How Long Can Brain Cancer Remain Undetected?

Brain cancer can be silent for several months, or even years, before symptoms become evident. This makes it hard to detect early on.

Did you know? According to the International Association of Cancer Registries (IARC), each year in India, more than 28,000 new brain tumor cases are reported, and over 24,000 deaths are associated with this cancer. 

These statistics reflect the risks associated with failing to diagnose cancer in a timely manner. Knowing what causes brain tumors and the early signs can mean the difference between life and death.

Understanding What Causes Brain Tumors

Doctors still do not know for certain, but there are a number of risk factors that are associated with brain tumours, including:

• Genetic changes – Mutations to DNA that cause abnormal cell growth.
• Family history – If a close relative had a brain tumor.
• Radiation exposure – People exposed to significant amounts of radiation are at a greater risk.
• Impaired immune system – People with infections and immune issues have an elevated risk.
• Age – The brain tumor age range involved in benign or malignant, is broad. However, the main groups affected are children and elderly persons.

When a person asks how a tumor is formed in the brain, the explanation is simple: abnormal cells grow uncontrollably, pressing upon the healthy brain tissue.

Brain Tumor Stages and Growth

Brain tumors fall into four group stage 1 to stage 4 brain tumors with growing aggressiveness:

• Brain tumor stage 1 symptoms: Brain tumor first stage symptoms are fatigue, mild headaches, and dizziness.
• Brain tumor stage 2: more moderate problems with balance, blurrier vision, and numbness.
• Stage 3 cancer brain tumor: More severe problems like seizures, loss of speech, and confusion.
• Brain tumor 4 stage: Highly aggressive brain tumors result in paralysis or loss of consciousness.

The first symptoms are vague and often cause many cases to go undetected until stage 2 or stage 3.

How Do You Know You Have a Brain Tumor?

So many people ask, “How do I know if I have a brain tumor?” Unfortunately, you cannot know until a medical evaluation is done. But there may be some early brain tumor symptoms to alert you:

• Hemicranial headaches are especially worse in the morning
• Seizures without a previous history
• Imbalance or frequent dizziness
• Loss of memory and mood changes
• Difficulties with vision or speech

If you have these signs, do everything quickly. Get an MRI or CT scan done.

How to Detect a Brain Tumor at Home

While a home test doesn’t exist, you can see trends:

• Maintain a symptoms diary – Document headache onset, if they go on, and how intense the headaches are.
• Track your vision and hearing changes – Blurred or double vision is a red flag.
• Be aware of possible behavioral changes – Sudden anger, depression, or confusion.
• Be cognizant of any physical changes – Frequent nausea or walking.

Quick Tip: If you have symptoms, go to a neurologist & book appointment today. Don’t only rely on home tests.

How Common Is Brain Cancer?

You might be wondering how frequent brain cancer is. In India, it is responsible for 2% of all cancers, but has a very high mortality rate due to delayed detection. Internationally, brain and nervous system cancers only represent around 1.3% of all cancers (Source: WHO).

First Symptoms of Brain Cancer

Survivors have shared how I knew if I had a brain tumor. The most common first symptoms of a brain tumor are:

• Sudden seizure in a healthy adult
• Slurred speech while talking
• Loss of vision in one eye
• Severe headaches in the morning

Because these symptoms appear trivial at first, they are often ignored until they are serious.

How Does Brain Cancer Kill You?

It’s a painful question: how does brain cancer kill you? The truth is that brain tumors invade and destroy vital neural and functional activity. They:

• Elevate pressure in the brain, failing vital organs
• Disrupt breathing and heart rate control centers
• Disseminate infection with treatment like chemotherapy
• Disturb body control in later stages

Families of patients experiencing stage 4 brain cancer final stages report end-stage brain cancer behavior such as isolating, disorientation, and loss of communication. Please visit this given blog on brain tumor surgery recovery time: stages and factors affecting healing.

Stage 4 Brain Cancer Timeline and Symptoms

The stage 4 brain cancer timeline is different for each individual. While some patients may only be alive for weeks, others may be alive for several months if treated. 

Stage 4 brain cancer symptoms may include:

• Unimaginable headaches
• Impairment of speech and recognition
• Tremendous seizures
• Bedridden condition

These patients are simply being treated with pain management, and doctors are doing whatever they can to help the patients live longer.

Is Brain Cancer Curable?

The question of whether brain cancer is curable does not have one correct answer, as the definition of cure relies on the type and stage of the tumor, as well as the health of the individual. Those who are diagnosed early and receive brain tumor surgery in India will have the best chance of being cured. 

Possible methods of treatment for brain tumors may include:

• Surgery – which will involve the removal of the bulk of the tumor
• Radiation therapy – Which will kill the remaining cancer cells
• Chemotherapy – Which comprises drugs that will slow down cellular growth
• Targeted therapy – Which uses modern medications that target certain genes found in cancerous tumors

People treated by experts, such as the top neurosurgeon in Hyderabad, have a better chance of recovery due to their expertise.

Table: Brain Tumor Stages and Symptoms

Your Health Matters

Don’t ignore warning signs like new-onset seizures or recurrent headaches. The earlier you act, the better your chances. Consult experts, particularly Dr Raveesh Sunkara, who has years of experience managing complex cases. A quick decision today could prevent potential harm tomorrow.

Take Control of Your Health Now!

Brain cancer can stay unnoticed for years, mainly because the symptoms mimic day-to-day challenges. Recognizing what causes brain tumors and their early signs can do wonders for saving lives. Medical interventions like brain tumor surgery can lend themselves to increased survival chances, but that is only if the tumor is detected on time.

If you or a loved one is experiencing unusual symptoms, visit a specialist sooner rather than later. The top medical professionals, such as Dr Raveesh Sunkara, can offer advanced treatment. Visit our website or contact us for further support and information.

FAQs