Brain tumours are abnormal growths in the brain that can be benign (not cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). The following are the most common types of brain tumours:

1. Gliomas: These are tumours that develop from the glial cells that support the brain. They can be benign (astrocytoma, oligodendroglioma) or malignant (glioblastoma).
2. Brain metastases: These are tumours where cancer cells from a primary tumour spread to the brain. Treatment options for brain metastasis include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and targeted therapy.
3. Meningiomas: These are tumours that develop from the tissue that covers the brain and spinal cord. They are usually benign.
4. Schwannomas: These are tumours that develop from the cells that surround the nerves. They are usually benign.
5. Pituitary tumours: These are tumours that develop in the pituitary gland, a small endocrine gland located at the base of the brain. They can be benign or malignant.
6. Craniopharyngiomas: These are tumours that develop near the hypothalamus, a region of the brain that controls many important functions. They are usually benign.
7. Medulloblastomas: These are malignant tumours that develop from cells that make up the inner part of the brain. They are more common in children.
8. Lymphomas: These are cancers of the immune system that can start in the brain. They are malignant.

Symptoms of brain tumours vary depending on the size, location, and type of tumour, but can include headaches, nausea, vomiting, changes in vision or speech, seizures, and changes in mood, behaviour, or cognitive function. If you have any of these symptoms, it is important to consult a doctor for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.

GLIOBLASTOMA

Glioblastoma (GBM) is a type of malignant brain tumour that is typically fast-growing and highly aggressive. The following information is important for patients to know about GBM:

• Symptoms: Common symptoms of GBM can include headaches, nausea, vomiting, changes in vision or speech, seizures, and changes in mood, behaviour, or cognitive function.
• Diagnosis: A diagnosis of GBM is usually made after a combination of medical tests, including imaging studies (MRI or CT scan) and biopsy.
• Treatment: The standard treatment for GBM includes surgery to remove as much of the tumour as possible, followed by radiation therapy and chemotherapy.
• Prognosis: GBM is a challenging disease to treat, and the prognosis for patients with GBM is generally poor, with a median survival time of about 15 months from diagnosis. However, with advances in treatments, some patients may live longer.
• Side effects: Treatment for GBM can cause a variety of side effects, including fatigue, nausea, hair loss, and skin irritation.
• Coping: Living with a diagnosis of GBM can be emotionally and physically challenging, and patients may benefit from support groups, counselling, or other forms of emotional support.

It is important to work closely with your healthcare team to develop a comprehensive treatment plan that is tailored to your individual needs and goals. The team will be able to provide you with more detailed information about your specific situation and help you understand what to expect.

BRAIN METASTASIS

Brain metastasis (also known as secondary brain cancer) is a condition where cancer cells from a primary tumour spread to the brain. Here are some key points for patients to know about brain metastasis:

• Symptoms: Headache, confusion, seizures, weakness or numbness on one side of the body, vision changes, and difficulty speaking or balancing.
• Diagnosis: Brain metastasis is usually diagnosed through imaging tests, such as MRI or CT scans, and sometimes a biopsy of the brain tissue may be needed.
• Treatment: Treatment options for brain metastasis include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and targeted therapy. The choice of treatment depends on several factors, including the type of primary cancer, the number and location of brain metastases, and the overall health of the patient.
• Prognosis: The prognosis for patients with brain metastasis varies greatly depending on the type and stage of the primary cancer, the number and location of brain metastases, and the patient’s overall health.
• Managing symptoms: Patients may also need to manage symptoms such as headache, nausea, and fatigue, which can be treated with medications and lifestyle changes.

It is important to work closely with your healthcare team to develop a comprehensive treatment plan that is tailored to your individual needs and goals. The team will be able to provide you with more detailed information about your specific situation and help you understand what to expect.

MENINGIOMA

A meningioma is a type of brain tumour that develops from the tissue that covers the brain and spinal cord. The following information is important for patients to know about meningiomas:

• Symptoms: Common symptoms of meningiomas can include headaches, changes in vision or speech, seizures, and changes in mood, behaviour, or cognitive function. However, many meningiomas do not cause any symptoms and are discovered incidentally.

