Latest and Advanced Treatment options for Brain Tumor in India

There are many different types of brain tumors. They are usually categorized by the type of cell where the tumor begins, or they are also categorized by the area of the brain where they occur. 

The most common types of brain tumors include the following:

• Gliomas. The most common type of primary brain tumor is a glioma. Gliomas begin from glial cells, which are the supportive tissue of the brain. There are several types of gliomas, categorized by where they are found, and the type of cells that originated the tumor. The following are the different types of gliomas:
  
  
• Astrocytomas. Astrocytomas are glial cell tumors that are derived from connective tissue cells called astrocytes. These cells can be found anywhere in the brain or spinal cord. Astrocytomas are the most common type of childhood brain tumor, and the most common type of primary brain tumor in adults. Astrocytomas are generally subdivided into high-grade, medium-grade, or low-grade tumors. High-grade astrocytomas (glioblastomas) are the most malignant of all brain tumors. Astrocytomas are further classified for presenting signs, symptoms, treatment, and prognosis, based on the location of the tumor. The most common location of these tumors in children is in the cerebellum, where they are called cerebellar astrocytomas. These people usually have symptoms of increased intracranial pressure, headache, and vomiting. There can also be problems with walking and coordination, as well as double vision. In adults, astrocytomas are more common in the cerebral hemispheres (cerebrum), where they commonly cause increased intracranial pressure (ICP), seizures, or changes in behavior.
  
  
• Brain stem gliomas. Brain stem gliomas are tumors found in the brain stem. Most brain stem tumors cannot be surgically removed because of the remote location and delicate and complex function this area controls. Brain stem gliomas occur almost exclusively in children; the group most often affected is the school-age child. The child usually does not have increased intracranial pressure (ICP), but may have problems with double vision, movement of the face or one side of the body, or difficulty with walking and coordination.
  
  
• Ependymomas. Ependymomas are also glial cell tumors. They usually develop in the lining of the ventricles or in the spinal cord. The most common place they are found in children is near the cerebellum. The tumor often blocks the flow of the CSF (cerebral spinal fluid, which bathes the brain and spinal cord), causing increased intracranial pressure. This type of tumor mostly occurs in children younger than 10 years of age. Ependymomas can be slow growing, compared to other brain tumors, but may recur after treatment is completed. Recurrence of ependymomas results in a more invasive tumor with more resistance to treatment. Two percent of brain tumors are ependymomas.
  
  
• Optic nerve gliomas. Optic nerve gliomas are found in or around the nerves that send messages from the eyes to the brain. They are frequently found in children who have neurofibromatosis, a condition a child is born with that makes him or her more likely to develop tumors in the brain. People usually experience loss of vision, as well as hormone problems, since these tumors are usually located at the base of the brain where hormonal control is located. These are typically difficult to treat due to the surrounding sensitive brain structures.
  
  
• Oligodendrogliomas. This type of tumor also arises from the supporting cells of the brain. They are found commonly in the cerebral hemispheres (cerebrum). Seizures are a very common symptom of these tumors, as well as headache, weakness, or changes in behavior or sleepiness. These tumors have a better prognosis than most other gliomas, but they can become more malignant with time. About two percent of brain tumors are oligodendrogliomas.
  
  
• Metastatic tumors. In adults, metastatic brain tumors are the most common type of brain tumors. These are tumors that begin to grow in another part of the body, then spread to the brain through the bloodstream. When the tumors spread to the brain, they commonly go to the part of the brain called the cerebral hemispheres, or to the cerebellum. Often, a patient may have multiple metastatic tumors in
  several different areas of the brain. Lung, breast, and colon cancers frequently travel to the brain, as do certain skin cancers. Metastatic brain tumors may be quite aggressive and may return even after surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy.
  
  
• Meningiomas. Meningiomas are usually benign tumors that come from the meninges, the outer coverings of the brain just under the skull. This type of tumor accounts for about one third of brain tumors in adults. They are slow growing and may exist for years before being detected. Meningiomas are most common in older patients, with the highest rate in people in their 70s and 80s. They are commonly found in the cerebral hemispheres just under the skull. They usually are separate from the brain and can sometimes be removed entirely during surgery. They can, however, recur after surgery and certain types can be malignant.
  
