Brain tumors are the formations of a benign or malignant nature, which are the result of a disturbance in the process of cell division and occurs with an intracranial localization. In this article we will highlight you the main points about each type of neoplasm and the features of their treatment.
FEATURES OF THE BRAIN TUMORS
Pathological formation can develop not only in brain tissues or membranes, but also in vessels, nerves and glandular structures.
Brain tumors make up no more than 9% of all oncological tumors and, on average, the frequency of their occurrence is 15-18 patients per 100,000 population, and neuro-oncology is considered to be one of the urgent problems of modern oncology.
Benign and malignant tumors occur in both adults and children, but in childhood the incidence is almost 3 times lower.Today the problem of quick and early diagnosis of all brain tumors is very acute.
The main feature of all brain neoplasms is the fact of their localization in the intracranial space bounded by the bones of the skull. With the active growth of even benign tumors, this can cause squeezing of intracranial structures, an increase in pressure and, as a result, a lethal outcome.
WHAT ARE THE BRAIN TUMORS?
Tumors can be primary (occur as a result of pathological changes in cells of certain brain tissues) and secondary (as a result of metastasis of extracranial cancer tumors). Let’s Consider the primary brain tumors, their main classifications by cellular structure. Among the primary occurring neoplasms in brain tissue, there are:
1) Neuroepithelial tumors: These originate directly from brain tissue. The most common category of neoplasms (about 65% of all brain tumors). This category includes astrocytoma, glioma, glioblastoma, ependymoma, etc. Each type of tumor requires an individual approach. The correct treatment tactics is chosen in each individual case considering the mass of factors: the size of the tumor, its localization, cell structure and maturity.
For the treatment of neuroepithelial tumors, the main method is surgery (standard, minimally invasive or stereotactic surgery). If the tumor is located in a difficult place, the surgeon may try to remove it partially, continuing the treatment in the form of chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Radiotherapy and chemotherapy can also be used separately from surgery. The aim can be both palliative treatment and the ability to reduce the volume of tumor before surgery. Radiosurgery is applicable in some situations, but its relevance should be assessed by a doctor before choosing this treatment method as the main one.
2) Membrane tumors: Neoplasms, developing from the tissues of the membranes of the brain. The most prominent example of a representative of this group of tumors is meningioma, a neoplasm from the arachnoid. The main method of treatment of this pathology is surgery.
It is necessary to remove the tumor completely, but sometimes access is complicated not only by the complex localization of the formation, but by the presence of vessels in the process. In this case, surgery can be combined with radiation exposure, and with a small amount of pathology, only radiation treatment can be carried out at all. Chemotherapy in this matter is completely ineffective.
3) Tumors of the cranial nerves – neuromas (schwannomas), neurofibromas: This category of formations develops along the cranial nerves. One of the most frequent diseases of the group is the acoustic neuroma. The treatment is exclusively surgical, in rare cases radiosurgery or radiation therapy is used.
4) Disembiogenetic poorly differentiated tumors: A group of rare and complex formations arising as embryogenesis pathology. One example of this type of tumor is medulloblastoma.
The main treatment tactic is considered to be surgery – radical removal of a tumor (often using not only neuronavigation, but also MRI navigation). Radiation therapy is used both after and before surgery, and chemotherapy as an additional measure.
5) Tumors of the endocrine glands of the brain: These most often include tumors that grow in their pituitary (pituitary adenoma) or pineal gland (pineocytoma, pineoblastoma).
As already mentioned above, each type of tumor requires the determination of individual treatment tactics. The above treatment methods are possible and applied, but their relevance in each individual case is substantiated collectively by experts: surgeons, clinical oncologists and radiologists.
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