Why Delaying a Brain Tumour Check-Up Can Be Fatal

The demands of high-productivity urban life often lead to physical complaints like headaches being dismissed as trivial. A cup of coffee or an instant painkiller is usually the quick fix to relieve emerging tension. However, persistent pain may not just be a sign of stress from workload, but a danger alarm sent from within the skull. Until now, a brain tumour diagnosis remains a terrifying spectre immediately associated with the end of everything. Public opinion has been shaped by the narrative that disorders of the central nervous system always end in malignancy and despair. In reality, the medical world continues to advance, bringing new facts and technology capable of changing the safety map for patients. Neurosurgeon Dr Moch Evodia Slamet R, Sp.BS, stated that many people assume all types of brain tumours are cancerous or malignant. The fact is, the international medical landscape shows a vastly different condition. Broadly speaking, Dr Evodia explained that brain tumours are divided into two main groups. The first are primary tumours that grow and originate directly from brain tissue or the lining of the brain. The second are secondary tumours (metastasis), which are cancer cells sent from other organs that have spread, such as from the breast, lungs, or thyroid gland. According to international data he presented, about 72 per cent of primary brain tumours are actually benign, while only 28 per cent are categorised as malignant. Although the percentage of benign tumours is far more dominant, Dr Evodia reminded the public not to take them lightly. The human skull cavity is a sturdy box with a very limited volume. “Currently, many people assume all brain tumours are definitely malignant. The fact is, the majority of primary brain tumours are benign. However, both benign and malignant tumours can still be dangerous because they are located within the limited skull cavity, which can press on brain tissue and disrupt vital functions,” he said at a media gathering for RS Premier Bintaro titled “Brain Tumours Can Be Handled Optimally If Detected Early” in Jakarta on Thursday (18/6/2026). The slow-growing nature of brain tumours often makes the symptoms vague in the early stages. Dr Evodia stated that this condition rarely appears suddenly with dramatic symptoms. Instead, it develops gradually and is often mistaken for a common health disorder.