Several people around the world suffer from brain tumours, mostly young children and older adults. Brain tumours are curable; it all depends on the size, location, type and grade of the tumour. Getting an early diagnosis of (non-malignant) slow-growing tumours often offers great chances of the brain tumour being cured. Some tumours tend to be aggressive, so the treatment provided to the patient is to control the tumour, prolong the life of the patient and preserve their daily function. Change this lineThe location of a tumour plays a big role because it governs the exact symptoms, it is the pathway for diagnosis and a suitable treatment plan. Read this blog to learn more about how a brain tumour is treated.
Treatment Approaches for a Brain Tumour
The treatments of a brain tumour vary due to several reasons. Brain tumours can be treated through surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy. Explore the different methods in which brain tumours can be cured.
Surgery- The main goal of performing a surgery to remove a brain tumour is to extract the tumour without damaging the brain function. It is performed by firstly injecting the patient with anaesthesia, making an incision and accessing the brain by removing a piece of the skull temporarily. The brain tumour is extracted with microsurgical tools whilst monitoring the brain function and managing the bleeding. The dura is then closed, and the bone flap is replaced with screws. Lastly, the scalp is stitched together. It is possible for patients to stay awake during the procedure so that doctors can monitor the patient’s speech, movement and memory in real time.
Radiation therapy- The main goal of radiation therapy is to shrink the brain tumour and stop it from expanding and escalating, whilst preserving the rest of the brain’s tissue. Radiation therapy is done by the doctors by carefully targeting the tumour with radiation beams using machines such as the Gamma knife or LINACs. The machines help with damaging the cancer cells’ DNA, making the tumour hesitant to grow. This procedure is usually delivered daily for a couple of weeks, but it can also be shortened if scans are detailed enough to guide the radiation and protect the healthy tissue in the brain.
Chemotherapy-The main goal of chemotherapy is to shrink and relieve the symptoms of brain tumour by using powerful drugs that target and kill the cancer cells in the brain. Patients who undergo chemotherapy are usually given pills to have orally, get the drugs infused into their veins or receive an intrathecal administration.
Conclusion
Looking at the several brain tumour treatment options that are mentioned above, shows that brain tumours are no longer considered to be the hopeless diagnosis that they once were. With the help of Neuro Life Brain And Spine Centre, patients with different types of brain tumour conditions have access to early diagnosis, safe procedures and treatments. Our senior neurosurgeon, Dr. Amit Mittal is committed to help patients with their eye problems and reshape their world into a better place.
FAQs
- What are the symptoms of a brain tumour?
A: The common symptoms of having a brain tumour are memory loss, headaches, seizures, nausea, dizziness, personality changes and vision problems.
- Can brain tumours be treated?
A: Yes, brain tumours can be treated with various treatment options like surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy.
- Are brain tumours hereditary?
A: There is a 5-10% chance of inheriting a brain tumour, but the risk slightly increases when a close family member has a brain tumour due to the environment and genetic factors.
