forms inside your brain, it will squeeze the structures in your brain. The symptoms of a brain tumour vary depending on the type and location of the growth, but most people experience these symptoms:
- Weakness
- Unable to walk properly
- Vision loss
- Speech difficulties
- Memory problems
Some people with brain tumours may never know they have one, as they don’t experience any symptoms. The tumours don’t grow or squeeze the brain either.
Can Brain Tumours be Cured?
The success rate of cancer treatment in Navi Mumbai depends on many factors. The most crucial of all is the type of tumours. Benign brain tumours are easier to treat, as they may not have spread to other parts of the brain. The location also affects the treatment.
If the tumour is located in sensitive parts that are responsible for controlling speech, vision, memory, and more, the surgery to remove it completely might be risky. Likewise, size plays a role here. Larger tumours might be more difficult to remove compared to the smaller, benign ones, which are less likely to recur after complete removal.
Other factors are patients’ age and overall health. Younger, healthier patients tend to respond well to the treatment compared to older adults with weakened immunity.
Conclusion
Some tumours are curable, others can’t be cured fully, but are treatable. Your healthcare provider will work with you to find a personalized and most appropriate treatment plan that helps you live a long, meaningful life.