Our brain and the spinal cord form the central nervous system of our bodies, which is responsible for all the crucial functions. Our body movements, thoughts, and speech are some of the vital functions that are taken care of by the central nervous system (CNS). But if tumor growth is detected in the CNS, you can quite well imagine how it will affect a person's life. People who have been diagnosed with a brain tumor have a low survival rate. There are various reasons behind it, and this article will delineate the causes.
Brain tumors can be of varied types and can be located in any place. More than 120 different kinds of brain tumors have been found to date, and each has its own distinct features and treatment challenges. Due to this diverse and complex nature, it's difficult for doctors to treat a patient with a standardized approach known to have a positive outcome. So, the treatment options vary from patient to patient.
When a brain tumor is in its early stages, it shows symptoms like
These symptoms can be caused by some other health conditions. That's why when a person has a tumor in his brain; it goes undetected for a long time. When the effects of the brain tumor worsen (like the person may experience memory loss, loss of balance, and blackouts) and finally he sees the doctor, it becomes too late to do anything. By this time, the tumor had enlarged and infiltrated deep into the brain.
These tumors are very invasive in nature. It can grow deeper into the brain and infiltrate into regions where it is not always possible to remove it surgically. Sometimes, if the surgery takes place, microscopic cells of the tumor can remain, which starts to grow later, and thus the cancer recurs. Our brain is a delicate structure. Surgery is critical, and during the operation of the tumor, certain nerves can get impaired, causing damage to our bodily functions.
Limited treatment options are available to cure brain tumors due to their varied nature. Chemo, radiation, and surgery are the common treatment procedures followed, which may or may not be effective in treating all of them.
Even after positive therapeutic intervention, the tumor may recur in the same region or spread to other areas of the brain. These regrowths are more aggressive and often are non-responsive to the treatments. Thus, the survival rate drops further.
A brain tumor can cause distinct neurological impairments. An individual may experience convulsions, personality changes, motor dysfunction, or sensory abnormalities. Successful surgery may have removed the tumor, but the neurological deficits may impact the person's overall lifestyle. Such abnormalities may be responsible for the decrease in the survival rates of people suffering from brain tumors.
But remember, the survival rates will vary depending on numerous factors like the tumor's type, location, the patient's overall health, age, and accessibility of specialized treatment options.
