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Brain Cancer
Overview
What is Brain Cancer?
Brain cancer arises when cancer cells (uncontrollable growth of cells) grow in the brain or in organs adjacent to the brain. The tumors may be primary (in the brain) or secondary (metastatic from another location). Depending on their location and nature, they can disrupt essential functions like thinking, movement, and sensation. At Everhope, our empathetic clinicians utilize state-of-the-art diagnostics and personally tailored treatment programs to walk patients through every step of their process.
Brain Cancer Types
Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM)
- It is the most malignant and common brain cancer in adults. It originates from glial cells, grows rapidly, and spreads to surrounding brain tissue. Headaches, seizures, and memory loss ensue. Surgery, irradiation, and chemotherapy are common therapies, but prognosis is guarded due to its high rate of recurrence.
Astrocytoma
- Astrocytomas are derived from brain cells called astrocytes, which are star-shaped. They are low-grade (slow-growing) to high-grade (malignant), so we can't predict their behavior. Symptoms depend on where the tumor is and can lead to seizures, neurological deterioration, and personality changes. Treatment involves surgical resection, radiation, and chemotherapy depending on grade.
Meningioma
- Meningiomas originate from the meninges, which are covering layers of the brain and spinal cord. They are most often slow-growing and benign but atypical or malignant in certain instances. Headaches, visual changes, or neurologic deficits due to the effect of pressure are the typical presenting signs. Treatment of meningiomas is with observation, surgery, or radiation.
Oligodendroglioma
- Oligodendrogliomas are more treatable, slow-growing brain tumors that develop from oligodendrocytes. These cells support and insulate nerve cells. Patients develop fewer symptoms than other gliomas, most often seizures and mental problems. Long-term prognosis is better than for other gliomas, particularly glioblastoma, with early detection. Patients develop fewer symptoms than other gliomas, more often seizures and mental problems.
Ependymoma
- Ependymomas are tumors that arise from ependymal cells lining the ventricles of the brain and the spinal cord. They arise in children and adults and are characterized by headache, nausea, and loss of balance. They are treated most commonly by surgery, with radiation therapy being added, particularly in children.
Medulloblastoma
- Medulloblastomas are cerebellar tumors of the brain that most commonly occur in children. Medulloblastomas metastasize via cerebrospinal fluid to the spinal cord. Symptoms and signs are poor coordination, headache, and vomiting. The treatment is with surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy with better survival rates in recent times.
Pituitary Adenona
- Pituitary adenomas are generally benign tumors of the pituitary gland. Although noncancerous, they can disrupt hormone balance and cause symptoms like vision changes, weakness, or abnormal menstruation. Some must be removed surgically, but others can be treated with medication or follow-up on a regular basis depending on size and activity.
Primary CNS Lymphoma
- Primary Central Nervous System (CNS) Lymphoma is a rare, aggressive type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma confined to the brain, spinal cord, or eyes. It may occur in immunocompromised or immunocompetent hosts. Presentation is headache, personality change, and confusion. Treatment of choice is high-dose chemotherapy and radiation, with close follow-up for relapse.
Brain Cancer Symptoms
Chronic pain that worsens with night or with no obvious injury could be a sign of underlying bone abnormalities.
What’s Notable
- Though rare, bone cancer is one of the most dangerous cancers in children and teenagers.
- Osteosarcoma peaks during the adolescent growth spurt and, therefore, early detection in adolescence is important.
- Delays in diagnosis usually result in bone cancer that is much progressed in stage, and treatment and recovery are more complicated.
When to Seek Help
Worsening headache in the mornings may reflect greater pressure from a brain tumor. Seizure patterns changing or seizures occurring may reflect irregular brain activity from a tumor. Blurred vision, double vision, or difficulty hearing can be due to tumors pressing sensory nerves. Trouble with speech or word-finding can be related to speech center tumors.
Brain Cancer Causes & Risk Factors
Genetic disorders (e.g., Li-Fraumeni syndrome, inherited retinoblastoma)
Certain inherited genetic abnormalities may significantly increase lifetime risk of developing bone cancer.
Prior bone exposure to radiation
A prior exposure to high doses of radiation, especially in children, can damage bone cells and lead to cancer many years later.
Paget's bone disease (particularly in old age)
It is a chronic bone disease resulting in abnormal bone remodeling, making the elderly susceptible to malignant transformation.
Bone trauma or long-standing bone inflammation
Recurring inflammation or long-standing damage to the same bone can result in abnormal cell growth over a period of time.
History of bone cancer in the family
First-degree relatives with a history of bone cancer can suggest inherited susceptibility or shared risk factors.
