Brain Tumors

Benign Brain Tumors

• Benign (non-cancerous) brain and spinal tumors often stay in one place and don’t spread. These include:
• Schwannoma (also known as vestibular or acoustic neuroma) — benign tumors of the hearing nerve.
• Chordoma — a benign tumor that forms at either the base of the skull or the end of the spine.
• Pituitary adenoma — a benign, slow-growing tumor arising from the pituitary gland.

Malignant Brain Tumors

• Common malignant brain tumors include:
• Gliomas — malignant tumors that arise in the supportive tissue of the brain (astrocytoma, glioblastoma, oligodendroglioma).
• Meningiomas — tumors forming from the protective lining of the brain cavity (can be benign or malignant).
• Secondary brain tumors (metastases) — cancers that have spread from other organs such as lung, breast, skin (melanoma) or lymphoma.
• Neurological complications such as headache, seizures, or cognitive changes may result from tumor growth or treatment.

Brain Tumor Diagnosis

Your initial visit includes a neurological evaluation and review of any imaging you already have. Additional tests — MRI, CT angiography, MR spectroscopy, PET/CT, or cerebrospinal fluid analysis — may be ordered to characterise the tumor and plan treatment. Early, precise diagnosis by a specialised brain surgery hospital team improves outcomes.

Brain tumor treatment depends on tumor type, size, location, and the patient’s overall health. Our neuro-oncology and neurosurgery teams work together to create personalised plans that may include:

Surgery

Surgery is often used to remove tumors and obtain tissue for diagnosis. Our neurosurgeons perform both open and minimally invasive procedures, aiming to maximise tumor removal while preserving neurological function.

Radiation

Radiation therapy uses high-energy rays to destroy tumor cells. Options available include:

• CyberKnife — a non-invasive radiosurgery system that delivers precise, high-dose radiation to hard-to-reach tumors with minimal exposure to nearby healthy tissue.
• Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) — tailored fractionated radiation ideal for larger or critically located tumors to reduce side effects.
• Whole brain radiation — used primarily for multiple metastatic lesions to reduce recurrence risk and treat undetectable microscopic disease.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy uses drugs to target cancer cells. Depending on the tumor, your neuro-oncology specialist may recommend systemic chemotherapy, intraventricular delivery, or combination regimens alongside radiation. Treatment plans are coordinated by our neuro-oncologists and supportive care teams to manage side effects and maximise quality of life.

At Nano Hospitals, our multidisciplinary tumour board — including neurosurgery, neuro-oncology, neuroradiology, radiation oncology and rehabilitation specialists — meets regularly to ensure each patient receives evidence-based, personalised care. If you need evaluation or a second opinion for a suspected brain tumor, contact our neuro specialists at Nano Hospitals Hulimavu and Nano Hospitals Uttarahalli in Bengaluru for prompt assessment and access to advanced treatment options.