New Technologies Help in Brain Tumor Treatment| PatientsEngage

Submitted by PatientsEngage on 9 June 2018

Image: A woman holding her head in the background and a doctor looking at a brain scan showing brain tumour

Nearly 50% of brain tumours detected are cancerous. While advances in immunological and genetic testing will make early detection possible, your biggest wall of armour will be leading a healthy life, emphasizes Dr. Mohinish Bhatjiwale, consultant neurosurgeon at Nanavati Hospital.

What are the most common symptoms of brain tumour?

The most common symptoms of brain tumour is headache, unremitting headache associated with vomiting and blurred vision, weakness of any one side.

What percentage of brain tumour is cancerous?

In the last 25 years of my practice, we have seen nearly 50% brain tumours being malignant. We have seen an increase in this number in the last few years.

What is glioblastoma?

This is the most malignant form of brain tumour. It has high grade of malignancy. Life expectancy is very less. Most of the patients are shocked to know that they such a large tumour at presentation itself. Symptoms can be rapid in progression.

What factors affect the chances for survival for patients after a malignant brain tumour?

The survival of the patient depends on the totality of surgical excision of the tumour and the grade of malignancy.

Is it common for a brain tumour to recur? How often is it important to schedule follow-up visits?

The tumour can occur depending on the totality of the surgical excision. It depends on whether the tumour is malignant or not. The follow should be done after at least 3 months after surgery.

What are the latest tests and treatments for this type of cancer?

The latest tests include both immunological and genetic advances. These tests help in early detection. Use of cyberknife for smaller tumours is also the latest technology.

Who is most at risk for brain tumour?

Since there are no definite causative factors, as a whole it can occur in anybody. However, certain types of benign tumors like neurofibromatosis are familial.

Can brain tumour impact cognitive abilities and result in memory problems?

Of course since it is located in left dominant hemisphere.

On World Brain Tumour Day, could you share a few tips to prevent brain cancer?

Healthy lifestyle
Stay close to nature
Genetic testing in the future
Avoid being around the sources of radiation

Dr. Mohinish Bhatjiwale, consultant neurosurgeon at Nanavati Hospital.

Community

Cancer

Condition

Cancer

Changed

Sat, 06/08/2019 - 18:08

Stories

Real Experiences Of The Side Effects Of Chemotherapy

Hair Loss is one of the more dreaded side effects of chemotherapy. But thats not the only side effect. Our contributors shared the other side effects they went through. Often the side effects were different in each cycle. Here is a compilation of the various side effects experienced by our contributors. There have been a few who had no major side effects apart from hair loss. This article can help other patients and their families be prepared for these side-effects. Click on the name to…
I Had To Live And Fight My Osteosarcoma For My Son

A diagnosis of Osteosarcoma (Bone Cancer) when she was 26 years old changed Neema's life forever. She talks of her challenging journey including multiple surgeries, amputation and more and the person who motivated her to fight the cancer. Please tell us a bit about your condition It was November of 1998 when I was just 26 years old. I was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma (bone cancer) of my knee. What were the early symptoms? What made you go see a doctor? I used to work at a Research lab where I…
My Brain Tumour Diagnosis Made Me Bold

When A Chitra, 38 from Bengaluru started having seizures, she was initially treated for epilepsy but was eventually diagnosed with Malignant Glioma, a type of brain tumour. She shares how she handled the gamut of treatment and the emotional distress with the support of her team of doctors, family and friends and employer. Chitra, please tell us a bit about your condition I was diagnosed with brain tumour called Anaplastic Astrocytoma Grade III. It is a rare, malignant tumour…
Why Cancer Patients Need Counselling

Ms.Bincy Mathew is a psycho-oncologist, currently working with HCMCT-Manipal Hospitals, New Delhi. She talks about the importance of counselling for cancer patients and their families who are dealing with their psycho-social issues. What is the role of Psycho-oncology or psychosocial oncology in Cancer care? It is not a myth that cancer brings a lot of emotional and psychological burden on patient’s and caregiver's lives. The fact is, most people are not prepared to face such unexpected…
Post Mastectomy Breast Prosthesis - Importance and Options

Dr. Rohini Patil, a gynaecologist and a 17 year breast cancer survivor from Nagpur was shocked at the lack of awareness about breast prosthesis after mastectomy. She decided to do something about it. Tell us a little about how Knitted Knockers Nagpur came into being. India is seeing an increase in the incidence of cancer, more worrisome is its increase incidence in the younger population. In India 1 in 22 women have a life time risk of getting diagnosed with Breast Cancer, this is…
Need for Holistic Management of Cancer Pain

Cancer pain can be treated and quality of life in a cancer patient can be enhanced by appropriate medications, emphasise Dr Mary Abraham, Pain & Palliative Care Physician, and Dr Vandana V Prakash, Clinical Psychologist. Despite increased attention to cancer pain, it still continues to be a major issue with cancer patients and survivors. Why is it so? There are many reasons why cancer pain is still a major issue with cancer patients and survivors. Firstly, there is a misconception and fear…
After Cancer I Started Concentrating on the NOW

Pranay Rangra, 35 from Mumbai, is a Stage 2 Non Hodgkin’s Lymphoma survivor shares the psycho-social aspects of life after cancer, how cancer has changed his life. And his future plans, including making a documentary on South Africa. We spoke to Pranay Rangra on a wide range of topics during the webinar Living Better After Cancer: Adapting to the New Reality. Here are some of the points we spoke about. How did you deal with work colleagues and friends visiting I was very clear…
Photography For Therapy And Self Esteem

On World Photography Day, we share how photography has provided therapeutic benefit to cancer patients of all ages, helped increased self esteem and self confidence and stimulated emotions and intellect of the visually impaired. Geetha Paniker, a breast cancer survivor, shares her views on how various forms of creating art, and even photography, can heal both the mind and the body. I truly believe that photography is an incredibly powerful therapy to heal oneself. It is a passion that…
"I Am Hopeful Of A Cure For This Rare Tumor"

Rima Roy is a young woman of 22 and suffers from a rare condition of Giant Cell Tumors in the Sacram. She shares the emotional toll the diagnosis took on her and how she has come to terms with this rare condition. Describe yourself, Rima I am a warrior in the battlefield of rare disease since I was 19 When were you diagnosed? 19/04/2016. X-ray of the Lumbo- Sacral Spines AP/ LAT views revealed Transitional vertibrae: D12 having rudimentary ribs & L5 sacralized. Then on 14/03/2018 the…
Faith And Support Are Important When A Family Member Is Affected By Cancer

Dipanwita Mukherjee was a small girl when her father Bibhuti Bhusan Chakraverty was diagnosed with throat cancer. This is his story, how he overcame his condition and also how he reached out to many others to alleviate their pain. A recent Bengali film, Kontho, based on Mr Chakraverty’s life and struggles has also brought the story back in focus. When was your father diagnosed with throat cancer? My father, late Bibhuti Bhusan Chakraverty was detected with throat cancer in the year 1972. He was…