The commonly seen symptoms of brain cancer are:

• Headache
• Double vision or blurred vision
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Lack of balance and coordination
• Memory lapse
• Difficulty in thinking and reasoning
• Difficulty in walking
• Jerking movement of the muscles
• Twitching of the muscles
• Speech problems
• Abnormal eye movements
• Drowsiness
• Loss of consciousness
• Numbness or tingling of the arms or legs
• Behavior or personality changes

• Physical examination: The doctor does a general health check-up of the patient. The patient’s symptoms are noted, along with the medical history and family history of the patient.
• Blood tests: These tests help in checking the presence of tumor markers (substances secreted by the tumors into the blood), which may indicate the presence of cancer.
• Imaging tests: Imaging tests like CT scans, MRI scans, PET scans help the doctor to obtain a clear image of the brain and locate the tumor.
• Neurological exam: The doctor checks the balance, coordination, hearing, vision, reflexes, and mental status of the patient to diagnose which part of the brain could be affected by a tumor.
• Biopsy: The doctor removes a small sample of the suspected tissue growth and sends it to the laboratory to check for the presence of cancer cells.
• Spinal tap: This procedure involves the removal of the fluid present around the spine using a small needle. This fluid is then sent to the laboratory to check for the presence of cancer cells.

The type of treatment performed for brain cancer depends on the type, size, location, and severity of the brain tumor, and the overall health of the patient. The different types of brain cancer treatments include:

1. Surgery:
The surgeon will remove the brain tumor whenever possible. The surgery requires great precision to avoid any damage to the functional areas of the brain.

2. Radiation therapy:
High-powered energy beams like x-rays and protons are used to kill the cancer cells in this form of treatment.

3. Chemotherapy:
This type of treatment involves using certain drugs for killing the cancer cells. These drugs can either be given orally in the form of pills or injected into the veins (intravenously).

4. Immunotherapy: This therapy involves the use of certain medications that boost the body’s immune system or disease-fighting system to kill the cancer cells.

5. Targeted drug therapy:
This therapy involves the use of certain drugs that attack specific characteristics in the cancer cells, eventually killing them.

6. Laser thermal ablation:
Lasers are used in this form of treatment to heat and destroy cancer cells.

The various side effects associated with the different types of brain cancer treatments are:
1. Surgery:

• Bleeding
• Infection
• Damage to the functional areas of the brain

2. Radiation therapy:

• Headache
• Nausea
• Memory loss
• Skin reactions
• Fatigue
• Hair loss
• Scalp irritation
• Weight gain

3. Chemotherapy, targeted drug therapy, immunotherapy:

• Nausea
• Vomiting 
• Diarrhea
• Mouth ulcers or sores
• Loss of appetite
• Loss of weight
• Easy bruising
• Hair loss
• Increased chances of infection

• It is important to get regular check-ups and screening for cancer done post-treatment to check if cancer recurs.
• Inform your doctor if you notice any major complications after the treatment.
• Palliative or supportive care is provided by the doctors, nurses, and other professionals for improving the quality of life of the patient.
• Post brain cancer treatment you may need rehabilitation. Your doctor may refer you to:
• Speech therapist: A speech therapist helps in treating the speech disorders that may occur due to brain cancer.
• Physiotherapist: A physiotherapist will help the patient in regaining his/her motor skills and lost muscle tone.
• Occupational therapist: An occupational therapist helps a patient get back to his/her normal work and social life after a major illness.