Early Detection Increases Success Rate of Brain Tumour Treatment, Doctor Says
Jakarta (ANTARA) - A neurosurgeon at RS Premier Bintaro has reminded the public to be aware of brain tumour symptoms and to seek immediate examination if experiencing chronic or progressively worsening neurological complaints, as early detection can improve treatment success.
Brain tumours are not always malignant, but both benign and malignant tumours can potentially disrupt vital functions because they grow within the confined space of the skull and can press on brain tissue.
Neurosurgeon at RS Premier Bintaro, Dr. Moch. Evodia Slamet R., Sp.BS, said in a statement on Thursday that many people still assume all brain tumours are malignant, whereas the majority of primary brain tumours are benign.
“Generally, brain tumours consist of primary tumours originating from brain tissue or the lining of the brain, and secondary or metastatic tumours resulting from the spread of cancer from other organs such as the breast, lung, or thyroid. Based on international data, approximately 72 per cent of primary brain tumours are benign, while the remaining 28 per cent are malignant,” said Dr Evodia.
According to her, symptoms to watch for include chronic headaches that worsen and are accompanied by blurred vision, seizures appearing for the first time in adulthood, balance disorders, limb weakness, hearing loss, personality changes, and projectile vomiting accompanied by decreased consciousness.
In certain conditions, she continued, a brain tumour can become a medical emergency, for instance when it causes hydrocephalus or bleeding within the tumour, requiring immediate treatment to prevent permanent brain damage or death.
To establish a diagnosis, patients generally require a CT scan or MRI with contrast so that the location and characteristics of the tumour can be seen more clearly.
RS Premier Bintaro provides multidisciplinary brain tumour management, including drug therapy to reduce symptoms and brain swelling, open and endoscopic neurosurgery, radiotherapy including Gamma Knife Radiosurgery, and chemotherapy for certain cases such as glioblastoma.
Evodia explained that Gamma Knife Radiosurgery is a non-invasive procedure using focused radiation to control the growth of small tumours. The method requires only a single session and does not cause surgical wounds.
She stressed that the public should not ignore prolonged or increasingly progressive neurological symptoms, as early examination can increase the chances of successful therapy while preventing more severe complications.