World Brain Day 2026: 7 Warning Signs of a Brain Tumour You Should Never Ignore

A persistent headache is usually not the first thing people connect with a brain tumour. Most people assume it is due to stress, dehydration, eye strain, migraine, or poor sleep, and in most cases, they are right. But when symptoms are new, persistent, worsening, or unusual for the person, they should not be ignored.

While brain tumours are not among the most common cancers in India, they can have serious consequences because of where they develop. A tumour inside the skull can press on or affect parts of the brain that control movement, speech, vision, memory, behaviour, balance, and consciousness. This is why symptoms such as repeated headaches, new seizures, vision changes, weakness on one side of the body, difficulty speaking, or unexplained personality changes need timely medical attention.

World Brain Day 2026 is a timely reminder to pay closer attention to brain health and not dismiss symptoms that persist, progress, or feel unusual. In this blog, we’ll discuss seven warning signs of a brain tumour, why these symptoms occur, when to consult a neurologist or neurosurgeon, and how early diagnosis can support better treatment planning.

What is World Brain Day?

World Brain Day is a global health awareness day observed every year on 22 July. It is organised by the World Federation of Neurology, WFN, to raise awareness about brain health and improve access to care for people living with neurological conditions.

World Brain Day was first observed in 2014. The date, 22 July, was chosen because the WFN was founded on the same date in 1957. Since then, the campaign has brought together neurologists, hospitals, patient groups, public health organisations, and communities to talk about different aspects of brain health each year.

For 2026, the theme is “Brain Health: Access for All”. The theme highlights a major global concern: more than 3.4 billion people live with neurological conditions, yet many still face barriers such as cost, lack of specialists, long waiting times, stigma, and limited access to care. The campaign focuses on five key messages: 

• Brain health matters for everyone, at every age.
• Timely diagnosis and treatment can improve outcomes.
• Everyday habits can help protect brain health.
• Brain care should be easier to access, closer to home.
• Awareness should lead to action, especially when symptoms are new, persistent, or worsening.

In the context of brain tumours, this message is especially important. A persistent headache, a new seizure, sudden vision changes, weakness, speech difficulty, balance problems, or unusual behaviour changes may be dismissed as stress or routine health issues. World Brain Day is a reminder that symptoms affecting the brain should be taken seriously, especially when they are new, persistent, or worsening. Timely evaluation by a neurologist or neurosurgeon can help patients get the right diagnosis and treatment plan without unnecessary delay.

What is a Brain Tumour?

A brain tumour is an abnormal growth of cells in the brain or in the nearby tissues, such as the meninges, nerves, or blood vessels. Brain tumours can be benign, meaning non-cancerous, or malignant, meaning cancerous.

A benign brain tumour does not usually spread to other parts of the body, but it can still be serious. This is because the skull is a closed space. As a tumour grows, it can press on nearby brain tissue, nerves, or blood vessels and affect important functions such as movement, speech, vision, memory, balance, behaviour, or consciousness.

Primary and Secondary Brain Tumours

Brain tumours are broadly classified as primary or secondary.

A primary brain tumour starts in the brain or in the tissues close to it, such as the meninges, cranial nerves, or blood vessels. A secondary brain tumour, also called a brain metastasis, occurs when cancer from another part of the body spreads to the brain through the bloodstream. Cancers that may spread to the brain include lung, breast, colon, kidney, and skin cancer.

Secondary brain tumours are more common than primary brain tumours in adults and are treated differently because they are part of a cancer that began elsewhere in the body.

Benign and Malignant Brain Tumours

Brain tumours are graded based on how abnormal the tumour cells look under a microscope and how quickly they are likely to grow. Grade 1 and Grade 2 tumours are generally considered low-grade and tend to grow more slowly. Grade 3 and Grade 4 tumours are high-grade and are more likely to grow quickly and invade nearby brain tissue.

Glioblastoma, also called GBM, is an example of a Grade 4 brain tumour. It is aggressive and fast-growing, which makes timely diagnosis and specialist treatment especially important.

Why Brain Tumour Symptoms Can Vary

Brain tumour symptoms vary because different parts of the brain control different functions. A tumour in one area may affect speech, while a tumour in another area may affect vision, movement, memory, balance, or behaviour.

