New Delhi, India

A brain tumor is the growth of abnormal cells in the brain or the area near it including nerves, pituitary gland, pineal gland, and membranes that cover the surface of the brain. Sometimes it can happen in the brain tissue as well. Brain tumours can be cancerous (malignant) or it can be non-cancerous (benign). However, both of them can be potentially life-threatening.

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On the other hand, movement disorders refer to a cluster of neurological conditions that can either cause increased movements or decreased movements. For the unversed, brain tumours that are specifically affecting the brainstem, can sometimes cause various movement disorders.

Link between brain tumour and movement disorder

The link between brain tumours and movement disorders depends on the tumour's location in the brain and its impact on the surrounding areas. If the tumour has occurred in the cerebellum, it might interfere with the motor control resulting in tremors, stiffness or difficulty with coordination. Moreover, these tumours can put pressure on the brain tissues as well, which can further worsen the movement of the body. In these conditions, the healthcare professional needs to look after both tumour-related and movement-related symptoms.

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Early Diagnosis & Treatment

Brain tumours and movement disorders are diagnosed with a physical and neurological exam. On the basis of the symptoms, the medical expert may perform blood tests, radiological investigations like MRI and/or CT scan, electromyography (to check muscle strength), electroencephalogram (to check the electrical system of the brain) etc. Moreover, a biopsy can also be done to differentiate between nerve and muscle conditions. 

Treatment for different brain tumours totally depends on the symptoms, size and location of the tumour in the brain. 

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Some of the treatment options include:

•    Microscopic brain surgery: The most common treatment for brain tumours is surgery where the cancer cells are removed without causing any damage to the healthy parts of the brain. However, the removal of cancer cells completely depends upon the location of where the tumour is located in the brain. These surgeries are usually done under microscopic and Neuronavigation guidance at dedicated neurosurgical centres

•    Awake craniotomy: It is a type of procedure performed on the brain tumour while you are awake. In this treatment, a small opening is done in your skull which allows access to the brain. However, the patient is under anaesthesia but the medical expert may ask certain questions to monitor the activities in the brain. 

•    Radiation therapy: This treatment uses powerful energy beams to kill the tumour cells in the brain. However, each beam is not much powerful but the point where the beams meet gets a large dose of radiation that eventually kills the tumor cells.  

•    Chemotherapy: Here strong medicines are used to kill the tumor cells. In this therapy, the medicines can be either taken in the form of pills or can be injected into the veins. Sometimes, the medicine is injected into the brain tissue while performing surgery. 

(Authored by Dr. Anurag Saxena, HOD and Consultant – Neurosurgery, Manipal Hospital, Dwarka)