Treatment of Brain Tumors

Treatment :

The role of a neurosurgeon is more important in the treatment of a brain tumor than a neurologist. If the tumor is cancerous, the services of an oncologist and radiation physician are also very important. After surgery and other treatments the remaining symptoms like seizures, swelling, paralysis etc. can be attended to from time to time by a neurologist.

There is so much advancement in the treatment of brain tumors that some types of tumors can be stopped from growing, and eventually shrunk by the use of gamma radiation, without opening the brain. If this fails, only then the conventional surgery needs to be done. Many small and superficial tumors can be removed through stereotaxis technique, in which they can be sucked out through a special needle or in some cases, it can be dissolved or cauterized with the help of particular rays. In other cases, the surgeons remove the tumor by opening the brain and spinal cord. Sometimes, intricate surgeries can be performed with the help of a microscope, which do not affect the normal parts of the brain. Due to this the brain operations can go on for six to twelve hours. The advances in anesthesia have helped in reducing the risk of surgery. Fortunately, there are experienced surgeons, good anesthesiologist and excellent techniques available at various places in India and abroad.

After surgery, physiotherapy and necessary medicines are given to cure the symptoms and side effects. If the biopsy of the tumor shows malignancy, chemotherapy, radiation etc are used to try to cure the patient.

The brain tumor is undeniably a serious disease, but majority of non-malignant cases can be cured. For this it is necessary to recognize the early symptoms and analyze them and getting the problem diagnosed and treated by a specialist at the earliest. There is no need to be panicky, about it.