  
• Schwannomas. Schwannomas are usually benign tumors, similar to meningiomas. They arise from the supporting cells of the nerves leaving the brain, and are most common on the nerves that control hearing and balance. When schwannomas involve these nerves, they are called vestibular schwannomas or acoustic neuromas. Commonly, they present with loss of hearing, and occasionally loss of balance, or problems with weakness on one side of the face. Surgery can be difficult because of the area of the brain in which they occur, and the vital structures around the tumor. Occasionally, radiation (or a combination of surgery and radiation) is used to treat these tumors.
  
  
• Pituitary tumors. The pituitary gland is a gland located at the base of the brain. It produces hormones that control many other glands in the body. These glands include the thyroid gland, the adrenal glands, the ovaries and testes, as well as milk production by pregnant women, and fluid balance by the kidney. Tumors that occur in or around the area of the pituitary gland can affect the functioning of the gland, or overproduce hormones that are sent to the other glands. This can lead to problems with thyroid functioning, impotence, milk production from the breasts, irregular menstrual periods, or problems regulating the fluid balance in the body. In addition, due to the closeness of the pituitary to the nerves to the eyes, patients may have decreased vision.

Tumors in the pituitary are frequently benign, and total removal makes the tumors less likely to recur. Since the pituitary is at the base of the skull, approaches for removal of a pituitary tumor may involve entry through the nose or the upper gum. Certain types of tumors may be treated with medication, which, in some cases, can shrink the tumor or stop the growth of the tumor.

• Primitive neuroectodermal tumors (PNETs). PNETs are much more common in children than in adults. They can occur anywhere in the brain, although the most common place is in the back of the brain near the cerebellum. When they occur here, they are called medulloblastomas.      The symptoms depend on their location in the brain, but typically the patient experiences increased intracranial pressure. These tumors are fast growing and often malignant, with occasional spreading throughout the brain or spinal cord.
  
  
• Primary CNS lymphoma. Lymphocytes are carried in lymph fluid in and out of the brain. A CNS tumor occurs when these cells turn malignant. A weakened immune system may increase the risk of this tumor.
  
  
• Medulloblastomas. Medulloblastomas are one type of PNET that are found near the midline of the cerebellum. This tumor is rapidly growing and often blocks drainage of the CSF (cerebral spinal fluid, which bathes the brain and spinal cord), causing symptoms associated with increased ICP. Medulloblastoma cells can spread (metastasize) to other areas of the central nervous system, especially around the spinal cord. A combination of surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy is usually necessary to control these tumors.
  
  
• Craniopharyngiomas. Craniopharyngiomas are benign tumors that occur at the base of the brain near the nerves from the eyes to the brain, and the pituitary gland. These tumors are more common in children and comprise only about 1% of all brain tumors diagnosed in the U.S. Symptoms include headaches, as well as problems with vision. Hormonal imbalances are common, which may lead to poor growth in children. Symptoms of increased intracranial pressure may also be seen. Although these tumors are benign, they are hard to remove due to the sensitive brain structures that surround them.
  
  
• Pineal region tumors. Many different tumors can arise near the pineal gland, a gland that helps control sleep and wake cycles. Gliomas are common in this region, as are pineal blastomas (a type of PNET). In addition, germ cell tumors, another form of malignant tumor, can be found in this area. Benign pineal gland cysts are also seen in this location, which makes the diagnosis difficult between what is malignant and what is benign. Biopsy or removal of the tumor is frequently necessary to tell the different types of tumors apart. People with tumors in this region frequently experience headaches or symptoms of increased intracranial pressure. Treatment depends on the tumor type and size.
  
  
  Latest and Advanced Treatment options for
  
  Brain Tumor in India
  
  
  Brain Tumor is no more a scary health condition as modern technology and advanced surgical modalities now offer near perfect clinical outcomes and the patients can soon return to normal life after surgery.
  