For example, a tumour in the frontal lobe may cause changes in personality, judgement, or planning. A tumour near the visual pathway may cause blurred vision, double vision, or loss of part of the visual field. A tumour near the speech area may cause difficulty finding words or understanding language.

This is why two people with brain tumours can have very different symptoms. It is also why symptoms may be mistaken for more common problems such as migraine, stress, eye strain, ageing, or fatigue. New, persistent, worsening, or unusual neurological symptoms should always be evaluated by a specialist.

7 Warning Signs of a Brain Tumour You Should Never Ignore

The symptoms listed below do not always mean a person has a brain tumour. Each of them can have many other, more common causes. What matters is the pattern: whether the symptom is new, persistent, worsening, unusual for the person, or occurring along with other neurological symptoms.

When symptoms do not feel like a person’s usual health pattern, it is better to get them medically evaluated rather than wait and assume they will pass. Warning signs to watch for include: 

1. Persistent or Worsening Headaches

Headaches are common and are usually caused by conditions such as stress, migraine, dehydration, eye strain, sinus problems, or lack of sleep. However, a headache needs medical attention if it is new, keeps coming back, worsens over time, or feels different from the person’s usual headaches.

A brain tumour-related headache may be more noticeable in the morning, may wake a person from sleep, may worsen when lying down, coughing, or straining, and may not respond well to usual pain-relief medicines. It may also occur along with nausea, vomiting, blurred vision, weakness, or other neurological symptoms.

A single occasional headache is usually not a cause for panic. But a changing headache pattern, especially in someone with no previous history of significant headaches, should be assessed by a doctor.

2. Seizures with No Prior History

A first-time seizure in an adult should always be taken seriously. A seizure may appear as full-body shaking and loss of consciousness, but it can also be more subtle.

Some people may experience sudden jerking of one arm or leg, a brief episode of staring blankly, unusual sensations, strange smells or tastes, visual disturbances, or a short period of confusion or altered awareness. These may be focal seizures.

Any first seizure in an adult needs urgent medical evaluation, including neurological assessment and brain imaging when advised.

3. Vision or Hearing Changes

Unexplained changes in vision can sometimes occur when a tumour affects the visual pathways, optic nerve, or parts of the brain involved in vision. Warning signs may include blurred vision, double vision, loss of vision in one part of the visual field, or new visual disturbances.

Hearing-related symptoms can also be important. Unexplained hearing loss, ringing in the ear, imbalance, or a feeling of fullness in the ear without a clear ear infection or wax problem may need evaluation. In some cases, these symptoms may be linked to a vestibular schwannoma, also known as acoustic neuroma, which is usually a non-cancerous tumour of the nerve involved in hearing and balance.

Not every vision or hearing change is due to a brain tumour, but symptoms that are sudden, persistent, progressive, or unexplained should not be ignored.

4. Memory, Thinking, or Personality Changes

A brain tumour affecting areas such as the frontal or temporal lobes can sometimes cause changes in memory, thinking, behaviour, or personality. These symptoms may be easy to blame on stress, ageing, poor sleep, or mood problems.

Possible warning signs include difficulty concentrating, short-term memory problems, trouble finding words, confusion, reduced judgement, mood changes, irritability, emotional outbursts, or personality changes noticed by family members.

These changes are especially important when they are new, progressive, or developing over weeks to months. Any unexplained change in thinking, behaviour, or personality should be discussed with a neurologist.

5. Weakness, Numbness, or Balance Problems

Weakness in an arm or leg, especially on one side of the body, may occur when a tumour affects areas of the brain that control movement. Similarly, persistent numbness, tingling, clumsiness, poor coordination, or balance problems may occur when sensory or movement pathways are affected.

This warning sign is more concerning when the weakness or numbness gradually worsens, affects daily activities, or appears with headaches, seizures, speech problems, or vision changes.

Sudden weakness or numbness on one side of the body can also be a sign of stroke. If it starts suddenly, especially within seconds or minutes, it should be treated as a medical emergency.

6. Speech and Language Difficulties

New difficulty speaking, finding the right words, understanding what others are saying, or forming sentences clearly can be a warning sign of a problem in the areas of the brain involved in language. Slurred speech without an obvious cause should also be evaluated.

These symptoms can occur with brain tumours, but they can also occur with stroke and other serious neurological conditions. Any sudden speech difficulty should be treated as an emergency. If speech problems are gradual but persistent or worsening, a specialist evaluation is still important.

