A brain tumor is one of the most common medical conditions. In this condition, a person’s brain is affected by the sudden growth of abnormal cells. It is one of the most common medical problems diagnosed with more than 10 lakh cases in India.
Cancer cells are a type of cells that continue to divide abnormally and form tumors (mass of abnormal cells dividing rapidly). They could also fill the bloodstream with these cells, and interfere with the body’s normal functioning.
When such cancer cells travel up to the brain, they form a mass of abnormal cells and form a tumor. The tumor keeps growing as the cells continue to divide rapidly.
As the brain controls almost every action, a brain tumor severely affects the body’s normal functioning. A person might face difficulty in coordination while walking, talking, and reading, extreme headaches and nausea, weakness in any side of the body or face, and even memory loss. Some other symptoms can also be noticed, such as loss of bladder control, loss of taste and smell, and difficulty breathing.
A person suffering from a brain tumor experiences a lot of pain and difficulty. A person suffering from similar symptoms must be diagnosed, and immediately treated.
These are the seven best and most effective brain tumor treatments in India.
- Craniotomy / Surgery –
Surgery is the first treatment almost every doctor recommends. However, removing a brain tumor by surgery depends upon the location and size of the tumor. Magnetic Resonance Imaging or MRI and Computer Tomography or CT scan helps determine the size and location of the tumor.
The surgery done to remove the brain tumor by making a small incision on the scalp is known as Craniotomy. Depending upon the location of the brain tumor, the portion to be removed is analyzed.
If the size of the tumor is small and is in a removable position the surgeons can eradicate the tumor.
If sensitive brain tissues surround the tumor, it will be critical to remove them altogether. In such cases, only a part of the tumor is removed by surgery. The remaining portion is treated by radiation therapy or chemotherapy.
In absolutely critical conditions, the tumor has grown large or is located deep within the brain. Here, surgery is almost impossible, and doctors perform a biopsy. This is done to obtain a small piece of the tumor. It is then examined by pathologists to know what type of cells the tumor contains, and which treatment shall be best.
2. Radiotherapy –
Radiation therapy or radiotherapy is the process of treating a brain tumor that cannot be obliterated. This is done in two ways- external radiotherapy and internal radiotherapy (known as brachytherapy).
In external radiotherapy, powerful energy beams are directed towards the patient’s head to destroy tumor cells. Conducting the radiotherapy for an extended period, usually for several weeks, helps in minimizing the damage to surrounding brain tissues.
Usually, X-rays are used in radiotherapy. They are explicitly directed to the tumor, the whole brain, and sometimes even the brain and the spinal cord. Recent advancement in technology has enabled doctors to use proton beams.
Proton beams are potent proton rays that can be directed straight towards the brain tumor. This helps in the rapid and effective destruction of the tumor.
3. Brachytherapy
Brachytherapy is the process of internal radiotherapy to eradicate brain tumors. In brachytherapy, a minute radioactive material is implanted directly on the tumor or very close to it. There are two types of brachytherapy – Low Dose Rate, and High Dose Rate (HDR).
For the treatment of brain tumors, LDR is opted for. In the Low Dose Rate, minute radioactive grains are implanted permanently on the tumor. The radiation is decisive for the first weeks or months, and then slowly dies off. The tumor is ultimately killed by then.
4. Radiosurgery –
Radiosurgery, often known as CyberKnife, is a highly advanced procedure for removing brain tumors via radiation. Straight narrow rays of radiation are directed precisely on the tumor from different angles.
The healthy tissues around the tumor are not affected during this procedure as the beams of radiation fall on the tumor.
CyberKnife procedure is carried for several days, depending on the patient’s age and the size of the tumor.
5. Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy involves the intake of drugs either in the form of pills or through intravenous injections. The drugs release biochemicals in the bloodstream targeted towards the effective destruction of cancer cells.
It is usually given in the hospital or the doctor’s chamber. Drugs injected in the cerebrospinal fluid, for treating brain tumor is known as intrathecal chemotherapy.
6. Gamma Knife
Gamma knife is radiosurgery used to treat brain tumors, epilepsy, trigeminal neuralgia, and other critical diseases.
Instead of many narrow beams of X-rays pointed at the tumor, a gamma knife uses a single, thin, highly powerful gamma radiation. This is pointed directly at the tumor.
Brain tumors that are nearly 1 inch in diameter are treated with a gamma knife. It causes no damage to the surrounding healthy tissues of the brain.
7. Targeted Drug Therapy
In targeted drug treatments, cancer cells are targeted for specific abnormalities. Targeted drug treatment can cause cancer cells to die by blocking abnormalities in these cells.
Although some brain tumors are treated with targeted therapy drugs, numerous clinical trials are underway for such drugs. Depending on the nature of your brain tumor, your doctor may test your tumor cells to determine what treatment is best for you.
BLK Max Super Specialty Hospital has a team of over 1500 health care providers team of over 1500 health care providers, providing world-class medical care. BLX Max Super Speciality Hospital is one of the leading providers of world-class healthcare in India. They provide comprehensive, seamless, and integrated services
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