Such tumors can start inside or outside the skull; however, tumors inside the skull are more common. They may be primary tumors that start in the base of the skull or metastatic brain tumors that spread there from cancers elsewhere in the body.
If symptoms like ongoing headaches, nose bleeding, neck pain, vision changes, hoarse voice, and hearing loss are present, seeing a doctor is a must. These are typical symptoms that resemble many other health concerns. Get expert guidance from the leading cancer specialist near Siliguri or at your nearest location.
They might be malignant (cancerous), or benign (noncancerous). While some skull base tumors may not create any symptoms at all, others do, such as neurological symptoms, like hearing or vision. The brain tissue, nerves, and blood arteries in the base of the skull may be compressed by these tumors. Here, symptoms you notice are dizziness, visual impairment, and hearing loss.
Knowing the Signs and Symptoms
Depending on the size, kind, and location of the tumor inside the skull base, symptoms of skull base tumors might vary.
The following are a few of the most typical signs of skull base tumors:
· Headaches.
· Discomfort in the neck.
· Changes in vision, such as loss of eyesight or double or blurred vision.
· Changes in hearing, such as ringing in the ears or hearing loss.
· Issues with balance and walking.
· Other coordination issues.
· Hoarse voice.
· Difficulties eating or breathing.
· Changes in smell.
· Bleeding nose.
Tumors of the skull base could not show any symptoms. Balance issues or headaches are a couple of the symptoms. Consult a physician or other healthcare provider if you are concerned about any symptoms.
Typical symptoms include:
· Long-term headaches, which are frequently localized and unresponsive to conventional pain management techniques.
· Lumps or swelling on the skull It might be tactile or apparent.
· Numbness or pain in the face, particularly if the tumor is pushing against nerves.
· Pressure on the cranial nerves can cause problems with vision or hearing.
· When the tumor affects brain function, seizures occur.
· Movement or coordination issues, if nearby brain areas are impacted.
· Changes in cognition or behavior, such as personality changes or bewilderment.
It's vital to get medical help if you or someone you know has a mix of these symptoms regularly, especially if there is no apparent reason for it. Experts are unsure what causes most of the skull base tumors. Most skull base tumors appear to grow without a definite reason. For expert assistance, meet the top cancer specialist near Siliguri.
Diagnosis
Skull cancer is often diagnosed using a combination of physical examinations and imaging studies, and the procedure often includes:
Neurological examination to evaluate nerve function and find anomalies.
Imaging tests, like MRI and CT scans, offer comprehensive images of the skull and brain regions.
Biopsy in which a sample of the tumor may be obtained to assess if it is benign or malignant, as well as to identify the cancer cells involved.
Bone scans or PET scans are used to rule out whether the cancer has spread to other bones or tissues.
Treatment Options:
Treatment for skull base cancer is determined by various criteria, including the type of tumor, its location, size, and whether it has spread. Multidisciplinary teams, including neurosurgeons, oncologists, and radiologists, work together to create patient-centric treatment strategies for optimal outcomes.
Surgery
The first course of treatment is frequently surgical removal of the tumor, particularly if it is accessible. Improvements in imaging and neurosurgery procedures have made it safer and more efficient to surgically remove tumors.
Radiation Therapy
This treatment reduces tumor size or eliminates cancer cells that remain after surgery. For skull base tumors, stereotactic radiosurgery is often a precise type of radiation.
Chemotherapy
For some malignant skull base tumors or when the illness has progressed, chemotherapy may be advised. Usually, it is used in combination with other therapies. Consult the top oncologist near Siliguri for effective skull base tumor treatment.
To effectively manage this complicated disease, early symptom detection, a precise diagnosis, and a customized treatment regimen are crucial. Seek immediate medical attention if ongoing neurological or cranial symptoms are there. See your healthcare expert, Dr. Manish Goswami.