7. Nausea and Vomiting Without a Digestive Cause

Nausea and vomiting are usually related to digestive problems, infections, food-related issues, pregnancy, medicines, or migraine. However, persistent nausea or vomiting without a clear digestive cause needs attention, especially when it occurs with headaches, vision changes, drowsiness, balance problems, or weakness.

In some brain tumours, nausea and vomiting may occur because of increased pressure inside the skull. It may be more noticeable in the morning or may not improve with usual digestive remedies.

When to Seek Emergency Care

Seek emergency medical care immediately if any of the following occur:

• A first-ever seizure
• Sudden severe headache, especially if described as the worst headache of the person’s life
• Sudden weakness or numbness on one side of the body
• Sudden difficulty speaking or understanding speech
• Sudden loss of vision or double vision
• Rapid confusion, drowsiness, loss of consciousness, or a sudden change in behaviour

These symptoms may be due to a stroke, bleeding, raised pressure inside the skull, or another serious neurological emergency. Do not wait for a routine appointment in these situations.

Brain Tumour Warning Signs vs Common Conditions

Many brain tumour symptoms can look similar to common health problems such as migraine, tension headache, stress, ageing, depression, fainting, or eye and ear issues. This is one reason brain tumour symptoms can be missed in the early stages.

The key difference is usually not one symptom alone, but the pattern. Symptoms that are new, persistent, worsening, unusual for the person, or occurring with other neurological signs should be medically evaluated.

Brain Tumour Headache vs Tension Headache vs Migraine

A tension headache often feels like a tight band or pressure around the head. It is usually mild to moderate, may affect both sides of the head, and may improve with rest, hydration, stress relief, or common pain-relief medicines.

A migraine is usually more intense. It may cause throbbing or pulsing pain, often on one side of the head, and may come with nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light or sound. Some people also experience an aura, such as flashing lights or visual changes, before the headache begins.

A headache linked to a brain tumour may behave differently. It may be new, progressively worsening, more noticeable in the morning, worse when lying down, coughing, bending, or straining, or less responsive to usual medicines. It may also occur with nausea, vomiting, vision changes, seizures, weakness, confusion, or speech problems.

Seek medical evaluation if a headache is new and worsening, wakes a person from sleep, is present repeatedly on waking, feels very different from previous headaches, or is accompanied by any neurological symptom.

Brain Tumour Memory Changes vs Normal Ageing vs Depression

Normal ageing can cause mild forgetfulness, such as taking longer to recall a name or misplacing things occasionally. These changes are usually gradual and do not rapidly interfere with everyday functioning.

Depression can also affect thinking. It may cause poor concentration, slower thinking, low motivation, sleep changes, loss of interest, and a feeling of mental fog. In such cases, memory complaints often occur along with changes in mood and energy.

Brain tumour-related memory or thinking changes may progress over weeks to months. They may include increasing confusion, trouble finding words, personality changes, poor judgement, difficulty completing familiar tasks, or behaviour changes noticed by family members.

A new or worsening change in memory, personality, language, judgement, or daily functioning should not be dismissed as stress or ageing without medical evaluation.

Tumour-Related Seizure vs Fainting

Fainting, also called syncope, is usually a brief loss of consciousness caused by reduced blood flow to the brain. It may happen after standing for a long time, standing up suddenly, dehydration, pain, emotional distress, or seeing blood. A person may feel light-headed, sweaty, pale, or nauseous before fainting and often recovers quickly.

A seizure is caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain. It may involve full-body shaking, stiffness, jerking of one part of the body, staring spells, unusual smells or tastes, sudden fear, visual symptoms, altered awareness, or confusion. After a seizure, the person may remain confused, sleepy, weak, or exhausted for minutes to hours.

Any first-time seizure in an adult needs urgent medical evaluation. An episode is more concerning for seizure if there are convulsive movements, tongue biting, loss of bladder or bowel control, prolonged confusion, or no clear fainting trigger.

The Bottom Line

Most headaches, memory lapses, and fainting episodes are not caused by brain tumours. However, symptoms that are new, progressive, unexplained, or associated with seizures, weakness, speech problems, vision changes, vomiting, confusion, or personality changes should be assessed by a neurologist or neurosurgeon.

What Causes Brain Tumours and Who is at Risk?

