World Brain Tumor Day: Facts about this fatal disease
Every year June 8 is observed as World Brain Tumor Day to raise awareness of brain tumors as well as honor individuals with brain tumors, their families, and medical professionals. The International Association of Cancer Registries (IARC) states that there are around 28,000 cases of brain cancer reported in India every year. Let us look deep into the disease.
Establishment of the German Brain Tumor Association
The German Brain Tumor Association established World Brain Tumor Day on June 8, 2000, to support people with brain tumors. The association was established in 1998 to provide assistance and raise money to aid cancer sufferers, as well as their families. The association today supports science and research to assist efficient treatments for brain tumors, particularly in the neuro-oncology department.
Understanding brain tumor
An abnormal cell development in the brain's mass is known as a brain tumor. There are various kinds of brain tumors. Some are malignant, while others are not. Brain tumors can be caused in two ways. It can begin in the brain or cancer can begin in other parts of the body and then spread to the brain as secondary brain tumors.
What causes brain tumors?
The exact cause of brain tumors is unknown at this time. Many medical professionals think long-term exposure to radiation (such as X-rays) can result in brain tumors. Some people also think that technology, such as mobile phones, is to blame for several malignancies, including brain tumors, but this hasn't been confirmed yet. Numerous types of studies are still being conducted in this area.
Major symptoms
The symptoms might vary depending on where in the brain the tumor is located, but some frequent ones include vision issues, headaches, seizures, and vomiting. The person may also occasionally struggle with talking, smelling, hearing, and walking. As per the NHP data, the majority of patients suffering from brain tumors die within 9-12 months and less than 3% survive more than three years.
How is it treated?
Surgery is the initial treatment for brain tumors, both benign and malignant. The goal is to remove as much tumor as possible while preserving neurological function. Chemotherapy may also be employed, where anti-cancer drugs are supplied to the body to kill cancer cells. Researchers at UCSF are exploring a vaccine to treat recurrent glioma, a form of brain cancer affecting the central nervous system.
Cases of brain tumors are increasing in India
A brain tumor is a serious medical illness that, if found and treated improperly, can be fatal. The prevalence of brain tumors in India is gradually increasing, with a rising number of reported cases and deaths each year among people of all ages. According to reports, brain tumors are India's tenth most prevalent type of cancer.