Diagnosis: A diagnosis of a meningioma is usually made after a combination of medical tests, including imaging studies (MRI or CT scan) and biopsy.

• Treatment: The treatment of meningiomas depends on the size, location, and symptoms of the tumour, but may include surgery, radiation therapy, or a combination of both.
• Prognosis: Meningiomas are generally slow-growing tumours and have a relatively good prognosis. In many cases, the tumours can be completely removed with surgery and do not recur.
• Side effects: Treatment for meningiomas can cause a variety of side effects, depending on the treatment approach and the location of the tumour. These can include changes in vision or hearing, difficulty with coordination or balance, and problems with speech or cognition.
• Coping: Living with a diagnosis of a meningioma can be emotionally and physically challenging, and patients may benefit from support groups, counselling, or other forms of emotional support.

It is important to work closely with your healthcare team to develop a comprehensive treatment plan that is tailored to your individual needs and goals. The team will be able to provide you with more detailed information about your specific situation and help you understand what to expect.

PITUITARY TUMOUR

Pituitary tumours are growths that develop in the pituitary gland, which is a small organ located at the base of the brain. Here are some key points for patients to know about pituitary tumours:

• Types: There are two main types of pituitary tumours: functional and non-functional. Functional tumours produce hormones that can affect various body functions, while non-functional tumours do not produce hormones.
• Symptoms: Symptoms of pituitary tumours can vary depending on the type and size of the tumour, and may include headaches, vision problems, fatigue, and changes in hormone levels.
• Diagnosis: Pituitary tumours are diagnosed through a combination of medical history, physical examination, imaging tests (such as MRI or CT scans), and hormone tests.
• Treatment: Treatment options for pituitary tumours include observation, medication, radiation therapy, and surgery. The choice of treatment depends on the size and type of the tumour, and the patient’s overall health.
• Prognosis: The prognosis for patients with pituitary tumours depends on the size and type of the tumour, and the patient’s overall health. In many cases, pituitary tumours can be successfully treated and do not return.
• Monitoring: Regular monitoring of pituitary tumours is important to ensure that the condition is being properly managed and to make any necessary adjustments to the treatment plan.

It is important to work closely with your healthcare team to develop a comprehensive treatment plan that is tailored to your individual needs and goals. The team will be able to provide you with more detailed information about your specific situation and help you understand what to expect.

DEVELOPMENTS IN BRAIN TUMOUR MANAGEMENT

There have been several recent developments in the treatment of brain tumours:

• Immunotherapy: Researchers are exploring the use of immunotherapy, which harnesses the power of the immune system to fight cancer, in the treatment of brain tumours. New drugs and treatments are being developed that target specific proteins or pathways involved in the development of brain tumours.
• Precision medicine: Precision medicine uses genetic and molecular information to tailor treatment to the specific characteristics of a patient’s tumour. This approach is being used to develop new drugs and treatments for brain tumours that are more effective and have fewer side effects.
• Stereotactic radiosurgery: Stereotactic radiosurgery, such as the Gamma Knife, is becoming increasingly popular for the treatment of brain tumours. This non-invasive procedure uses high-dose radiation to precisely target the tumour while minimizing exposure to surrounding healthy tissue.
• Clinical trials: There are many ongoing clinical trials exploring new treatments for brain tumours, including new drugs, immunotherapies, and radiation therapies.
• Combination therapy: Researchers are also exploring the use of combination therapy, which combines different treatments, such as surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy, to improve outcomes for patients with brain tumours.

These developments are exciting and hold promise for improving the treatment of brain tumours in the future. However, it is important to note that new treatments are often still in the early stages of development and may not be available to all patients.

It is important to work closely with your healthcare team to develop a comprehensive treatment plan that is tailored to your individual needs and goals. The team will be able to provide you with more detailed information about your specific situation and help you understand what to expect.