Brain Tumor Treatment in Delhi, India | Symptoms, Causes & Cost

Overview

A brain tumour refers to an abnormal growth of cells or tissues within the brain or the skull vault. It occurs due to uncontrolled and abnormal cell division. Brain tumours can originate in the brain itself or in other parts of the body and spread to the brain. They can affect various structures within the brain, including the brain tissue, blood vessels, cranial nerves, brain meninges, skull, pituitary gland, or pineal gland.

Brain Tumour Types

Brain tumours can be classified into several types:

Benign Brain Tumour: These tumours are non-cancerous. However, they still need careful evaluation to determine if they are located near blood vessels, nerves, or the brain stem.
Malignant Brain Tumour: These tumours are cancerous. It is important to identify whether a malignant tumour is primary (originating in the brain) or metastatic (spreading to the brain from another site). Factors such as size, type, and location of the tumour play a crucial role in determining the optimal treatment plan.
Metastatic Brain Tumour: A metastatic brain tumour is a malignant tumour that results from the spread of cancer cells from another area of the body to the brain. The most common primary sites of metastasis are the lung, breast, kidney, colon, or metastatic melanoma. In some cases, metastatic brain tumours may cause symptoms before the primary site is diagnosed.

Risk Factors of Brain Tumour

While the exact causes of primary brain tumours remain unknown, several risk factors have been identified:

Radiation: Exposure to radiation, such as undergoing radiotherapy or frequent imaging scans like CT scans or X-rays of the head, increases the risk of developing brain tumours.
Genetic Diseases: Certain genetic disorders, including Neurofibromatosis, Turcot syndrome, Von Hippel-Lindau syndrome, and Li-Fraumeni syndrome, can predispose individuals to brain tumours.
HIV or AIDS: People with HIV or AIDS have a higher susceptibility to brain tumours due to their weakened immune system.

Brain Tumour Symptoms

The symptoms of brain tumours vary depending on the type and location of the tumour. In some cases, tumours may not exhibit any symptoms until they reach an advanced stage. Common signs and symptoms include:

Recurrent headaches, often accompanied by vomiting.
Seizures (fits)
Vision problems – Diplopia, Blurred Vision, Decreased Vision
Hearing loss and dizziness
Weakness or paralysis in specific body parts
Recent Memory loss or behavioural changes
Numbness in the arms and legs
Recent Personality changes
Balance and coordination issues
Facial pain or abnormal facial movements

If any of these symptoms are experienced, it is crucial to seek immediate medical attention and consult a skilled doctor, especially at a reputed neuro hospital.

Brain Tumour Treatment

The Max Institute of Neurosciences, located at Max Healthcare, offers various treatment options for brain tumours:

Partial surgical removal: When the tumour is located in vital areas of the brain, partial removal may be performed to minimise the risk of neuro deficit.
Complete surgical removal: Surgeons aim to remove the entire tumour without damaging essential brain tissue.
Endoscopic Surgery: Certain Skull based tumours like pituitary adenoma, clivus chordoma etc., can be managed by an endoscopic approach.
Stereotactic Biopsy: Deep-seated, unresectable table, multiple brain lesions, stereotactic biopsy can be done.
Radiation Therapy: Ionising radiation is used to treat malignant brain tumours. Advanced techniques help minimise damage to normal tissues surrounding the tumour.
Chemotherapy: Specific drugs and chemical agents are used to destroy malignant tumour cells selectively.
Medications: Steroids and cerebral decongestants are administered to reduce brain swelling, anticonvulsants help prevent seizures and pain medication is given as necessary.
Wait & Watch Approach: Some slow-growing, benign tumours may be closely monitored through regular imaging scans without immediate intervention. The treatment decision depends on the tumour type and characteristics.

Brain Tumour Treatment Cost

The cost of brain tumour treatment at Max Healthcare depends on several factors, including:

Surgical intervention or type of surgery required.
Management of metastasis or comorbid conditions.
Length of hospital stay in ICU or room.
Additional lab tests or imaging are required.
Use of special tools for surgery like Neuronavigation, intraoperative neuro monitoring etc.

Brain Tumour Expertise

The Max Institute of Neurosciences, part of Max Healthcare, offers super-specialised tertiary care for neurological disorders, including brain tumours. It has a dedicated team of neurosurgeons, neurologists, neuropsychologists, neurophysiologists, intervention neurologists, and neuro anaesthetists who work collaboratively to provide tailored treatment plans for patients. The institute utilises advanced technologies such as Intraoperative, Neuro Navigation & Intraoperative Neuro Monitoring wherever it is required.

Brain Tumour Approach

Early diagnosis and prompt treatment are crucial for brain tumour patients. Diagnosis involves neurologic exams, MRIs, and CT scans. Sometimes one may require pre-operative Brain Angiography to look for tumour embolisation to make the tumour less vascular, if possible over all the treatment plan is determined based on factors such as the patient's age, the overall health of the patient, tumour type, size, location, and characteristics. Treatment may involve a single or combination of procedures, including surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or medications.

Brain Tumour Prevention

While it is not possible to prevent all brain tumours, certain measures can reduce the risk:

Minimise exposure to ionising radiation
Follow appropriate safety measures in occupational settings
Seek genetic counselling for individuals with a family history of brain tumours
Manage HIV or AIDS effectively to maintain a healthy immune system

Reviewed & Updated On

Reviewed by Dr. Kapil Jain, Principal Consultant – Neurosurgery, Neurosciences, Neurosurgery, Spine Surgery, Paediatric (Ped) Neurosurgery on 30-Jun-2023.

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