Brain Tumors, Neuro-oncology
Acoustic Neuroma
This is a benign/noncancerous brain tumor that develops from the vestibulocochlear nerve, which carries sound and balance information from the ear to the brain.
Acoustic neuroma usually grows slowly and can cause hearing and balance problems when it puts pressure on the vestibulocochlear nerve.
This tumor can be life-threatening if it compresses nearby structures, such as the brainstem and cerebellum. Patient will have problems in eating food, breathing and walking.
Treatments for Acoustic Neuroma
It can be treated nonoperatively if you are not having symptoms and the tumor is growing slowly. Your doctor may choose to monitor it over time with imaging and hearing tests.
Radiation therapy or surgery may be recommended to remove the tumor if it is large, causing symptoms, growing quickly, or pressing on your brain. Also known as Cerebello pontine angle tumor, vestibular schwannoma, neurofibromatosis type I Advanced treatment available for safe surgery neuro monitoring for preservation of normal facial appearance and hearing.
Symptoms of Acoustic Neuroma
- Hearing loss in one ear
- Ringing in one ear
- Dizziness (vertigo), Loss of balance
- Tendency to fall to one side
- Facial numbness, Weakness
- Paralysis
- Swallowing difficulty, regurgitation of food or liquids
How are Acoustic Neuromas diagnosed?
- Hearing tests- Pure tone audiometry
- Balance tests to be tested clinically
- CT or MRI scans
Brain Tumors, Neuro-oncology
Astrocytoma
An astrocytoma is a tumor that is made up of abnormal astrocytes. When this happens, astrocytes cease to play a supportive role to your neurons and also lose their ability to grow in an organized and regulated way.
This unchecked growth damages or destroys surrounding structures and is what causes the symptoms of an astrocytoma.
Your nervous system is made up of cells called neurons. Neurons are the functional cells of the nervous system; they conduct signals between different parts of your brain and body.
However, your nervous system also contains a vast number of cells that nourish and support your neurons. These cells are called glial cells, and one important type of glial cell is an astrocyte—so named because of its star-shaped appearance.
Treatments for Astrocytoma
Your neurosurgeon and neuro-oncologist can help you decide on the best course of treatment based on the severity of your symptoms, the classification of your tumor, and where the tumor is located.
The goal of surgery for an astrocytoma is to collect the sample of tumor tissue and send it for immediate microscopy examination.
Based on the grade of the tumor your surgeon may decide to remove maximum safe resection of the tumor or remove it completely. Our team comprises an oncologist who will guide on radiation therapy, chemotherapy to augment the surgery.
Symptoms of Astrocytoma
- Throbbing Headache
- Seizure
- Weakness
- Nausea, Vomiting
- Vision loss, Double vision
- Difficulty walking
- Coordination problems
- Cognitive impairment
- Memory problems
- Calculation errors
How are Astrocytomas diagnosed?
- Imaging tests, such as computed tomography (CT)
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans
Brain Tumors, Neuro-oncology
Orbital
Orbital tumors are abnormal growths of tissue in the structures that surround the eye. These lesions may be either benign or malignant, and may arise primarily from the orbit or may spread (metastasize) from elsewhere in the body. The most common types of orbital tumors vary considerably by age, but include cysts, vascular lesions (arising from blood vessels), lymphomas, neurogenic tumors (arising from nerves), and secondary tumors (either metastatic or spread directly from the surrounding sinuses or cranium).
Treatments for Orbital
A variety of treatment options exist for these tumors, and the modality used depends on the type of tumor.
Whenever possible, these lesions are removed using careful surgical techniques.
However, not all tumors require surgical excision and in some, radiation, chemotherapy, or immunotherapy may be the indicated form of treatment.
As a result, we work closely with several other services to ensure the best possible outcomes for our patients, including neurosurgery, otolaryngology, radiation oncology, radiology.
Symptoms of Orbital
- Bulging forward of the eyeball.
- Flattened eyeball.
- Numbness or tingling around the eye.
- An inability to move one eye in synch with the other.
- Vision changes or loss.
- Pain around the eye.
- Swollen or droopy eyelid.
How are Orbital diagnosed?
- CT scan
- Ultrasonography
- Imaging tests
- MRI scan
Brain Tumors, Neuro-oncology
Colloid Cysts
Colloid cysts are cystic brain tumors filled with a thick, gel-like fluid called colloid. They are usually found in the middle of the brain on the roof of the third ventricle.
These cysts are usually benign and may remain asymptomatic in the brain for years, but they can eventually grow larger and cause neurological symptoms due obstruction to the flow of cerebrospinal fluid, causing fluid buildup in the ventricles of the brain (hydrocephalus) and increased pressure within the skull.
This pressure can cause headaches, nausea, vomiting, imbalance, confusion. In extreme cases of complete obstruction of the spinal fluid, it results in brain herniation (downward displacement of the brain resulting in the blockage of blood vessels to the brain) and sudden death.
Treatments for Colloid Cyst
If the cyst is not causing symptoms, your doctor may recommend observation only.
If the cyst appears to be at risk of obstructing the flow of cerebrospinal fluid, or if it is causing increased pressure within your skull, surgery is necessary.
