Brain tumour can manifest as depression, personality changes

Studies indicate that around 2 per cent of all cancers affecting humans are related to the brain. Among recognised brain tumours, there are around 130 types, yet not all of them are cancerous. 

In fact, some kinds of brain tumours can exist asymptomatically in the body for a long period. They may or may not be diagnosed incidentally. Brain tumours that grow out of the pituitary gland, which hangs at the base of the brain, can cause hormonal problems.

Every year, World Brain Tumour Day is observed on June 8 to raise awareness about the condition. 

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Essentially, a brain tumour is an abnormal cell growth or mass in the brain. While some can be malignant and lethal, quite a number of them can be benign or non-cancerous. 

Brain tumours come in different sizes and shapes, and their signs and symptoms can differ. The size, location and the pace of development of the tumour often decides the symptoms that manifest. Among the common symptoms of brain tumour are severe headaches, nausea, vomiting and blurry vision. Speech and hearing difficulties are not uncommon either.

Psychiatric manifestations 

While psychiatric manifestations of brain tumours are rare as initial symptoms, they could sometimes be the only manifestation, say medical experts.

Media reports say brain tumours may lead to anxiety, apathy, acute psychosis, personality changes, memory lapses, mood fluctuations and anorexia.  Depression is a highly common symptom of brain tumour, seen in 44 per cent of patients.

While psychiatric symptoms of brain tumours have been registered in up to 78 per cent of patients, just 18 per cent have these as their first clinical manifestation. 

Hence, while headaches, nausea and other physical symptoms may raise alarm, those undergoing sudden emotional or mental changes also need to consider brain tumour, according to neuro physicians.