Tumours of the nervous system generally refers
to the uncontrolled and abnormal growth of cells within the brain in the form
of tumours. A brain tumour is a mass of abnormal tissue growing in any part of the
brain such as spinal cord or the nerves. For some unknown reason, some brain
cells multiply in an uncontrolled manner form these tumours. Tumours in the
brain can be either non-cancerous (benign) or cancerous (malignant). They are
further categorised into primary and secondary tumours based on their origin.
Primary tumours originate within the brain itself, while secondary tumours,
also called brain metastases, develop when cancer from another part of the body
spreads to the brain.

The human skull is a rigid structure with
limited space. As a result, when a tumour develops within the brain, it takes
up additional space, and results in growing pressure inside the skull, causing
life-threatening complications, and also damaging our brain.

This pressure can compress brain tissues,
reduce blood flow, and disrupt the normal functioning of the brain, a condition
known as Intra-Cranial Pressure (ICP). Increased intracranial pressure can lead
to impair functions such as movement, speech, vision, or memory, depending on
the tumour’s location. Similarly, it produces persistent headaches, often worse
in the morning, nausea and vomiting. The tumour triggers abnormal electrical
activity, leading to seizures.

Again, primary brain tumours are classified
into two main types, glial tumours and non-glial tumours, based on the cells or
structures from which they originate.

Glial Tumours (Gliomas)

Glial tumours are also known as gliomas,
arise from glial cells, which are non-neuronal cells that play a vital role in
supporting and maintaining the nervous system. The functions of glial cells are
surrounding and stabilising neurons in place, supplying essential nutrients and
oxygen to nerve cells, removing dead neurons and waste products. It insulates neurons
from each other to ensure proper signal transmission. Gliomas can vary in
aggressiveness and are among the most common primary brain tumours.

Malignant tumours, also known as cancers,
are highly aggressive and grow rapidly and invade surrounding brain tissue. In
some cases, they may also spread to other areas of the brain or spine. They
include High Grade Astrocytomas or gliomas, which arise from supportive
glial cells. Ependymomas, develop in the ventricles or spinal canal.
Whereas, Primitive Neuroectodermal Tumours (PNETs) are fast-growing cancers
from immature brain cells. Medulloblastomas, a common childhood tumour
forming in the cerebellum. Similarly, Lymphomas are cancers of the
lymphatic system that affect the brain; and Germ Cell Tumours, which
develop near the pineal or pituitary glands and disrupt hormonal functions.

Non-Glial Tumours

Non-glial tumours are ones that originates
in structures of the brain like blood vessels, nerves, meninges or glands. Benign
tumours grow slowly and never spread to other parts. But as they slowly
increase in size they can cause pressure on the normal brain and interfere with
mental and bodily functions. Examples include meningioma, pituitary tumours,
schwannomas, pineal gland tumours, craniopharyngiomas etc.

Meningiomas
are tumours that develop in the meninges, the protective layers surrounding the
brain and spinal cord. Pituitary tumours occur in the pituitary gland,
which plays a critical role in hormone regulation. Schwannomas affect
nerves by originating in Schwann cells, which create the protective sheath
around nerves. Pineal gland tumours arise in the pineal gland, a small
structure involved in regulating sleep-wake cycles. Craniopharyngiomas
form near the pituitary gland and hypothalamus, often disrupting hormone
regulation and vision.

Symptoms

Since the brain controls many functions of
the body, brain tumour symptoms may affect physical, sensory, or cognitive
abilities.

·
Headaches; most common symptoms of brain tumours

·
Seizures; may be the
first symptom of a brain tumour especially in those without a prior history

·
Persistent nausea and vomiting; often accompanied
by dizziness or a feeling of imbalance.

·
Cognitive and Mental Changes

·
Difficulty Walking or Balancing or Speaking or Vision

·
Loss of Consciousness

·
General fatigue; persistent feeling of tiredness
is common

·
Hormonal imbalances; due to tumours near the pituitary
gland or hypothalamus.

These symptoms do not necessarily indicate
a brain tumour, as many can be caused by other conditions. However, they should
not be ignored, particularly if they persist or worsen over time.

Cancer Syndromes and Their Symptoms

People with certain syndromes have an
inherited genetic mutation that increases their risk of developing various
types of tumours, especially in the brain, spinal cord, or nerves.

Neurofibromatosis
Type 1 (NF1)
This syndrome is caused by a mutation in the NF1
gene, located on chromosome 17. When the NF1 gene is altered, it can
lead to the formation of tumours in the nervous system. Signs include pigmented
spots on the skin (called café-au-lait spots), freckles under the arms, small
tumours on the eye’s iris, and problems with bones or blood pressure.
Sometimes, individuals may also develop leukaemia.

Neurofibromatosis
Type 2 (NF2)
This condition happens due to changes in the NF2 gene on chromosome 22.
It leads to tumours on the nerves, like schwannomas, which grow on the nerves
responsible for hearing and balance. Tumours may also form on the brain’s
covering (meningiomas) or the spinal cord (ependymomas). Other symptoms can
include cataracts (clouding of the eye lens) and harmless spots on the retina.

Tuberous Sclerosis
Tuberous sclerosis is caused by changes in
either the TSC1 gene (on chromosome 9) or the TSC2 gene (on
chromosome 16). These changes cause abnormal growths in various parts of the
body, including the brain, where tumours called subependymal giant cell
astrocytomas can develop. Other symptoms include skin abnormalities like
thickened patches or small growths, heart tumours, and kidney or lung cysts.

Li-Fraumeni
Syndrome
This rare condition results from mutations in the TP53 gene on
chromosome 17. The TP53 gene helps control cell growth, and when it
doesn’t work correctly, it can lead to tumours in many parts of the body. Brain
tumours, such as astrocytomas and glioblastomas, are common, along with cancers
in the adrenal glands, soft tissues, bones, and breast.