  
  • Brain Suite - Intra-operative MR Navigation Microsurgery
  • Trans-Nasal Endoscopic Removal of brain Tumor through the nose
  • Stereotactic Radiosurgery - Gamma Knife & Novalis TX
  • Tumor Embolization using Neuro Interventional Radiology
  • CyberKnife Radiosurgery

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Advantages of Advanced Brain Tumour and Brain Cancer Surgery over Conventional surgery

Brain tumour is still a dreaded disease. If your loved one is detected with a brain tumour, it is very natural of you to get upset and look for the best hospital for brain tumour surgery in your country. It is also natural of you to become more concerned if the most advanced facility for brain tumour surgery is not available near you or you have to travel abroad like to India for best hospital for brain tumour in India. 

Many people from countries like Kenya, Nigeria, Tanzania, Ghana, Uganda, Sudan and other African countries travel abroad to India for best hospitals for brain tumour surgery. Many patients from countries in middle east like UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman and many from Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran and other countries come to India for affordable brain tumour surgery. The advantage of coming to India for them lies in the fact that the cost of brain tumour or even brain cancer surgery in India is much less as compared to what one would  pay in countries like UK, USA for such brain cancer surgery. 

It is important to know here that not all type of brain tumours are malignant or are brain cancers. Many of the tumours are benign or non cancerous in nature. There are various forms of brain tumors which include hemanigioma, meningioma, frontal lobe brain tumor, Glioblastoma which can be successfully treated. So, once those tumours are removed, the patient can lead a good life. Latest technology for Brain Surgery in India

Best hospitals in India for brain tumour surgery now have the latest and most promising technology to enable neurosurgeons to perform brain surgery with a lot of precision. Stereotactic radiosurgery helps in precisely locating where the lesion is. The latest techniques using stereotactic radiosurgery for locating brain tumor works on a very powerful computer system and thus helps the surgeon in planning each step of the procedure and to calculate the ideal access to treat the brain tumour resulting in the highest success rates for brain tumour and brain cancer surgery in India. Functional image- guidance is also being used for stereotactic radiosurgery to treat brain tumors and brain cancer.

Advantages of Advanced Brain Tumour and Brain Cancer Surgery over Conventional surgery

There are tumours that the surgeon may not be able to visualize properly without high grade technology that are now available in these best neurosurgery hospitals in India. In conventional surgery, the risk runs high that the surgeon may miss a part of the tumor which would result in re growth of the tumor and other neurological problems. 

The various advantages of the advanced brain tumour surgery are many. To name a few - the surgeon can plan the surgery properly, there are less or nil chances of missing the tumour and lesser chances of removing the normal brain tissue, resulting in much better accuracy and very high success rate for brain surgery in India. 

The downtime for patient is less that means lesser days of stay at the hospital and thus early recovery and early going back to work. 

Option for minimal access surgery, gamma knife radiosurgery, minimally invasive brain surgery, cyberknife etc are available at theses brain surgery hospitals in India. 

Cost of  Brain Tumour Surgery in India

The cost of brain tumour and brain cancer surgery in India is much less as compared to what one would pay for the surgery in USA or UK. Whereas the cost brain tumor surgery in United States is USD 20-30,000, the cost of brain tumor surgery in India is $8-9000 with the latest technology. The surgeons are board certified and are well trained. The brain surgery hospitals in India are among the best brain surgery hospitals in the world and offer great care and services. 

Advantages of Next Generation Technology over Conventional Neurosurgery to Remove Brain Tumor

