Brain Tumours

Brain tumours occur when the brain tissue cells begin reproducing at an uncontrollable rate, bunching together to form a lump. If these cells stay within the tumour, the tumour is considered to be benign, or harmless. If, however, the cells begin to spread to other tissue, the tumour is considered malignant, or cancerous.

Symptoms of brain tumours include:

• Headaches, which are worse in the morning but gradually become more bearable throughout the day
• Seizures or uncontrollable convulsions
• Nausea and/or vomiting
• Weakness or loss of feeling in the arms and/or legs
• Stumbling or difficulty walking
• Changes in vision a
• Abnormal eye movements
• Changes in personality, memory, and speech and alertness level

A CT scan can help doctors examine the size and exact location of the tumour. CT scans can also help doctors guide a biopsy into the brain to obtain a tissue sample for the tumour. All of this knowledge will help the doctor determine if the tumour is benign or malignant, and decide on a further course of action.