For most brain tumours, no single cause is found. Unlike several common cancers, brain tumours are not strongly linked to everyday lifestyle factors such as diet, smoking, or alcohol use. In many cases, they occur without a clear reason. However, some factors are known to increase the risk.

Ionising Radiation

Previous exposure to ionising radiation is one of the clearest known risk factors for brain and central nervous system tumours. This risk is mainly linked to past radiotherapy to the head or brain, especially when given during childhood. This is why people who have received radiation treatment to the head may need long-term follow-up.

Routine medical imaging such as X-rays and CT scans uses much lower doses, and doctors recommend these tests only when the expected benefit is greater than the small radiation risk.

Genetic Syndromes

A small proportion of brain tumours are linked to inherited genetic conditions. These conditions can increase the risk of specific brain, spinal cord, or nerve tumours.

Examples include neurofibromatosis type 1 and type 2, Li-Fraumeni syndrome, Von Hippel-Lindau disease, Turcot syndrome, Gorlin syndrome, and tuberous sclerosis. People with a strong family history of brain tumours or multiple cancers in the family may benefit from genetic counselling.

At RGCIRC, genetic counselling and specialist evaluation are available for patients and families with relevant personal or family histories.

Age

Brain tumours can occur at any age, from infancy to older adulthood. However, different tumour types are more common at different ages. Some tumours, such as medulloblastoma and pilocytic astrocytoma, are more commonly seen in children. Glioblastoma is more common in older adults, while meningiomas are more often diagnosed in middle-aged and older adults.

Age alone does not mean a person will develop a brain tumour, but it can influence which tumour types doctors consider during evaluation.

Family History

Most brain tumours are sporadic, meaning they occur without a known inherited cause. However, having a close relative, such as a parent, sibling, or child, with a brain tumour may slightly increase risk, particularly when there is a known hereditary syndrome in the family.

A family history of one brain tumour does not automatically mean other family members will develop one. But if there are multiple affected relatives, early-age cancers, or known genetic conditions, medical advice and genetic counselling may be helpful.

Weakened Immune System

People with a severely weakened immune system may have a higher risk of primary central nervous system lymphoma, a rare type of cancer that can affect the brain or spinal cord. This may include people with certain immune disorders, HIV/AIDS, organ transplant history, or long-term use of immune-suppressing medicines.

Mobile Phones and Brain Tumours: What Does the Evidence Say?

This is one of the most common questions people ask. Current evidence does not show a confirmed link between mobile phone use and brain tumours.

Mobile phones emit radiofrequency radiation, which is a type of non-ionising radiation. Unlike ionising radiation, such as X-rays or radiotherapy, radiofrequency radiation does not have enough energy to directly damage DNA. Large studies, including the INTERPHONE study, the Danish cohort study, the Million Women Study, and COSMOS, have not shown a consistent association between mobile phone use and brain tumours.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer, IARC, classifies radiofrequency electromagnetic fields as “possibly carcinogenic to humans”, Group 2B. This does not mean mobile phones are proven to cause brain tumours. It means that earlier evidence was limited and uncertainty remained. More recent reviews have also not found a clear increase in brain cancer risk with mobile phone use.

For people who remain concerned, simple steps such as using speaker mode, wired earphones, or hands-free devices can reduce direct exposure near the head. However, based on current evidence, mobile phone use should not be presented as a proven cause of brain tumours.

How is a Brain Tumour Diagnosed?

Diagnosing a brain tumour usually involves a step-by-step evaluation. A doctor will first assess the patient’s symptoms and neurological function, followed by brain imaging. In many cases, a tissue sample is needed to confirm the exact tumour type and guide treatment.

At RGCIRC, the diagnostic workup is coordinated by the Neuro and Spine Oncology team and supported by advanced imaging, pathology, molecular testing, and multidisciplinary treatment planning.

Neurological Examination

The diagnostic process usually begins with a detailed neurological examination. The doctor may check memory, speech, vision, eye movements, facial movements, hearing, balance, coordination, reflexes, muscle strength, sensation, and overall alertness.

These findings help doctors understand which part of the brain may be affected and decide which imaging tests are needed.

MRI Brain

MRI is the preferred imaging test for suspected brain tumours because it provides detailed images of the brain and surrounding structures. It helps doctors assess the tumour’s location, size, pattern of growth, swelling around the tumour, and relationship to important areas of the brain.

