A brain tumour is the growth of abnormal cells in the brain and
spinal cord. Brain tumours can be cancerous (benign) or non-cancerous
(malignant). On the basis of origin, a brain tumour can be classified into two
categories: primary brain tumour and secondary brain tumour.
Primary brain tumours are the kind of tumours that originate in the
brain or spinal cord region. They can be benign or malignant depending upon the
type of abnormal cell growth. The best brain tumour specialists in India suggest getting the tumour surgically
removed if a tumour is in the outer part of the brain and
then carry on with the chemotherapy so as to make sure that no defective cells
are left behind.
The most common type of
primary brain tumours are gliomas that originate in the glial tissues. These
gliomas are:
• Astrocytomas -
Astrocytomas are the primary brain tumours that arise from the tiny,
star-shaped cells called astrocytes. The Astrocytomas generally originate in
the cerebrum or cerebellum.
• Oligodendrogliomas - Oligodendrogliomas
begin in the cells that produce myelin (the fatty covering that protects the
nerves). These cells grow very slowly in the cerebrum and do not usually spread
to other parts of the brain.
• Ependymomas – Though
these tumours can develop at any stage, they are most common in children and
adolescents. They occur in the lining of the ventricles and the spinal cord.
Other than gliomas, the primary tumors that develop in the brain and
spinal cord are Meningiomas (develop from the meninges), Schwannomas (Arise
from the Schwan cells and are usually benign), Craniopharyngiomas (develop in
and around the pituitary gland), Germ cell tumors (arise from developing sex
cells or germ cells), Pineal region tumors (develop in the pineal gland).
On the other hand, secondary brain tumours are the tumours that
develop due to the spreading of cancerous cells from a region of the body to
the brain. This type of cancer is called metastatic cancer and is known by the
place of origin of cancer. For example, if cancer originated in the lung it
would be known as metastatic lung cancer and not secondary brain cancer.
Secondary brain tumours are usually cancerous and more difficult to
cure than the primary brain tumours. Their treatment depends upon various
factors like the age of the patient, the origin of cancer and the place of the
secondary brain tumour.
According to the best brain
tumour specialists in India, there is always an option for the possible
treatment. It may take time and effort but the patient has to keep his or her
trust in the doctor and not lose hope.
Cancer is already a stressful disease and if it is in a complicated
region like the brain, it can be difficult to cope up with it. There are
several treatments available for the treatment of brain tumours like surgery,
chemotherapy and radiation therapy but the stage of cancer plays a vital role
in the treatment. For instance, a stage III cancer is difficult to treat than a
stage I cancer.
