Seizures could be early indicator of brain tumour, caution doctors

A first-time seizure in adulthood should never be ignored, as it could be the earliest sign of an underlying brain tumour, warned medical specialists, urging people to seek prompt neurological evaluation when warning symptoms appear. The warning has come following the World Brain Tumour Day observed earlier in the week on June 8.

“Seizure, particularly late-onset seizure (seizures occurring for the first time in adulthood), is one of the most important early indicators of a possible brain tumour, and such cases should always be promptly investigated with imaging,” said Roopesh Kumar of MGM Healthcare. “Even a single seizure episode warrants medical evaluation, as it is often the first detectable sign of an underlying tumour.”

According to estimates from the Indian Council of Medical Research’s National Cancer Registry Programme, brain tumours account for the majority of central nervous system cancers reported across population-based registries. Outcomes remain poor in aggressive malignancies such as gliomas, making early diagnosis critical.

Diagnostic precision

Advances in technology, however, are changing the way brain tumours are diagnosed and treated. Rajiv Vijay Kumar, oncologist at Global Hospital, said improvements in imaging quality, digitalisation and neuronavigation have enhanced diagnostic precision over the past decade.

“Brain tumour is of many varieties, which can be benign and malignant,” said Shyam Agarwal, senior consultant, Medical Oncology, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital. “We have so many treatment options, including surgery and radiation, which can help control cancers for long periods and even potentially offer a cure in individuals, depending upon the tumour type.”

He added that comprehensive genome profiling and gene sequencing are becoming increasingly important in identifying patients who may benefit from targeted therapies, reflecting the growing role of precision medicine in neuro-oncology.