Advanced MRI techniques may also be used in selected cases. These may include diffusion-weighted imaging, perfusion imaging, and MR spectroscopy. Such techniques can provide additional information about tumour behaviour and may help doctors distinguish a tumour from other conditions, such as infection, abscess, inflammation, or demyelinating disease.

At RGCIRC, MRI imaging with DICOM image transfer capability supports accurate review and treatment planning.

CT Brain

A CT scan may be used when a rapid assessment is needed, such as in patients who present with sudden severe headache, seizure, weakness, altered consciousness, or other emergency symptoms. CT can help detect bleeding, swelling, calcification, hydrocephalus, or pressure-related changes.

CT may also be used when MRI is not possible, such as in some patients with certain implants, devices, or medical conditions.

PET-CT

PET-CT is not required for every brain tumour patient, but it may be useful in selected cases. It can help assess tumour activity, evaluate suspected recurrence after treatment, and distinguish active tumour from treatment-related changes after radiation in some situations.

PET-CT may also be advised when doctors suspect that a brain tumour is a metastasis, meaning cancer that has spread to the brain from another part of the body. In such cases, PET-CT can help evaluate the rest of the body.

Biopsy and Molecular Profiling

A definitive diagnosis usually requires examination of tumour tissue under a microscope. Tissue may be obtained during surgery or through a biopsy, depending on the tumour’s location, size, symptoms, and whether safe removal is possible.

At RGCIRC, biopsies may be performed using frameless stereotactic techniques guided by intraoperative navigation. This computer-assisted approach helps the surgical team target deep or sensitive brain lesions with precision while reducing injury to surrounding brain tissue.

Once tissue is obtained, pathologists examine it to identify the tumour type and grade. Modern brain tumour diagnosis also includes molecular profiling, which looks for specific genetic and molecular features of the tumour. These may include IDH mutation status, MGMT promoter methylation, 1p/19q codeletion, and EGFR amplification, depending on the suspected tumour type.

These results are important because they can influence the diagnosis, prognosis, treatment choices, and expected response to therapy. Brain tumour classification is now based not only on how the tumour looks under the microscope, but also on its molecular features, as reflected in the 2021 WHO Classification of Central Nervous System Tumours.

How Are Brain Tumours Treated?

Brain tumour treatment depends on the tumour type, grade, size, location, molecular profile, symptoms, and whether it is a primary tumour or a metastasis from another cancer. The patient’s age, overall health, neurological function, and treatment goals are also considered.

At RGCIRC, brain tumour cases are reviewed through a multidisciplinary neuro-oncology approach, where neurosurgeons, neurologists, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, radiologists, pathologists, rehabilitation experts, and supportive care teams work together to plan treatment.

Surgery

Surgery is often the first major treatment for many brain tumours, especially when the tumour can be safely removed. The aim is usually maximal safe resection, which means removing as much tumour as possible while protecting important brain functions such as speech, movement, vision, memory, and balance.

RGCIRC’s Neuro and Spine Oncology department is led by Dr I.C. Premsagar, Chief of Neuro & Spine Oncology Services. The department manages a wide range of brain and spine tumours using advanced surgical planning and intraoperative technologies.

Craniotomy: Craniotomy is a common surgical approach in which a small section of the skull is opened to access and remove the tumour. At RGCIRC, brain tumour surgery may be supported by neuro-navigation, brain mapping, intraoperative monitoring, intraoperative ultrasound, and other image-guided techniques to improve precision and help protect healthy brain tissue.

Awake Craniotomy: Awake craniotomy may be used for tumours located close to eloquent brain areas, which are regions responsible for important functions such as speech, language, or movement. During part of the surgery, the patient may be kept awake and asked to perform simple tasks so the surgical team can monitor brain function in real time and reduce the risk of neurological damage.

Transsphenoidal Endoscopic Surgery: For selected pituitary and adjoining brain tumours, surgery may be performed through the nose using an endoscope. This minimally invasive approach avoids an external incision and is used when the tumour’s location makes this route suitable.

Endoscopic Brain Surgery: In selected cases, such as some intraventricular tumours located within the brain’s fluid-filled spaces, surgeons may use an endoscope passed through a small opening. This can offer a less invasive option compared with open surgery in carefully chosen patients.

Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy is an important part of treatment for many brain tumours. It may be advised after surgery to destroy remaining tumour cells, used as the main treatment when surgery is not possible, or used to control symptoms in advanced disease.

