Like other parts of the globe, "World Brain Tumour Day-2016" is being observed here on Wednesday (today) to raise awareness about brain tumours among general public. To mark the day, different organisations have planned activities like walks, seminars, symposium and medical camps.
"It is not exactly known what causes these tumours, however, there is increased risk in certain rare genetic syndromes and childhood exposure to radiation. Certainly, if father or a brother has brain tumour, there is no increased risk in children or rest of family members," health professionals said, adding: "Brain tumours can present with headaches, problem with vision, epilepsy, stroke, personality changes and drowsiness. If not diagnosed early, may lead to comatose condition."
Professor Dr Khalid Mahmood, Principal and Professor of Neurosurgery Post Graduate Medical Institute, Lahore General Hospital said, 'It is very easy to diagnose these tumours with a contrast CT scan of brain which is widely available. Sometimes we have to do MRI scan of brain which gives better details of tumour size, location and its exact relation with blood vessels and eloquent parts of brain like speech, arm, face, leg areas. '
According to him, there are 100 different types of brain tumours and not every tumour is cancerous. Different types of brain tumours present in different age groups from childhood to old age. Tumours can either arise from brain primarily or spread to it from rest of body. However tumors arising from brain do not spread to other parts of body.
Recently, he said there has been great improvement in treatment for brain tumours in Pakistan which is at par with international standards. Today Neurosurgeon does minimally invasive surgery which means small area of head shave, small incision hidden in hair line with better visibility and direct and safe access to tumour with Neuronavigation and operating microscope.
He further said tumors at base of brain like pituitary tumours, skull base meningiomas etc, can be accessed through nose with endoscope without any external evidence of brain surgery. The magnified image along with crushing and suction of tumour with Cavitron ultrasonic surgical aspirator (CUSA) makes surgery very safe. All these diagnostic and operative facilities are available at Lahore General Hospital, he added. Generally in expert hands operative mortality of most of brain tumours is less than 5%, he said. Moreover improvement in anaesthesia techniques, ICU facilities, postoperative radiotherapy, gamma knife, chemotherapy (temezolamide) and gliadel wafers has improved patient survival with brain tumours, he added.
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