A brain tumour diagnosis can feel like standing at the edge of an unknown wilderness—daunting and filled with uncertainty. Yet, amid the fear, there is hope. Modern medicine has made significant strides in brain tumour treatments, offering patients more options than ever. From neurosurgical procedures to non-invasive brain tumour treatments, the landscape of care is evolving rapidly.
This article explores how brain cancer treatment has evolved, the different brain tumour surgery options, and the role of radiation therapy for brain tumours. More importantly, it highlights the resilience of survivors and the growing possibilities for recovery.
Understanding Brain Tumours: The First Step Toward Treatment
Brain tumours vary widely—some are benign (non-cancerous), while others are malignant (cancerous). Treatment depends on factors like tumour type, size, location, and the patient’s overall health.
Common Types of Brain Tumours:
– Gliomas (including glioblastoma)
– Meningiomas (often benign)
– Metastatic tumours (spread from other cancers).
Early detection is the key when it comes to brain tumour treatments. Thanks to imaging, like MRI, PET, and CT scans, doctors can now diagnose tumours more accurately and tailor therapies accordingly.
Brain Tumour Surgery Options
Surgery is often the first line of defence, especially for accessible tumours. The goal is to remove as much of the tumour as possible while preserving healthy brain tissue.
- Traditional Craniotomy
A section of the skull (brain flap) is temporarily removed to access the tumour.
- Minimally Invasive Keyhole Surgery
Smaller incisions lead to faster recovery.
– Ideal to treat conditions involving the skull, pituitary gland…etc.
- Awake Brain Surgery (Awake Craniotomy)
The patient remains conscious during parts of the procedure.
– Allows surgeons to test brain function in real-time (e.g., speech, movement).
– Reduces the risk of damaging critical areas.
Non-Invasive Brain Tumour Treatments: Beyond the Scalpel
Not all tumours require surgery. Some patients benefit from non-invasive brain tumour treatments, which can be used alone or alongside surgery. Neurosurgeons choose the best approach based on individual cases.
- Radiation Therapy for Brain Tumours
Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS) (e.g., Gamma Knife, CyberKnife)
– Delivers high doses of radiation to a targeted area without incisions.
– Effective for small tumours or post-surgical remnants.
Proton Therapy
– Targets tumours with minimal impact on healthy tissue. It is particularly effective in treating brain tumours in children.
- Targeted Drug Therapies & Immunotherapy
Certain drugs can attack tumour cells while sparing healthy ones, and immunotherapy (e.g., checkpoint inhibitors) helps the immune system recognise and fight cancer. These medications travel throughout the body but target specific areas, often resulting in fewer side effects than chemotherapy.
- Tumour-Treating Fields (TTFields) Therapy
This is a relatively new, non-invasive technique for adult glioblastoma patients that uses electric fields to disrupt cancer cell growth.
These brain cancer treatments make it possible for inoperable tumours to be managed well.
Recovery and Rehabilitation: The Journey After Treatment
Healing doesn’t end with surgery or radiation. Recovery is a multidisciplinary effort, often involving:
– Physical therapy (to regain motor skills)
– Speech and cognitive therapy (if language or memory is affected)
– Emotional support (counselling, support groups)
The Future of Brain Tumour Treatment: What’s Next?
Continuous research in the treatment of brain cancer offers hope to over 90,000 patients diagnosed with it each year. Brain and other central nervous system (CNS) tumours rank as the fifth most common type of cancer. Currently, over 1 million people are living with a primary brain tumour diagnosis. There are more than 100 distinct types of primary brain and CNS tumours. Some of the promising diagnosing options include:
– Liquid biopsies (detecting tumour DNA in the blood) for earlier diagnosis.
– Gene therapy to reprogram cancer cells: introduces new genes into a cancerous cell or the surrounding tissue to kill the growth or slow the growth of the cancer.
– AI-based diagnostic systems help reveal cancerous tissues that may otherwise be undetectable.
Clinical trials are expanding access to experimental treatments, offering hope where standard therapies fall short.
A Message of Hope
A brain tumour diagnosis is life-changing, but it is not the end of the road. With \neurosurgical procedures, non-invasive brain tumour treatments, and radiation therapy for brain tumours, patients today have more options than ever.
If you or a loved one is facing this challenge, remember: you are not alone. Science is advancing, and every day brings new reasons for hope. Stay informed. Stay empowered. And above all, stay hopeful.
If you suspect you or one of your loved ones can benefit from a comprehensive consultation, get in touch with a reputed brain and spine surgery centre in Singapore.