Stereotactic Radiosurgery: Stereotactic radiosurgery, or SRS, delivers highly focused radiation to a defined target in the brain. Despite the word “surgery,” it does not involve an incision. RGCIRC offers CyberKnife-based stereotactic radiosurgery for selected brain tumours and brain metastases, helping target the tumour while reducing radiation exposure to surrounding healthy tissue.

Gamma Knife Radiosurgery: Gamma Knife is another form of stereotactic radiosurgery used for selected intracranial tumours and lesions. Whether CyberKnife, Gamma Knife, or another radiation technique is suitable depends on the tumour type, size, number, location, previous treatment, and the radiation oncologist’s assessment.

Conventional Radiotherapy and IMRT: Larger tumours, tumours with irregular shapes, or cases that need treatment over a broader area may require fractionated radiotherapy over several sessions. Techniques such as IMRT help shape the radiation dose more precisely around the tumour while limiting exposure to nearby healthy tissue as much as possible.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy uses medicines to kill cancer cells or slow their growth. The chemotherapy plan depends on the tumour type and grade.

For glioblastoma and some other high-grade gliomas, temozolomide is commonly used along with radiation and may be continued afterward as maintenance therapy. Other chemotherapy regimens may be used for specific tumour types such as medulloblastoma, central nervous system lymphoma, germ cell tumours, and selected recurrent or metastatic tumours.

At RGCIRC, systemic treatment is planned as part of the integrated neuro-oncology programme, based on the tumour diagnosis, molecular profile, previous treatment, and the patient’s overall condition.

Targeted Therapy and Immunotherapy

Modern brain tumour treatment increasingly uses molecular testing to identify changes that may influence treatment. These tests may look for markers such as IDH mutation status, MGMT promoter methylation, 1p/19q codeletion, EGFR amplification, NTRK fusions, BRAF mutations, or other alterations, depending on the suspected tumour type.

Targeted therapies may be considered in selected patients when an actionable mutation is found. For example, IDH-targeted therapy has become an important development for selected IDH-mutant gliomas in some settings. Bevacizumab may be used in recurrent glioblastoma or for tumour-related swelling in selected cases. Immunotherapy, including checkpoint inhibitors, may be considered in specific tumour types or clinical scenarios, but it is not suitable for every brain tumour.

The role of targeted therapy or immunotherapy is decided case by case, based on tumour biology, available evidence, drug availability, and the patient’s treatment goals.

Steroid and Anti-Seizure Medicines

Supportive medicines are often an important part of brain tumour care.

Steroids: Corticosteroids, most commonly dexamethasone, may be used to reduce swelling around the tumour. This can help relieve symptoms such as headache, vomiting, weakness, drowsiness, or other pressure-related neurological problems. Steroids are usually used under close medical supervision because they can have side effects, especially with long-term use.

Anti-Seizure Medicines: Anti-seizure medicines are prescribed for patients who have had seizures. They may also be used around the time of surgery in selected cases, depending on the surgeon’s assessment and the patient’s risk profile. However, routine long-term preventive use in patients who have never had a seizure is not recommended for everyone and should be individualised.

Rehabilitation and Supportive Care

Brain tumour treatment does not end with surgery, radiation, or medicines. Many patients need rehabilitation and supportive care to regain strength, speech, balance, memory, mobility, and independence.

Rehabilitation may include physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, nutrition support, pain management, counselling, and palliative care when needed. This helps patients and families manage both the physical and emotional impact of diagnosis and treatment.

Why Choose RGCIRC for Brain Tumour Treatment?

Brain tumour treatment requires a high level of expertise because even small differences in tumour location can affect important functions such as movement, speech, vision, memory, balance, and consciousness. The goal is not only to treat the tumour, but also to preserve neurological function and support the patient’s quality of life.

At RGCIRC, brain and spine tumour care is delivered through a specialised Neuro and Spine Oncology programme, supported by experienced surgeons, advanced technology, precision radiotherapy, multidisciplinary planning, and long-term supportive care.

Expert Neuro and Spine Oncology Team

RGCIRC’s Neuro and Spine Oncology services are led by Dr I.C. Premsagar, Chief of Neuro & Spine Oncology Services, with more than 40 years of experience in brain and spine oncosurgery. His areas of expertise include awake craniotomy, transsphenoidal endoscopic surgery for pituitary tumours, endoscopic surgery for intraventricular tumours, stereotactic surgery, and complex brain and spine tumour procedures.