MRI Guided Brain Tumor Surgery - Most Advanced Brain Tumor Surgery in IndiaA brain tumor is a group (mass) of abnormal cells that start in the brain. Primary brain tumors can arise from the brain cells, the membranes around the brain, nerves, or glands.
Tumors can directly destroy brain cells. They can also damage cells by producing inflammation, placing pressure on other parts of the brain, and increasing pressure within the skull. The cause of primary brain tumors is unknown. There are many possible risk factors that could play a role.
Advanced imaging technique now developed to enable Neurosurgeons with intra-operative MRI to aid in the removal of complex and hard-to-access brain tumors during surgery. This new technique relies on a powerful computer system, which assists the surgeon in precisely localizing a lesion, in planning each step of the procedure on the computer screen, and in calculating the ideal access to the tumour before the operation.
This is particularly useful in reaching a tumour located deep inside the brain, areas traditionally considered to be difficult to reach. During the procedure, the computer tracks instrument movement with an extremely high precision, providing the surgeon with total control inside the brain at all times using "real-time" imaging. The surgeon can also check if the tumor has been removed as planned. This improves the outlook for the patient.
“BRAIN SUITE” in India – Amongst very few such facilities worldwide
It is the most advanced Neuro-Surgical Operating Room with high field MR. This system permits the neurosurgeon to have an MRI study on the patient during surgery, and if tumor has remained which was hidden to the human eye, can be detected by special MRI sequences, and can be targeted using neuro navigation (which works on the same principle as the GPS system).
The Brain Suite has two main parts. There is a high-intensity MRI scanner integrated with an image-guided surgical system. The MRI scanner has a wide-bore opening allowing a patient to lie on his or her side. Previously, tumors that could only be accessed from the side of the skull were not easy to scan. This special MRI system lets doctors repeat scans during the operation to get more accurate information on the location, shape and size of the tumor. This minimizes problems associated with brain tumors shifting during excision.

Advantages of Next Generation Technology over Conventional Neurosurgery to Remove Brain Tumor:-

• The surgeon is guided during the surgery by live Advanced New Generation computer assisted MRI and thus knows exactly where tumor ends and normal brain begins.

• Enhanced ability of Neurosurgeon to excise the complete tumor. Less risk of post operative complications. Functional image guidance with MRI allows for accurate, non-invasive preoperative assessment and planning for brain tumor surgery.

• MRI guided Brain Tumor Surgery allows a more complete tumor removal with much less risk to surrounding brain tissue.

• "Inoperable" tumors (inoperable by conventional surgical techniques) can be resected with MRI Guided Brain Tumor Surgery. Frequently, these are deep seated-relatively benign tumors in children and young adults or elderly patients. Many of these tumors can be cured with this most advanced technology.

Most Advanced Gamma Knife RadioSurgery in india

Gamma knife is now the most accepted and widely used radio surgery treatment in the world for brain tumours. About half a million people have been treated with Gamma knife surgery, and it's the only Radiation Therapy System cleared by the FDA for irradiating brain metastases. Gamma knife surgery, despite the name, there is no blade or knife - it's called Gamma knife because radio surgery (one-session treatment) has such a dramatic and precise effect in the target zone that the changes are considered 'surgical.' So there's no incision or blood, and minimal risk of complications. The device aims gamma radiation through a target point in the patient's brain. The patient wears a specialized helmet that is surgically fixed to the skull, so that the brain tumor remains stationary at the target point of the gamma rays. An ablative dose of radiation is thereby sent through the tumor in one treatment session, while surrounding brain tissues are relatively spared.

 Radiosurgery uses high doses of radiation to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors, delivered precisely to avoid damaging healthy brain tissue. Gamma Knife radiosurgery is able to accurately focus many beams of high-intensity gamma radiation to converge on one or more tumors. Each individual beam is of relatively low intensity, so the radiation has little effect on intervening brain tissue and is concentrated only at the tumor itself.

 GammaKnife radiosurgery has proven effective for patients with benign or malignant brain tumors up to 4 centimeters in size, vascular malformations such as an arteriovenous malformation (AVM), pain or other functional problems.

The risks of gamma knife radiosurgery treatment are very low, and complications are related to the condition being treated. Gamma-Ray Stereotactic Treatment System. The Gamma Knife instrument put many gamma-ray beams from different angles and directions irradiate to body, making them all together to form the focus point. Since each dose of radiation beam is very small, it basically does not cause damage to human tissues which it through. As long as the ray focuses on the lesion, it can be as precise as a scalpel to destroy the lesion, with no trauma, no hemorrhage, no infection, no pain, and also reach rapid, safe, reliable magical effect.

Why is gamma knife surgery performed? 

