Abnormal, uncontrolled cell growths that multiply in the brain are called brain tumors. Low-grade brain tumors, which we call grade 1 or 2, grow slowly and are less likely to return after treatment. High-grade brain tumors that are 3 or 4 are malignant cancerous brain tumors, and they are more likely to grow back after treatment.
A primary brain tumor is a tumor that begins directly in the brain. Tumors that start in another part of the body and then spread to the brain are called secondary (metastatic tumors).
The symptoms of a brain tumor are different according to the growth rate, size, and location of the tumor. We can summarize the common symptoms of a brain tumor as follows:
Headache
Unexplained nausea and vomiting
Various vision, hearing, speech, and balance problems
Loss of movement and sensation
Mental, and behavioral changes
Weakness, feeling extremely tired
Seizures
More common in older adults, brain tumors can affect people of all ages, including children.
Treatment options for brain tumors differ depending on the location of the tumor, and the type, and size of the tumor. We plan the most accurate treatment plan for a patient with a brain tumor by adopting a multidisciplinary approach. The main treatment options are surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and targeted therapies. However, surgery is usually the first treatment option.
Different techniques are used in brain tumor surgery. One of the most commonly used is the craniotomy technique, which allows the removal of the tumor by cutting the skull bone. Microsurgery, which allows us to distinguish healthy and tumor tissues more easily, is another technique. Our preferred method of removing tumors that develop in the brain cavity is neuroendoscopy, that is, laparoscopic surgery. In addition, with ultrasonic aspiration, the tumor can be broken down and removed by suction thanks to the sound waves emitted by a prop placed inside the tumor.
Abnormal tissue growths that occur in the spinal cord are spinal cord tumors. They are rare than brain tumors, but even benign spinal cord tumors put pressure on the spinal cord as they grow, causing serious neurological problems.
Spinal cord tumors, just like brain tumors, require different treatment options depending on various conditions, such as the type of tumor, its location, and the patient’s age. However, it is necessary to remove most spinal cord tumors by surgery, which can be performed with small incisions and small bone fragmentation, typically in the back or neck. Some of our patients may require further treatment, including radiation and/or chemotherapy, depending on the type of tumor.
The high-powered microscopes that we now use in microsurgery make it easier to distinguish the tumor from the healthy tissue. By monitoring the spinal cord and other important nerves during surgery, we can minimize the possibility of injury to healthy tissues.