The team manages a wide range of brain tumours, spinal tumours, and peripheral nerve sheath tumours, with treatment planned according to the tumour type, location, grade, symptoms, and the patient’s overall health.

Advanced Surgical Planning and Intraoperative Technology

Brain tumour surgery at RGCIRC is supported by advanced technologies that help improve precision during surgery. These include Stealth neuronavigation, intraoperative neuromonitoring, intraoperative ultrasound, O-arm imaging, stereotactic surgery systems, and intraoperative MRI in selected cases.

These tools help the surgical team localise the tumour more accurately, plan the safest route, monitor important nerve and brain functions, and remove as much tumour as safely possible while protecting surrounding healthy brain tissue.

Precision Radiation and Radiosurgery Options

Radiation therapy is an important part of treatment for many brain tumours, either after surgery, when surgery is not possible, or for selected recurrent or metastatic tumours.

RGCIRC offers advanced radiation technologies, including CyberKnife-based stereotactic radiosurgery, Gamma Knife radiosurgery for selected intracranial targets, TrueBeam-based precision radiotherapy, IMRT, and other image-guided radiation techniques. These approaches allow radiation oncologists to target the tumour carefully while reducing exposure to nearby healthy tissues as much as possible.

Paediatric Brain Tumour Care

Brain tumours in children require specialised expertise because the child’s developing brain, growth, learning, and long-term quality of life must all be considered. RGCIRC provides care for paediatric brain tumours such as medulloblastoma, ependymoma, pilocytic astrocytoma, craniopharyngioma, and other childhood CNS tumours.

Treatment may include surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, rehabilitation, and long-term follow-up, depending on the tumour type and the child’s needs.

Multidisciplinary Neuro-Oncology Planning

Brain tumour treatment often requires more than one specialist. At RGCIRC, cases are reviewed through a multidisciplinary tumour board approach, bringing together neurosurgeons, neurologists, radiation oncologists, medical oncologists, radiologists, pathologists, molecular pathologists, rehabilitation experts, and supportive care teams.

This collaborative approach helps ensure that each patient receives an evidence-based, personalised treatment plan with the right sequence of surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, rehabilitation, and follow-up care.

Accreditation and Recognised Excellence

RGCIRC is accredited by NABH and NABL, reflecting recognised standards in hospital care, laboratory services, and diagnostic quality. The institute has also been recognised among Newsweek’s World’s Best Specialised Hospitals in 2024 and 2025, ranked No. 1 in North India among single-specialty hospitals by The Times of India in 2025, and awarded Best Oncology Hospital of the Year 2026 at the 7th Cancer Summit Awards organised by IHW Council.

Commitment to Accessible Cancer Care

RGCIRC is a not-for-profit cancer care institution. Through its philanthropy and outreach initiatives, the hospital works to extend financial support, subsidised care, and cancer screening access to patients who need assistance. This commitment helps make specialised oncology care accessible to a wider group of patients and families.

Final Words

World Brain Day 2026 is a reminder that brain health should not be ignored until symptoms become severe. Access to care begins with awareness, and knowing the warning signs of a brain tumour can help patients and families seek timely medical advice instead of dismissing symptoms as stress, fatigue, migraine, or ageing.

If you or someone you care about is experiencing persistent or worsening headaches, a first-ever seizure, unexplained memory or personality changes, weakness or numbness on one side of the body, vision or speech problems, balance issues, or persistent nausea and vomiting without a clear digestive cause, do not ignore it. These symptoms do not always mean a brain tumour, but they do need medical evaluation, especially when they are new, progressive, or occur together.

Early diagnosis can help doctors plan treatment more effectively and may improve the chances of preserving important brain functions such as movement, speech, vision, memory, and balance. Timely specialist evaluation by a neurologist or neurosurgeon can make a meaningful difference in understanding the cause of symptoms and deciding the next steps.

To book a consultation at RGCIRC, visit www.rgcirc.org, book online at care.rgcirc.org, or download the RGCI Care app on iOS and Android. You can also call +91-11-4702 2222 for Rohini or +91-11-4582 2222 for Niti Bagh, South Delhi.

OPD hours are Monday to Saturday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Emergency services are available 24×7 at both campuses.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is World Brain Day and when is it observed?

