Seizures can be an early indicator of a brain tumor, doctors warn

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A first seizure in adulthood should never be ignored as it could be the first sign of a hidden brain tumour, doctors have warned, urging people to seek prompt neurological assessment when warning signs appear. The warning came after World Brain Tumor Day, which was observed earlier in the week on June 8.

“Seizures, especially late-onset seizures (seizures occurring for the first time in adulthood), are one of the most important early indicators of a possible brain tumor and such cases should always be immediately investigated using imaging methods,” said Roopesh Kumar of MGM Healthcare. “Even a single seizure episode warrants medical evaluation because it is often the first detectable symptom of an underlying tumor.”

According to estimates by the National Cancer Registry Program of the Indian Council of Medical Research, brain tumors account for the majority of central nervous system cancers reported in population registries. Outcomes remain poor in aggressive malignancies such as gliomas, and early diagnosis is therefore critical.

Diagnostic accuracy

However, advances in technology are changing the way brain tumors are diagnosed and treated. Rajiv Vijay Kumar, an oncologist at Global Hospital, said improvements in imaging quality, digitization and neuronavigation have increased diagnostic accuracy over the past decade.

“Brain tumor is of many varieties which can be benign as well as malignant,” said Shyam Agarwal, senior consultant in medical oncology at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital. “We have so many treatment options, including surgery and radiation, that can help control cancer for a long time and even potentially offer a cure in individuals depending on the type of tumor.”

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.

Published – 10 Jun 2026 16:21 IST