Your doctor may recommend gamma knife surgery to treat some diseases and conditions of the brain. Your doctor may recommend gamma knife surgery to treat:

• Acoustic neuroma, a tumor of the nerve between the brain and the ear
• Arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) and other blood vessel disorders in the brain
• Brain tumors including some types of malignant and benign tumors
• Some types of cancer of the eye
• Epilepsy caused by a brain tumor. A brain tumor that causes epilepsy may be treated with gamma knife surgery if medications do not control seizures.
• Parkinson’s disease, a brain disorder that leads to uncontrollable shaking, muscle stiffness, and severe problems with coordination and balance
• Trigeminal neuralgia, a nerve disorder causing debilitating face pain

 Advantages Of Gamma Knife Radiosurgery

• Gamma Knife is a neurosurgical tool designed exclusively for the treatment of brain disorders.

• No incisions, No general anesthesia.

• The lesion being treated receives a high dose of radiation with minimum risk to nearby tissue and structures..

• The absence of an incision eliminates the risk of haemorrhage and infection.

• A secure head frame ensures safety and accuracy within half a millimeter

• Hospitalization is short, typically an overnight stay or an outpatient surgical procedure. Patients can immediately resume their previous activities.

• Patients go home usually on the same day (time lost from employment is minimal)
  
  
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Combinations of Several Types of Treatments to effectively fight against Brain Cancer

Brain cancer is an abnormal growth of cells in the brain, which result in a collection of cells called a brain tumor. If the abnormal cells were originally brain cells that started to grow uncontrollably, it is a primary brain tumor. If the abnormal cells originated in another part of the body, such as the lung or breast, and were carried to the brain by the blood or other body fluid, then it is considered a metastatic brain tumor. 

Primary brain tumors

There are many types of primary brain tumors, including meningiomas, pituitary adenomas, schwannomas and gliomas, which are divided into astrocytomas, ependymomas, medulloblastomas and oligodendrogliomas. Each primary brain tumor is categorized based on the type of normal brain cell from which they originated and has its own unique characteristics and growth patterns. Gliomas account for 40 percent of all primary brain tumors and it is common for them to spread from the brain to other parts of the body.The most aggressive type of glioma is called glioblastoma multiforme.

Metastatic brain tumors

 The cells that form metastatic brain tumors travel to the brain from other parts of the body through the bloodstream, along nerves or within the fluid surrounding the spinal cord and brain. These cells most commonly originate in tumors within the lung, breast, skin or colon, and are deposited in the brain where they grow into a tumor.

Both primary and metastatic brain tumors can be very dangerous because they can compress sensitive brain tissue and nerves within the head, causing patients to experience symptoms such as vision loss, hearing loss, difficulties with balance, pain or seizures. As these tumors grow larger, they can be life-threatening because they disrupt critical parts of the brain that are responsible for breathing and other basic life functions.

How is Brain Cancer Treated?

The treatment of brain tumors often requires combinations of several types of treatments to effectively fight the disease.

Surgery: 

For solitary tumors that are not near the brain’s most critical structures, such as those involved in vision or regulation of breathing, the most common treatment option is surgery, in which the tumor is cut out through surgery.⁵ Surgery is used for primary brain tumors, such as a GBM, as well as solitary brain metastases and benign tumors. Surgery is often followed by whole brain radiation therapy or partial brain radiation techniques to eliminate any microscopic bits of the tumor. In some cases, malignant brain tumors can be treated in combination with chemotherapy for greater effect.

Radiation therapy: 

If the patient suffers from multiple tumors, as is often the case with metastatic brain cancer, treatment is often whole brain radiation therapy. Whole brain radiation treatment typically requires 20 to 40 sessions over four to six weeks and is used to treat the entire brain, including both the tumor(s) and normal tissue. The normal brain tissue is not as susceptible to small doses of radiation as the tumor cells, so the extended courses of whole brain radiation therapy result in minimal destruction of normal brain cells for the patient.

For patients with a limited number of tumors in their brain, radiosurgery is another option.

