Brain tumours curable if detected at early stage: experts

'World Brain Tumour Day-2016' was observed here like other parts of the country and rest of the world with a resolve to continue efforts for early detection of brain tumours by raising awareness among public. To mark the day, different organisations arranged activities aimed at raising awareness among people about the brain tumours. Experts in these functions said that most of the brain tumours are curable, if detected at early stage.
However, doctors treating the disease of brain tumour, need to focus on research to find out the roots of the tumour as it was very important for the life of the patients. Experts further said all types of brain tumour were not fatal. With the advancements in medical field, the cure and treatment of this ailment had improved a lot. Initial treatment of a tumour was its removal through surgery. However, in some cases, when doctor could not remove the tumour for various reasons, it was treated with radiation.
Principal Post Graduate Medical Institute and Lahore General Hospital Professor Dr Khalid Mahmood said that a modern method of operation through nose has been introduced for the treatment of brain tumour in Lahore General Hospital. Moreover, a highly efficient MRI machine with vast capacity of work is being installed at the LGH at a cost of Rs 250 million which will be the first one in all public sector hospitals.
In order to avoid brain tumour, simple way of life, regular physical exercise, profound sleep and free from mental stress and strain are very effective measures, he said. Professor Khalid Mahmood said that most of the hospitals of Punjab are having facilities of neuro surgery for this kind of diseases. He said that our country is facing acute shortage of neuro surgeons and only 20 professors of neuro surgery and 200 neuro surgeons are available for 200 million population.
He said that permanent headache and vomiting are major symptoms of brain tumour and such cases must be referred to doctor immediately. He said that brain tumour in equally common with male and female but those children who are having radiation can be soft target of this disease.
He further said that establishment of Punjab Institute of Neuro Sciences is a great development which have so far cost of Rs 2 billion. This 10-storey building will have 500 beds with facilities of physio therapy, lab and 15 skill work stations.
This project reflects the keen interest of Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif who gave away huge funds for the project. This institute would provide all medical and diagnostic facilities to patients under one roof. Moreover doctors would be able to conduct modern research and training through this institute. Dr Khalid also termed this impression wrong that mobile phone can be harmful and cause brain tumour. He said that research has proved this concept baseless.