JOIN USCan radiation from microwaves, cellphones and laptops can cause brain tumour? Dr Vikram Singh deconstructs some common myths associated with the oft-misunderstood disease
Cells are the building blocks of our body’s tissues and organs. During normal functioning, the cells divide in a controlled manner, even as the older cells die. Cancer is the disease characterised by an abnormal functioning of these cells, wherein these cells start multiplying randomly in an uncontrolled manner. When these randomly multiplying cells develop into a lump, it is referred to as a tumour.
A tumour can develop in any part of the body, including the brain. Brain tumours can occur at any age, though they are more common in people above 60 years. The exact cause of brain tumours is not known, as is the case with cancers. The medical community is yet to ascertain what causes the disruption of normal cycle in the life of cells. The tumour cells keep growing and unlike normal cells, they do not die on their own. This is what causes deadly consequences in cancer patients.
Usually, brain tumours are diagnosed after patients report symptoms such as recurrent headaches, seizures or fainting spells, cognitive problems or personality changes, loss of balance, nausea, blurred vision or numbness in the limbs. A large number of people are afflicted by brain tumours. Yet, a lot of myths continue to be associated with the disease. Let’s sift some myths from facts.
Myth: Brain tumour is a rare form of cancer.
Fact: Though not as common as breast, lung and bladder cancers, brain tumours cannot be classified as rare by any standards. According to the Central Brain Tumour Registry of the United States, the worldwide incidence of primary malignant brain and central nervous system tumours in 2012, was 3.4 per 100,000. Brain tumours are also the leading cause of cancer deaths in children. In case of young adults, brain tumour accounts for the third leading cause of death from cancer. It is therefore not appropriate to believe that brain tumours are very rare.
Myth: All brain tumour patients have similar symptoms and standard treatment.
Fact: Brain tumour occurs differently in different people. A number of factors determine the progress, prognosis as well as treatment of the tumour. The size of the tumour, its type (malignant or benign), the place in the brain where it is located are just some of the factors that determine the journey to diagnosis and treatment. Symptoms differ too. In some people, there are no symptoms and tumour is detected by a sudden seizure or fainting spell.
Yet others experience symptoms such as recurrent headaches, vomiting, blurring of vision or numbness of limbs, among others. Symptoms may also worsen over time depending upon where the tumour is located and how fast it is growing. Just as the symptoms vary from person to person, so does the treatment. Every patient is an individual case and his/her treatment has to be customised to meet his/her requirements.
Myth: Non-malignant tumours do not require chemotherapy.
Fact: In most cases, malignant tumours are the ones that require chemotherapy while the benign ones can be surgically removed relatively safely. However, some people with non-malignant tumours may require chemotherapy. The treatment protocols and processes will differ from person to person depending on several factors.
Not always are non-malignant tumours super good news, though they are non-cancerous - meaning they do not aggressively spread and invade the surrounding areas. Malignant tumours, on the other hand, are the ones that grow fast and can spread to other parts of the brain. The fast-growing tumours can spread to other parts of the central nervous system and can be deadly.
Myth: Radiation from microwaves, cellphones and laptops can cause brain tumour.
Fact: High energy radiations have been found to be responsible for mutating cells and causing cancer. However, there is no clear scientific evidence to believe that radiation from cellphones and laptops can cause brain tumour. Microwave ovens are, in fact, extremely well-insulated and the radiation waves from these devices do not travel out.
Myth: Surgical removal kills cancer once and for all.
Fact: Cancer is a very unpredictable disease. As much as nobody knows what triggers it, nobody can predict if it will come back after being removed once. This is why even when patients are declared cancer-free after the completion of the treatment phase, they have to be regularly monitored and checked for any recurrence.
(The author is neurosurgeon, Indian Spinal Injuries Centre, Delhi)