Chemotherapy: 

Chemotherapy medication is delivered orally or through an IV. It affects both normal tissue and the cancer cells, so patients may experience side effects, such as severe nausea and vomiting, infections, fatigue and weight loss. Chemotherapy is typically given to a patient in combination with other types of brain cancer treatment. For example, it may be given after whole brain radiation therapy to target both the metastatic tumors in the brain and the tissues outside the brain that originally produced the cancer cells.

Radiosurgery: 

During the last 25 to 30 years, radiosurgery has emerged as an alternative to surgery. Unlike conventional radiation therapy, during which small doses of radiation are delivered over weeks and months, radiosurgery can treat a tumor in one to five sessions by delivering a high dose of radiation with extreme accuracy. During radiosurgery, hundreds of narrow radiation beams are delivered from different angles, all intersecting at the tumor. This treatment allows the tumor to be attacked by a high dose of radiation without damaging surrounding sensitive brain tissue. To be effective and safe, radiosurgery must be accurate. To achieve this accuracy, some radiosurgery devices, such as the Gamma Knife®, require a rigid stereotactic frame be affixed to a patient’s head so the system can pinpoint the exact location of a tumor.

These frames are screwed into a patient’s skull after local anesthesia is given. Many patients find these frames to be uncomfortable and painful. In addition, if multiple treatment sessions are required, the patient may have to be hospitalized with the frame in place for several days until the treatment is complete.

Other radiosurgery devices, such as the CyberKnife Robotic Radiosurgery System, improve on other radiosurgery techniques by eliminating the need for stereotactic frames. As a result, the CyberKnife System enables doctors to achieve a high level of accuracy in a non-invasive manner and allows patients to be treated on an outpatient basis

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Understanding Brain Tumors : Types , Symptoms and Treatment of Brain Tumors

What is Brain Tumors?

The human brain is the hub of the nervous system. The function of the brain is to supervise and control the actions and reactions of the body. It controls the bodily functions as it obtains sensory information rapidly analyzes such data

Abnormal growth of cells within the brain or the central spinal canal is called brain tumor. Brain tumors can initiate anywhere from the brain cells, the membranes around the brain (known as meninges), nerves, or glands. Tumor causes inflammation, consequently placing pressure within the skull and compressing the brain tissues. Because of its insidious and infiltrative character in the intracranial cavity all such tumours are intrinsically serious and life-threatening.

Factors used to classify Brain tumors include the sites of the tumour, the type of tissues involved. They can either be cancerous or non-cancerous. Different types of brain tumors include:

·         Acoustic neurinoma : Benign tumor occurring in the 8th cranial nerve (the acoustic nerve) between the pons and the cerebellum. Possibly associated with neurofibromatosis. The term "acoustic neuroma" is actually a misnomer since it this a primary intracranial tumor of the myelin forming cells called "Schwann cells" (schwannoma).

·         Astrocytomas : represent the most common type of glioma. They develop from the supporting cells of the brain, which are star-shaped glial cells called astrocytes.

·         Oligodendroglioma : These are tumours that are made up of cells known as oligodendrocytes, which produce the fatty covering of nerve cells: the myelin sheath. They are usually slower-growing than astrocytic tumours.

·         Ependymoma : Tumor arising from the ependymal cells found along the ventricles and central canal of the spinal cord.

·         Brain stem glioma : The tumor occurs in the lowest part of the brain. Brain stem gliomas most often are diagnosed in young children and middle-aged adults.

·         Craniopharyngioma :This is a benign, congenital tumor. It is cystic and occurs primarily in children and adolescents. Craniopharyngiomas occur in the sellar region. They often involve the third ventricle, optic nerve, and pituitary gland. These are localized tumors that grow by expansion. Malignancy and metastasis are unknown.

·         Medulloblastoma : This tumor usually arises in the cerebellum. It is the most common brain tumor in children. It is sometimes called a primitive neuroectodermal tumor.

·         Meningioma : Benign tumor arising from the meninges, the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. Meningiomas represent approximately 20% of all primary brain tumors and occur most commonly in middle-aged women.

