tumors of the brain result from the development of abnormal cells in the brain tissues. It can be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous) and has different types.
Brain tumors can occur at any age, but they are most common in children and adults over 60. They do not spread outside the brain and spinal cord; however, some aggressive brain tumors can spread to other body parts.
Is It Possible to Treat Brain tumors?
A benign brain tumor, i.e., a grade 1 tumor, can be treated. Grade 2 brain tumors can also be treated, but the patient’s age and the treatment method influence it. Malignant brain tumors are found at stage three.
Surgical treatment may not always be successful in these cases. Also, the type of brain tumor treatment depends on the type of tumor, its location, and your age and health.
A brain tumor can recur even after surgery. It is life-threatening if a brain tumor is diagnosed at stage 4. Surgical patients can expect to live for four to twelve months after the operation.
Various innovative and cutting-edge technologies have been developed in recent years to treat brain tumors to prolong the life of patients without requiring them to undergo surgery. The following is a list of nonsurgical procedures used to treat brain tumors.
Nonsurgical Treatment Methods for Brain tumor:
Steroid
Steroids, also known as corticosteroids, are used as anti-inflammatory drugs. They are typically given intravenously (through a vein) or orally (by mouth). Steroids help to decrease inflammation and swelling around the tumor, which can help to improve symptoms.
There are many potential side effects of steroids, including weight gain, mood changes, insomnia, and increased appetite. However, steroids are generally well-tolerated, and most people experience few, if any, side effects.
Chemotherapy
Almost all types of cancer can be treated with chemotherapy, except for brain tumors. A brain tumor cannot be treated with this method due to the blood-brain barrier separating the brain from its surrounding tissues and organs. As a result, the drugs cannot reach cancer cells in the brain when chemotherapy is injected or taken orally. As a result, it occurs at a lower level of effectiveness for chemotherapy.
The use of chemotherapy for brain tumor treatment is justified in the following circumstances:
I. First, the rapid growth of the tumor is observed.
II. There is no surgery; chemotherapy is combined with radiation therapy.
III. A catheter injects chemotherapy into the brain’s ventricle after surgery.
IV. A patient has been diagnosed with lymphoma or medulloblastoma.
Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy is one of the most widely used nonsurgical procedures to treat a brain tumor. This therapy aims to destroy cancer cells while sparing the normal tissue surrounding the tumor.
External beam radiation and internal beam radiation are both forms of radiation therapy. Radiation delivered externally is delivered by a machine outside the body. Internal beam radiation is delivered by placing radioactive material inside thin tubes inserted into the body. The use of radiation can be combined with surgery or chemotherapy or used independently.
The type of radiation therapy appropriate for a particular patient depends on many factors. It may include the size and location of the tumor, the type of cancer, and whether it has spread to other body parts.
Stereotactic Radiosurgery
The principle of stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) is similar to radiation therapy. This one is a highly focused radiation treatment that targets the brain tumor more precisely than traditional radiation therapy.
Some conditions may be treated with this treatment, including small brain tumors, abnormal blood vessels in the brain, specific cancerous regions, small tumors of the lungs and liver, and neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s disease. There are two main methods of delivering SRS:
● Linear Accelerator (LINAC)
● Cobalt-60 Therapy
Alternative and Integrative Medicine
Traditional medicine has been the go-to for treating various medical conditions for years. However, there is a growing trend of patients seeking out alternative and integrative options for treatment, particularly when it comes to brain tumors.
Several reasons a patient may opt for alternative or integrative treatments for brain tumors. First and foremost, these treatments are often non-invasive and carry a lower risk of complications than traditional surgical options. Additionally, many patients feel they have more control over their treatment when choosing alternative therapies.
Conclusion
Brain tumor treatment is possible without surgery, though it depends on the type and stage of the tumor. Radiation therapy and chemotherapy are considered the most common nonsurgical treatments for brain tumors. Targeted drug therapies are also being developed and show promise for treating certain brain tumors. Clinical trials testing new treatments are ongoing. The best course of treatment depends on the individual patient and should be discussed with a qualified medical professional.
Read More health Blogs about normal delivery
