Early brain tumour diagnoses rise as awareness improves, say doctors

WORLD BRAIN TUMOUR DAY

Patna: Advances in awareness and medical care are driving a 30%-40% increase in the early diagnosis of brain tumours, improving treatment prospects for patients. However, delayed referrals and late imaging continue to adversely affect outcomes in aggressive cancers such as glioblastoma, doctors said ahead of World Brain Tumour Day on Monday.

Clinicians said many patients with early neurological symptoms still undergo multiple consultations before reaching neuro-oncology services, prolonging the time taken for MRI-based confirmation despite the wider availability of imaging facilities. Non-specific symptoms such as persistent headaches are often treated as stress-related or migraine-like conditions, delaying definitive investigations and diagnosis.

Estimates published in 2024 by the Indian Council of Medical Research-National Cancer Registry Programme (ICMR-NCRP), based on registry trends up to 2023-24, indicate a continuing rise in cancer incidence across India. Central nervous system (CNS) tumours account for a small but significant share of the disease burden, with brain tumours constituting the majority of CNS cases recorded across population-based registries. Mortality remains high in malignant brain tumours, particularly gliomas, where five-year survival is reported to be below 30%, highlighting gaps in early diagnosis and access to advanced treatment.

Dr Shekhar Kumar Keshri, consultant radiation oncologist at a private hospital in Patna, said patients often arrive at specialist centres after prolonged treatment based on assumptions that their symptoms are linked to less serious conditions. He cited glioblastoma multiforme, a World Health Organization (WHO) Grade IV brain tumour, as one of the most aggressive malignancies seen in the region, with median survival often ranging between eight and 12 months. Early identification is critical, he said, because late presentation significantly limits treatment options.

Dr Anupam Datta, consultant radiation oncologist at the Institute of Neurosciences, Kolkata, said patients from Assam, Nagaland and Tripura commonly spend months under ophthalmology or ENT care for headaches or visual symptoms before neurological evaluation is considered. He said MRI can accurately detect even small lesions, but the main delay occurs before imaging is recommended or accessed.

Doctors said persistent or worsening headaches accompanied by changes in vision, vomiting, imbalance or speech difficulties should prompt timely neurological evaluation and MRI, rather than repeated symptomatic treatment.