Neurosurgery and Brain Cancer: Exploring Surgical Treatment Options
Neurosurgery can play a great role in the treatment of brain cancer by offering a host of surgical options that may make all the difference in the outcome for a patient. Surgery helps in eliminating a tumor, relieving symptoms, and provides an improved quality of life to patients suffering from this serious condition. Understanding these options is important for anyone who faces a diagnosis of brain cancer, as well as for anyone supporting such an individual.
According to the site and size of the tumor, patients might undergo different types of surgical approaches. These range from minimally invasive to highly extensive in nature. Each one of these options contains its own share of advantages and disadvantages; hence, it always remains imperative to discuss all possibilities with an efficient healthcare provider.
Advances in neurosurgery have resulted in increased precision and success rates in targeting brain tumors. With appropriate surgical intervention, one would, therefore, hope for an improvement in treatment outcomes and survival.
Key Takeaways
- Surgery can actually cure brain cancer by removing the tumor.
- There are various surgical interventions depending on the nature of the tumor.
- New technologies continue to facilitate better surgical outcomes for patients.
Understanding Brain Cancer
Abnormal cell growth in the brain is referred to as brain cancer; it is also known as intracranial tumors. There are several types of brain tumors, with each type having a different cause. The symptoms vary greatly depending on which area of the brain is affected, and symptoms can be dependent upon the diagnosis and treatment options.
Brain Tumors: Types
Brain tumors may be described as either primary or secondary. Primary tumors are those beginning in the brain itself and include gliomas, meningiomas, and medulloblastomas. Gliomas arise from glial cells. Gliomas can be very aggressive. Meningiomas develop from the protective membranes enveloping the brain and have a tendency to be very benign. Medulloblastomas, which are most often found in children,.
The secondary tumors represent the spread of cancer from other parts of the body. Common sources include cancers of the lung, breast, and skin. These may give different symptoms and action also would be to correspond with specific needs. It is important to understand the kind of tumor one has in order to come up with the best possible treatment.
Common Symptoms and Diagnosis
Symptoms of brain cancer include symptoms due to the site and the size of a tumor. Common symptoms include headache, seizure, and changes in cognitive function. Other symptoms may involve visual or auditory disturbances, problems with balance, or nausea.
The diagnosis often begins with the taking of history and neurological examination. Imaging studies, including MRI and CT, help visualize the tumor. Further biopsy may be done to confirm the type of the tumor. The earlier the lesion is identified, the better the treatment options will be.
Surgical Treatment Options
Surgery remains a vital approach in the management of brain tumors. Each technique has its advantages and other considerations. The following are some of the promiment approaches that are in common use.
Craniotomy and Resection of Tumors
A craniotomy is a type of surgical procedure where part of the skull is removed to access the brain. The surgeon, in this surgery, may resect a tumor, a surgical removal of part or all of a brain tumor.
This approach allows visualization of the tumor directly and the tissue around it. It helps the surgeon decide exactly how best to remove the tumor while preserving healthy brain tissue.
These include infection risks, bleeding, and neurological problems. The recovery of the patient may take long, and rehabilitation may be carried out thereafter.
Minimally Invasive Neuroendoscopy
In minimally invasive neuroendoscopy, small tubes with an attached camera are used to reach the brain through a small opening. This is much less traumatic compared to open surgery.
Through such tubes, surgeons pass instruments to remove a tumor or perform a biopsy. The resulting scars are smaller, and recovery is usually shorter.
These advantages are less pain, less hospitalization, and quicker recovery to get back to daily life. However, all types of tumors cannot be treated by this method.
Laser Interstitial Thermal Therapy
A new modality introduced is laser interstitial thermal therapy. It works by destroying tumor cells with the use of lasers. A small opening in the skull allows the entrance of a thin laser fibre into the tumour.
This laser heats up and destroys the cancerous tissue targeted.
LITT treats the tumor that is hard to reach or located near the vital area of the brain. The method of treatment is minimally invasive, so less pain and shortening of recovery often relate to it.
The limitations are it can have precision of the procedure only by advanced imaging.
Awake Brain Surgery
Awake brain surgery is a specific kind of surgery where patients remain awake for part of the operation. It primarily applies to tumors that are situated near areas responsible either for speech or movement.
During the surgery, a surgeon can stimulate parts of the brain and may ask the patient to perform certain tasks to make sure critical functions are not harmed during the operation.
Advantages include real-time feedback from the patient to make a better preservation of function. This can, however be quite a difficult experience, not all patients are candidates for this type of surgery.