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The brain is frequently referred to as the human body’s command centre—a delicate, amazing organ that regulates everything from memory and movement, to emotion and creativity. When a serious illness, such as a brain tumour, affects this powerful system, it is more than a medical diagnosis. It disrupts the very core of who the individual is.
Brain tumours were once regarded as random and unexplained events. However, as medical study advances, we are discovering that the causes of many brain tumours go considerably deeper—right down to our DNA. Genetics, formerly reserved for textbooks and labs, is now critical to our knowledge of tumours, our diagnostic capabilities, and to the treatment of brain tumours.
Why should we refer to a Tumour as “Genetic”?
In clarification, not all brain tumours are inherited, or passed down through families. The majority are not. However, whether hereditary or not, all cancers begin with changes in the genetic composition of our cells. Such mutations trigger tiny alterations in our DNA that impede normal cell function and result in uncontrolled growth.
Some mutations are present at birth, while others develop over time, as a result of environmental factors, lifestyle choices, or simply the natural wear and tear of aging. In certain people, a combination of these factors creates an ideal environment for a brain tumour to grow.
In essence, genetics is about how our cells adapt and respond over time, as well as about what we inherit.
Why Genetics Matters More Than Ever
Understanding the genetics of a brain tumour is no longer only a scientific interest.It has become one of the most powerful tools in modern neuro-oncology.
When a patient is diagnosed with a brain tumour today, clinicians can consider more than just the size and location. They may look at its genetic fingerprint, which is a blueprint that predicts how the cancer will behave, how aggressive it will be, and which treatments will be most effective.
This shift has revolutionized care. What was once a one-size-fits-all approach is being replaced by personalized medicine, which dictates treatment techniques based on the genetic characteristics of each individual tumour.
Inherited risk versus acquired Mutations.
It is crucial to differentiate between hereditary risk and acquired mutations. Some people are born with DNA mutations that increase their likelihood of developing tumours; and these mutations could be the result of a well-known genetic disorder. While rare, they cases highlight the significance of increasing awareness, especially in families where brain tumours have appeared multiple times.
Typically, genetic changes occur across a person’s lifetime. These are acquired rather than inherited, and can be triggered by a number of biological, lifestyle, and environmental variables.
This means that even people with no family history of brain tumours can develop them, and their tumours may contain genetic changes that affect how they respond to treatment.
The Promise of Precision Medicine
In recent years, the medical profession has adopted a more refined, targeted approach to treating cancers, including those in the brain. Precision medicine is a genetically determined approach.
Analyzing a tumour’s genetic structure enables doctors to predict its growth and spread, target specific mutations, avoid ineffective treatments, and track the tumour throughout.
Major hospitals are already incorporating molecular profiling into their cancer care routines, providing patients with previously unattainable insights.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Brain Tumour Care
Genetics will become more relevant as time passes. Every day, new discoveries are being made about the origin of brain tumours, why they resist treatment, and how they can be prevented. Gene editing technologies, personalized immunizations, and even drugs that “switch off” harmful genes are also being researched.
For patients, this means new hope. It implies that access to better, more tailored treatment is no longer a pipe dream; it has become a reality.However, the future is dependent on perceptiveness.It will bank on asking the right questions, encouraging open communication, and debunking myths about genetic testing.
Brain tumours are among the most challenging medical illnesses to treat, but genetics is helping to change the script.What was once unpredictable and overwhelming, is now something we can understand, manage, and treat more precisely.
By Dr. Chirag Panchal, Consultant- Neuro Onco Surgery, HCG Aastha Cancer Centre, Ahmedabad