Turcot Syndrome
Type-1
This syndrome is linked to mutations in genes (MLH1,
PMS2, or MSH2) that are responsible for repairing damaged DNA in
cells. When these genes don’t work, it can cause tumours in the brain, such as
astrocytomas or glioblastomas. It’s also associated with a lower number of
polyps (small growths) in the colon, which may turn into colon cancer.

Turcot Syndrome Type-2
This condition is caused by mutations in the APC
gene on chromosome 5. It results in medulloblastomas, a type of aggressive
brain tumour usually found in children. People with this syndrome also have a
higher number of colon polyps, increasing their risk of colon cancer.

Naeviod Basal Cell
Carcinoma Syndrome (Gorlin Syndrome)
This syndrome is caused by mutations in the PTCH
gene on chromosome 9. It can result in medulloblastomas, a type of brain
tumour, as well as skin cancer (basal cell carcinoma). People with this
condition may also have small pits on their hands or feet, jaw cysts, or other
bone abnormalities.

Rhabdoid Tumour
Predisposition Syndrome (RTPS)
This rare condition occurs due to mutations in the INI1 gene on
chromosome 22. It often leads to a type of brain tumour called atypical
teratoid/rhabdoid tumours (AT/RT). Tumours may also form in the kidneys, and
these can be very aggressive.

Indian Scenario

In 2020, brain tumour was ranked as the
10th most common kind of tumour among Indians. The International Association of
Cancer Registries (IARC) reported that there are over 28,000 cases of brain
tumours reported in India each year and more than 24,000 people reportedly die
due to brain tumours annually. That is brain and central nervous system cancers
were reported to have an incidence rate of approximately 2.3 per 100,000
individuals in India. Certain studies found that males were more commonly
affected than females accounting 68 per cent, with the highest frequency of
brain tumours observed in the 31–40 years age group. The most common histological
types identified in this study were Glioblastoma Multiforme, followed by Grade
II and Grade III Astrocytomas.

Brain tumours account for less than 2 per
cent of the overall human cancer burden. However, they cause significant
morbidity, and for gliomas, the most common histological type of central
nervous system neoplasms, the prognosis is still poor. This applies
particularly to glioblastomas, the most common and most malignant brain tumours
in adults. Meningiomas are usually benign and are more common in women. The
brain is also a common site of metastases, most often due to carcinomas of the
breast and lung.

Risk Factors

We may say ‘smoking cause cancer’ lung
cancer linked to smoking or liver cancer associated with hepatitis, but brain
cancers lack an external cause in most cases. For the majority of brain
tumours, no clear environmental or lifestyle risk factor has been identified.

While the majority of brain cancers have no
clearly identified environmental or lifestyle risk factors, there are a few known
and potential causes.

1. Therapeutic Ionizing Radiation:
   Therapeutic radiation, especially when directed to the head and neck, is
   the only established environmental cause of brain cancer. This risk stems
   from the DNA-damaging effects of ionizing radiation, which can lead to
   genetic mutations in brain cells.
2. CT-Scan Radiation Exposure:
   Repeated exposure to diagnostic ionizing radiation, such as from CT scans,
   has been linked to a small increase in the risk of brain cancer. Studies
   estimate that up to 4 per cent of brain tumours may be attributable to
   such radiation, particularly when exposure occurs during childhood,
3. Inherited Cancer Syndromes:
   In some cases, brain tumours are linked to genetic predispositions
   associated with inherited cancer syndromes. Inherited genetic mutations
   can impair the body’s ability to regulate cell growth, repair DNA damage,
   or suppress tumour development.
4. Environmental
   Exposure to Irradiation:
   Fallout from nuclear bombing or accidents like Nagasaki and Chernobyl, has
   also been associated with an increased incidence of brain cancers.

In summary, the causes of brain cancer
primarily include therapeutic radiation and, in rare cases, inherited genetic
mutations. While diagnostic radiation and mobile phone usage remain areas of
concern, their role as causative factors is either minimal or unproven. For the
majority of brain tumours, causation remains unexplained.

Some Protective Effects

Having a history of allergic conditions
such as asthma, eczema, and hay fever is associated with a lower risk of brain
tumours. This phenomenon is often referred to as the “allergy-glioma
inverse association. It is believed that, people with allergies have distinct
inflammatory responses and cytokine profiles and they are associated with heightened
immune system activity. This may create an environment less favourable for
tumour growth.

Homoeopathy Remedies

Brain tumours can evade the immune system
due to bodily imbalance of the vital force. Homoeopathic remedy stimulates the
body’s natural vital force to correct the imbalance caused by the tumour and
restore immune system functional. Tumours create a microenvironment to suppress
immune responses, eventually allowing them to grow undetected. This is because
that tumour cells exploit natural immune checkpoints to avoid being targeted or
eliminated by immune cells. They can suppress T-Cells that fight infections and
tumours. This can be solved through homoeopathy remedy that block
tumour-induced immune suppression, enabling the immune system to detect, target
and eliminate the tumour cells. The remedy aims detoxifying the tumour
microenvironment by reducing the suppressive elements and enabling immune cells
to function ideally.

Genetic mutations are the result of
disturbances in the vital balance of the body, and homeopathic remedies aim to
restore harmony. When the balance of our body is restored it automatically
reflects in gene expression after being regulated on non-genetic factors (epigenetic).
Homoeopathic medicine stimulates the immune system to recognise tumour-specific
antigens. Even after expensive and painful allopathic treatment like surgery,
radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and targeted therapies recurrent rate and survival
rate remains a significant concern. Alternatively, homoeopathy is less
expensive, free from medicine induced adverse effect and surgical procedures.