A brain tumor is a mass of tissue formed by cells that don’t
follow the control mechanisms for normal cells and grow and multiply
without restraint. Since the skull encases the brain, there is
very little room for expansion to accommodate the mass of a tumor,
and the resulting increase in pressure causes many of the symptoms
of brain tumors.
Specific types of malignant tumors include:
Malignant brain tumors produce symptoms that can be placed into
two broad categories:
Intracranial pressure
- Headache
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Confusion and/or lethargy
Focal irritation or disruption of brain function
- Seizures
- Weakness
- Speech or language deficits
- Visual problems and/or gait disturbances
Most patients with primary malignant brain tumors are treated
with surgical removal, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. Gamma
Knife Radiosurgery, as an addition to other treatments, increases
the length and quality of life for such patients.
The treatment of malignant brain tumors is a multidisciplinary
task and is best accomplished in centers that have a variety of
treatment options available. Factors considered in developing
a treatment plan include type and location of the tumor, symptoms,
general condition of the patient, and, for metastatic brain tumors,
the degree of control of the primary tumor and any metastases
into other parts of the body. Your physician will discuss with
you the appropriate treatments and possible side effects.
In the past, most single metastatic brain tumors were treated
by surgical removal, followed by conventional radiation therapy.
However, studies over the past several years have shown that Gamma
Knife Radiosurgery alone is as effective as surgery and radiation
therapy and is considerably safer, easier on the patient, and
less expensive.
Gamma Knife Radiosurgery can also successfully treat multiple
brain metastases which cannot be treated surgically and which
respond poorly to conventional radiation alone.
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