World Brain Day is a global awareness day observed every year on 22 July. It is organised by the World Federation of Neurology, WFN, to raise awareness about brain health and improve access to care for people living with neurological conditions.

World Brain Day was first observed in 2014, and the 2026 theme is “Brain Health: Access for All”.

What are the first signs of a brain tumour?

The first signs of a brain tumour can vary depending on where the tumour is located in the brain. Some common warning signs include persistent or worsening headaches, a first-time seizure in an adult, vision or hearing changes, memory or personality changes, weakness or numbness in an arm or leg, balance problems, speech difficulty, and unexplained nausea or vomiting.

These symptoms do not always mean a brain tumour. However, if they are new, persistent, worsening, or occur together, it is important to consult a neurologist or neurosurgeon.

Can a brain tumour be cured?

It depends on the tumour type, grade, location, size, and whether it can be safely removed. Some benign brain tumours, such as certain meningiomas or vestibular schwannomas, may be controlled or cured with complete treatment. Low-grade tumours may often be managed for many years with surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, or regular monitoring, depending on the case.

High-grade tumours, such as glioblastoma, are more aggressive and more difficult to cure. In such cases, treatment focuses on removing or controlling the tumour as much as possible, slowing progression, preserving brain function, and supporting quality of life.

Is a brain tumour the same as brain cancer?

Not always. A brain tumour is any abnormal growth of cells in or around the brain. It may be benign, meaning non-cancerous, or malignant, meaning cancerous.

A benign brain tumour does not usually spread to other parts of the body, but it can still be serious because it can press on important areas of the brain. A malignant brain tumour grows more aggressively and may invade nearby brain tissue. Both benign and malignant brain tumours need specialist evaluation.

Can stress cause a brain tumour?

No. There is no established scientific evidence that stress causes brain tumours.

However, stress can cause or worsen symptoms such as headaches, poor sleep, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, and memory lapses. These symptoms can sometimes overlap with brain tumour warning signs. If symptoms are persistent, worsening, unusual, or associated with seizures, vision problems, weakness, or speech difficulty, medical evaluation is important.

What is the survival rate for brain tumours?

There is no single survival rate for all brain tumours because outcomes vary widely. Survival depends on the tumour type, grade, molecular profile, location, age, overall health, and response to treatment.

Some benign tumours have excellent outcomes after complete treatment. Some low-grade tumours can be managed for many years. High-grade tumours, such as glioblastoma, are more challenging and have a poorer prognosis, although treatment can help extend survival, control symptoms, and preserve quality of life.

At RGCIRC, prognosis is discussed individually after diagnosis, imaging, biopsy, molecular testing, and multidisciplinary treatment planning.

How is a brain tumour different from a stroke?

A stroke happens when blood supply to part of the brain is suddenly blocked or when bleeding occurs in the brain. Symptoms usually begin suddenly and may include weakness on one side of the body, difficulty speaking, facial drooping, sudden vision loss, dizziness, or a severe sudden headache.

Brain tumour symptoms often develop gradually over days, weeks, or months. However, some brain tumour-related problems, such as bleeding into a tumour or sudden raised pressure inside the skull, can also cause sudden symptoms.

Any sudden neurological symptom should be treated as a medical emergency. Do not wait to see whether it improves.

Are children at risk of brain tumours?

Yes. Brain and spinal cord tumours are among the most common cancers in children after leukaemia. The types of brain tumours seen in children can differ from those in adults. Common childhood brain tumours include medulloblastoma, pilocytic astrocytoma, ependymoma, and craniopharyngioma.

Children may show symptoms such as persistent headache, vomiting, vision problems, balance issues, seizures, unusual sleepiness, irritability, poor school performance, or delayed development. Any persistent or unusual neurological symptom in a child should be evaluated by a specialist.

Where can I consult a brain tumour specialist near me in Delhi NCR?

If you are looking for a brain tumour specialist near you in Delhi NCR, you can consult the Neuro and Spine Oncology team at RGCIRC, Rohini, Delhi. The team provides evaluation and treatment for brain tumours, spinal tumours, brain metastases, paediatric brain tumours, and other neuro-oncology conditions.

Seek urgent medical help if symptoms include a first-ever seizure, sudden weakness on one side of the body, sudden speech difficulty, sudden vision loss, severe sudden headache, confusion, drowsiness, or loss of consciousness.