Brain Cancer Diagnosis
Early Symptoms & Check Up
Step 1: Early Symptoms & Check-up
- Common symptoms: fatigue, spontaneous bruising or bleeding, frequent infections, swollen lymph glands
- Physician performs a physical exam and reviews medical history
Your role: Share any changes you’ve noticed openly.
Brain Cancer Treatment
Chemotherapy
- What it does
- Destroys proliferating brain and spine cancer cells.
- Treated for
- Medulloblastoma, CNS lymphoma, high-grade gliomas
- Recovery
- Administered in cycles; may come with hair loss, nausea, and fatigue, and needs close monitoring.
Targeted Therapy
- What it does
- Stops specific genes or proteins from helping brain tumors to grow.
- Treated for
- Tumors with recognized mutations such as EGFR, BRAF, IDH1
- Common medications
- Bevacizumab, Everolimus
- Recovery
- Tumor genetics and response-dependent; fewer side effects than usual chemo
Immunotherapy
- What it does
- Stimulates the immune system to recognize and eliminate tumor cells.
- Used for
- Recurrent glioblastoma, CNS lymphoma, clinical trials
- Drugs used
- Immune checkpoint inhibitors (nivolumab, pembrolizumab)
- Recovery
- Individual response; fatigue and swelling can occur.
Management and Prevention
Seizure Control
- Anti-epileptics and routine brain imaging
Rehab Support
- Speech, occupational, and mobility therapy
Regular Monitoring
- Imaging follow-ups and neurological exams
Why Choose Everhope For Brain Cancer?
At Everhope, our experts support your proactive care with advanced treatment — guiding you with knowledge, hope, and healing.
- 20K+
- cases of brain tumors reported in India annually
- 24K+
- People die every year because of brain tumors in India
- 0.25 Million
- Number of deaths every year in the world due to Brain and CNS cancers.
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Questions
FAQs on Brain Cancer
No question is too small when it comes to your care
Are all brain tumors cancerous?
No, some are noncancerous (e.g., meningiomas), but all must be checked because of where they live.
Can brain cancer spread to other organs?
Typically, it stays in the CNS but can spread inside the brain or spinal fluid.
Does brain cancer always cause headaches?
Not always, some are discovered incidentally painless.
Will I lose my memory or speech?
It depends on the site of the tumor. Function can be regained through rehabilitation.
Are brain tumors completely curable?
Some are, others may require prolonged treatment like gliomas or metastases.
Does radiation damage brain function?
Today's methods reduce risk, but there is a possibility of cognitive effects — especially in children or with large-field radiation.
Find a Hospital Near You
Everhope x SSO Hospital, Ghatkopar West
Silver Point, 7th Floor, Lal Bahadur Shastri Marg, Kasturi Park, Ghatkopar West, Mumbai 400086
Mon to Sun, 9am to 9pm
Everhope x SSO Hospital, Andheri West
2nd Floor, New Link Road, above Axis Bank, Andheri West, Mumbai 400053
Mon to Sun, 9am to 9pm
Everhope x SSO Hospital, Thane
Ground Floor, Amber Arcade, below Waviker Eye Institute, Majiwada, Thane 400601
Mon to Sun, 24 hrs
Everhope x SSO Hospital, Chembur
6th Floor, 604 Business Point, DK Sandu Marg, Chembur, Mumbai 400071
Mon to Sun, 9am to 9pm
Everhope x SSO Hospital, Vashi
Clinic 51, 4th Floor, Shanti Center, Sector 17, Vashi, Navi Mumbai 400703
Mon to Sat, 11:30am to 9pm
Everhope x SSO Hospital, Charni Road
9th Floor, Mehta Mahal, 15 Mathew Road, Opera House, Charni Road (East), Mumbai 400004
Mon to Sun, 9am to 9pm
Everhope x SRCC Hospital, Haji Ali
1-1A, Keshavrao Khadye Marg, Haji Ali, Haji Ali Government Colony, Mahalakshmi, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400034
Mon to Sun, 24 hrs
Everhope x EPIC Hospital, Ahmedabad
Rajpath Rangoli Road, behind Rajpath Club, off S.G. Highway, Bodakdev, Ahmedabad 380059
Mon to Sun, 9am to 9pm
Everhope Hospital, Gurugram (Sector 65)
EBD 65, Sector 65, Golf Course Extension Road
Mon to Sat, 8am to 8pm
Everhope Hospital, Gurugram (Sector 14)
Mehrauli-Gurgaon Rd, Anamika Enclave, Sector 14
Mon to Sat, 9am to 6pm
Everhope x SSO Hospital, Belgaum
9666A-2/D, behind BUDA Office, Ashok Nagar, Shivaji Nagar, Belgaum 590016
Mon to Sun, 24 hrs