CENTRE FOR ENDOSCOPIC AND MICROSCOPIC SPINE AND BRAIN SURGERIES

Brain tumors can be life-threatening depending on the circumstances of the individual. These tumors are uncontrolled and abnormal growth of brain tissues within the brain or in the lining of the brain. The important key point to be considered here is to choose a group of health specialists who are the best in the field and you can trust them completely. Treatment without patient compliance will not show as many benefits as it should. The survival rate cannot be determined by just looking at the type and grade of the tumor. The way in which a tumor affects the body varies from person to person. We cannot suggest a good prognosis if the tumor is benign. In some people, even malignant tumors are treated successfully and benign can be fatal. This trend varies among individuals as the circumstances vary according to their needs and demands. A treatment plan that resulted in good results in one person might not be the same in another individual having the same condition.

The outlook and prognosis may vary as a patient goes through certain treatments. Which treatment is being given and how the body is reacting to it determines whether the prognosis is good or not. No matter how good the prognosis is and how well the treatment goes, there are still chances of the tumor recurring. In that case, you need to again start the treatment as per the need.

The factors that determine whether the prognosis will be good or not are listed below by India’s best neurosurgeon Dr. Kalyan Bommakanti as follows:

• Patient’s general health status.
• Age.
• Gender.
• Type of the tumor (Benign or malignant).
• Location and size.
• The onset of symptoms.
• The effect on the functioning of the brain.
• Treatment options available.
• Grade of the tumor.

Brain tumors are a common type of tumor found in the body. These tumors result from uncontrolled and abnormal growth of the brain tissue affecting a specific part of the brain and its functioning. Neurological problems are a common outcome of brain tumors. Some brain tumors may be present without showing any symptoms. Brain tumors can be genetic or can occur from other various factors. If you have a history of cancer in your family, you should discuss it with your healthcare professional and should take some important preventive measures beforehand. Brain tumors cannot be prevented completely, only their chances of occurrence can be reduced.

Here are some of the important steps you need to take if you want to lower the risk of a brain tumor explained briefly by India’s best neurosurgeon Dr. Kalyan Bommakanti:

• Avoid alcohol consumption as much as you can. As it can seriously affect your health and impair your immune system. Having alcohol regularly can increase the incidence of developing brain tumors. This consumption also varies among gender, as men should not consume more than 2 drinks a day while women should limit their alcohol consumption to one glass per day.
• Limit smoking habits. Smoking is very dangerous for health and is a leading cause of causing cancer in individuals who smoke on a regular basis. Not only active smoking but passive smoking can be as risky too.
• Regular exercise is key to living a healthy and happy life.  It decreases the prevalence of various health problems including cancer too.
• A balanced diet can fight everything that is going to negatively impact the functioning of the body. Your body is what you eat. If eating junk and fast food is your way of living, then forget about the immunity you need to fight certain health battles for your own body. Processed food should be avoided as much as possible.
• Obesity is a leading cause of almost all the health problems that can occur in the body. Staying active, and eating clean can help you maintain a healthy weight.
• Sunscreen should be made an everyday essential. Protecting your skin from the radiation coming from the sun is very important to avoid the chances of developing skin cancer.
• Getting genetic counseling as per need.
• Regular screening and checkups must be followed religiously.

Brain tumors are abnormal and uncontrolled growth of brain tissue. They may occur inside any lobe of the brain or in the lining of the brain. These tumors can be fatal depending on their severity and the patient’s health. Brain tumors may be of two types i.e. primary (benign/non-cancerous) or secondary (malignant /cancerous). To precisely diagnose and prepare a treatment plan, doctors need to classify these tumors into various grades. These grades are discussed here in this article by India’s best neurosurgeon Dr. Kalyan Bommakanti.

The brain tumor grading system determines the severity of the tumor. A biopsy is done and then the tissue is examined under a microscope. The grading indicates the severity and the growth rate of the tumor. These grades range from 1-4 indicating 1 as the least severe and 4 as the most severe.

Grade 1:                   

Grade 1 tumors are the least aggressive in nature and have the relatively least fatality rate. These tumors are benign, slow growing, and non-cancerous in nature. The symptoms are mostly not very serious. The prognosis is usually good and there are good chances of long-term survival. Under a microscopic investigation, the anatomy and the structure of the cells don’t seem to be disrupted. Grade 1 tumors are common in children and younger adults.

Grade 2:

These tumors are slightly more aggressive than grade 1 tumors. They also grow at a slow rate but tend to metastasize. These tumors can spread to some other parts of the brain. Under a microscopic investigation, the structure of the cells seems to be slightly altered. These tumors can be recurrent and can come back with a higher grade than before. The prognosis is not as good as in grade 1.

Grade 3:

When the tumor is at stage 3, it is very active in nature and continues to produce abnormal cells which are cancerous in nature. These tumors are malignant and can metastasize to other parts of the brain, and recur with a higher grade and intensity. These too under the microscope present abnormal cells.

Grade 4:

This is the most aggressive stage of the tumor. It grows at a very fast speed and is very severe in nature. The cells multiply at a high rate and create new blood vessel networks to facilitate their growth. The cells look abnormal under the microscopic investigation. These tumors show necrotic areas inside them.