Brain Tumour

Brain Tumour

A brain tumour, in simple terms, is an abnormal growth of cells within the brain tissue or its coverings. Now, not every tumour behaves the same way. Some grow slowly, almost quietly, while others can be more aggressive and tend to invade nearby structures.

Common Symptoms of Brain Tumour

Symptoms are not always dramatic in the beginning. In fact, many are subtle and easy to dismiss.

  • A headache that is dull, persistent, and often worse in the early morning
  • A sudden seizure in someone who has never had one before
  • Blurring of vision, sometimes just in one quadrant, like the outer edge of the right eye
  • Occasionally, patients experience an imbalance
  • Speech changes can happen, too

It is essential to know that these symptoms do not always mean cancer. However, they must be evaluated. A small tumour, say 1.5–2 cm in the left temporal lobe (near speech centres), may cause significant symptoms. Meanwhile, a larger lesion in a relatively silent area may remain unnoticed for months. Consult a cancer specialist in Navi Mumbai at UMC Hospitals for further assistance.

Types of Brain Tumour

Broadly, brain tumours fall into two categories:

  • Primary tumours
    These originate within the brain itself. Common ones include gliomas (like glioblastoma), meningiomas, and pituitary adenomas.
  • Secondary (metastatic) tumours
    These spread to the brain from cancers elsewhere, often from the lung, breast, or kidney. In daily practice, these are actually more common than primary tumours.

Another distinction patients ask about is benign vs malignant. Benign tumours may not spread, but even they can cause pressure effects, compressing nearby structures like the optic chiasm or brainstem. Malignant tumours tend to grow faster and infiltrate surrounding tissue.

In most cases, there is no clear single cause. That uncertainty can be frustrating.

A few known risk factors do exist:

  • Previous radiation exposure to the head
  • Certain genetic conditions or family history
  • Environmental exposures

  • The process usually begins with a neurological examination where we check reflexes, balance, coordination, and cranial nerve functions
  • MRI remains the most useful test in day-to-day practice, which detects the tumour and shows the exact location
  • For more complex cases, functional MRI or mapping studies may be used. These help identify critical areas responsible for speech or movement before planning surgery
  • A definitive diagnosis requires a biopsy. This may be done during surgery or through a stereotactic (needle-guided) approach, especially for deep-seated lesions
  • The histopathology report (what the cells look like under a microscope) ultimately confirms the tumour type and grade

Treatment of Brain Tumour

Treatment is not uniform; it varies based on tumour type, size, location, and the patient’s overall condition.

Surgery is often the first step, especially if the tumour is accessible. The goal is what we call maximal safe resection, removing as much tumour as possible while preserving critical brain functions like speech, vision, and movement.

  • In selected cases, minimally invasive techniques are used, allowing access to deeper areas with less disruption to surrounding tissue
  • After surgery, or sometimes as the primary approach, we may recommend:
    • Radiation therapy, including precise techniques like stereotactic radiosurgery
    • Chemotherapy, depending on tumour type and sensitivity
    • Targeted or newer therapies in specific situations
  • In some cases, radiation therapy may be recommended for deep tumours

Brain tumour surgery treatment in Navi Mumbai at UMC Hospitals is usually multidisciplinary, with neurosurgeons, oncologists, and radiologists working together to decide the safest and most effective plan.

Recovery and Rehabilitation

Recovery after brain tumour treatment is often gradual and sometimes uneven. In the first few weeks, patients may notice fatigue, mild confusion, or weakness, especially if areas near the motor cortex or cerebellum were involved. Speech can be slow to return. Rehabilitation usually includes physiotherapy, speech therapy, and cognitive exercises. Improvement may take weeks to months. Family support, patience, and structured follow-up play a very important role in long-term recovery.

We are committed to providing the most advanced, efficient, and compassionate care for brain tumour treatment. We provide:

  • Multidisciplinary team involving neurosurgeons, oncologists, and neuro-radiologists
  • Structured, case-by-case treatment planning rather than a standard protocol
  • Advanced imaging support for precise diagnosis and surgical planning
  • Access to stereotactic radiation and modern therapy options
  • Dedicated neuro-rehabilitation support for recovery

What matters most is not just technology, but decision-making, choosing when to operate, how much to remove, and when to stop. That balance often defines outcomes. Consult the best oncologists at UMC Hospitals for advanced brain tumour treatment in Navi Mumbai.