·         Germ cell tumor of the brain : The tumor arises from a germ cell. Most germ cell tumors that arise in the brain occur in people younger than 30. The most common type of germ cell tumor of the brain is a germinoma.

Types of Brain Tumors

Meningioma

A meningioma is a slow-growing tumor that develops from the membrane that surrounds the brain and spinal cord. These tumors are usually benign but some may be malignant. However even "benign" tumors can grow and constrict and affect the brain, which may cause disability and may even be life threatening. Because meningiomas grow slowly, it may reach a relatively large size before it causes symptoms. Other meningiomas grow rapidly or have sudden growth spurts. Standard treatment is to remove the tumor, the portion of the lining of the brain or spinal cord where it is attached and any bone involved. Complete removal of the tumor is sometimes possible.

Pituitary Tumor

A pituitary tumor is an abnormal growth in the pituitary gland, the part of the brain that regulates the body's balance of hormones. The most common treatment for pituitary tumors is surgery. The decision to pursue surgical treatment depends on the type, location and size of tumor, and the patient's age and overall health. Most of the time, pituitary tumors can be removed through the nose and sinuses without an exernal incision. However, some tumors cannot be removed this way and will require removal through the skull with an incision in the scalp. Astrocytoma Tumors Astrocytoma tumors are the most common glioma, accounting for about half of all primary brain and spinal cord tumors.

Other symptoms for Brain Tumours can include:

·         Headaches

·         Nausea and/or vomiting

·         Difficulty speaking or remembering words

·         Disturbed vision, hearing, smell or taste

·         General irritability or a change in personality - this is sometimes noticed only by family or friends

·         Drowsiness

How is Brain Tumors Diagnosed?

·         Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan. MRI is a technique that uses a magnetic field and radio waves to create detailed images of the brain. Sometimes a special dye is injected into the bloodstream to make tumors appear different from healthy tissue (MR angiography).

·         Computerized tomographies (CT) scan. A CT scan uses a sophisticated X-ray machine linked to a computer to produce detailed, two-dimensional images of the brain. A CT scan can be very helpful in certain types of tumors, especially ones close to or involving bone.

·         Other brain scans. Other tests - such as magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) or positron emission tomography (PET) scanning - help doctors gauge brain tumor activity and blood flow.

·         Angiogram. A special dye is injected into the arteries that feed the brain, making the blood vessels visible on X-ray. This test helps locate blood vessels in and around a brain tumor.

·         Biopsy - A biopsy involves removing a piece of the tumor for viewing under a microscope. Oncologist needs to know the tumor type and grade to plan proper treatment.

Whatare the advances in radiation therapy of Brain Tumours?

·         3-Dimensional Conformal Radiation Therapy (3D-CRT) and Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT):CT scan and MRI are used to delineate the tumour and computers are used for radiation planning. Only the tumour and the high-risk region surrounding the tumour is radiated, avoiding radiation to the normal structures in the brain.

·         Stereotactic Radio-surgery (SRS) and Stereotactic Radiotherapy (SRT): Highly precise immobilization and image guidance system is used for treatment of selected brain tumours . Stereotactic radio-surgery delivering high-dose of radiation in single or a very few sessions is performed in adults with tumours such as metastatic residual glioma, meningioma and schwannoma. Novalis-Tx and Cyberknife are advanced machines to deliver such high-precision therapy.

·         High-definition Rapid Arc: This is the latest software advancement in radiation planning technology. Radiation is delivered in continuous fashion moving the machine head and its small components simultaneously around the patient's head targeting the tumour by infinite small radiation beams.

·         Proton beam therapy: Proton therapy avoids spillage of radiation dose to the surrounding brain. It is preferred in children as well as in patients with recurrent tumours who have received radiation therapy earlier.

MostAdvanced Technology for Brain Tumours Treatment in India

·         MRI Guided Brain Tumor Surgery - Advanced imaging technique now developed to enable Neurosurgeons with intra-operative MRI to aid in the removal of complex and hard-to-access brain tumors during surgery.

·         Gamma Knife Radio Surgery in India - Gamma knife radio surgery is a non-invasive procedure to treat benign and malignant brain tumors.

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