Symptoms of Colloid Cyst
- Headaches, Vomiting, Nausea
- Confusion, Imbalance in walking
- Vision loss or double vision
- Brief loss of consciousness and coma
How are Colloid Cysts diagnosed?
- Imaging tests, such as computed tomography (CT)
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans
Brain Tumors, Neuro-oncology
Craniopharyngioma
A craniopharyngioma is a brain tumor that forms near the pituitary gland, a small organ that secretes hormones that regulate many bodily functions.
Most craniopharyngiomas are noncancerous, but they exhibit locally aggressive behavior and will invade surrounding structures if left untreated.
As the tumor grows, it can affect the function of the pituitary gland and other nearby structures.
Treatments for Craniopharyngioma
Surgery may be recommended to remove as much of the tumor as possible and to relieve pressure on the brain.
If the entire tumor cannot be removed with surgery, radiation therapy may be suggested to stop further growth and kill the existing tumor cells.
At CNS Clinic, we offer noninvasive Gamma Knife and Cyberknife radiosurgery procedures that focus many small beams of radiation on the craniopharyngioma.
We also offer transsphenoidal surgery and craniotomy to remove craniopharyngiomas.
Symptoms of Craniopharyngioma
- Headache, Confusion
- Endocrine dysfunction
- Vision problems
- Increased drowsiness
- Diabetes insipidus
- Blurred vision
- Fatigue, Constipation
- Decreased visual field
- Nausea, Vomiting
How are Craniopharyngioma diagnosed?
- Neurological exam
- CT scan or an MRI scan
- Blood tests to measure hormone levels
Brain Tumors, Neuro-oncology
Glioblastoma Multiforme
Glioblastoma multiforme tumors, commonly called glioblastomas, are malignant brain tumors that develop from astrocytes and oligodendrocytes—cells that support and maintain the nerve cells in the brain.
These tumors quickly invade other parts of the brain and may appear at more that one location when they are called as multicentric.
They are the most aggressive of all primary brain tumors (tumors that originate in the brain).
Treatments for Glioblastoma Multiforme
Because glioblastomas rapidly invade other parts of the brain, they cannot be completely removed with surgery.
Glioblastoma Multiforme treatment usually involves a combination of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation.
However, individual tumor cells can survive radiation and chemotherapy, and cause recurrence of the tumor.
Surgery to remove a glioblastoma focuses on removing as much of the tumor as possible without damaging important parts of the brain.
CNS Clinic offers several advanced options that aid surgeons in removing the maximum amount of tumor while sparing as much healthy tissue as possible.
This is possible by using advanced technologies like Neuro-navigation, CUSA and Neuromonitoring.
Modern Radiation Therapy, Gamma Knife Radiosurgery, Chemotherapy for Glioblastomas can also be used.
Symptoms of Glioblastoma Multiforme
- Headache
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Seizures
- Drowsiness
- Vision changes
- Altered sensorium
- Memory problems
- Speech difficulties
- Weakness on one side of the body
How are Glioblastomas diagnosed?
Your doctor may use imaging tests, such as CT and MRI scans, and a tissue biopsy to differentiate between a glioblastoma and other kinds of brain tumors.
Though a glioblastoma may be suspected on the basis of imaging studies alone, tissue biopsy is needed to accurately diagnose the tumor type.
Brain Tumors, Neuro-oncology
Hypothalamic Hamartoma
Hypothalamic hamartomas (HH) are rare, benign (noncancerous) tumors of the hypothalamus, a region of your brain that regulates many of your body’s systems.
Hypothalamic hamartomas affect people from infancy through adulthood and commonly cause seizures, precocious (early) puberty, hormonal imbalances, and cognitive and behavioral problems.
Hypothalamic hamartomas are usually diagnosed during evaluation of people for epilepsy or precocious puberty.
Treatments for Hypothalamic Hamartomae
Our neurosurgeons at CNS Clinic are one of just a few groups in the world with significant experience using the transcallosal approach to remove hypothalamic hamartomas.
We also use more traditional subtemporal or orbitozygomatic approaches if they offer the best chance of success.
Less-invasive endoscopic surgery can be considered when the size and anatomical positioning of the lesion allows.
Modern Laser Generated Stereotactic Thermoablation, Gamma Knife Radiosurgery can also be used.
Symptoms of Hypothalamic Hamartomae
- Seizures
- Precocious (early) puberty
- Hormone imbalances
- Cognitive impairment
- Behavioral problems
- Emotional difficulties
How are Hypothalamic Hamartomae diagnosed?
Hypothalamic hamartomas are diagnosed by (MRI) and Neurological tests.
lectroencephalography (EEG) may also be used to identify seizure patterns that suggest a hypothalamic hamartoma.
Brain Tumors, Neuro-oncology
Meningioma
A meningioma is a tumor that arises from the meninges, or protective coverings, of your brain and spinal cord.
Your meninges are made up of three layers of tissues that occupy the space between your brain and skull and your spinal cord and spine.
Meningiomas usually are benign, meaning they do not invade nearby tissue and they do not metastasize, or migrate, to other parts of your body.
Treatments for Meningioma
If your meningioma is not causing symptoms, or if your symptoms are mild, tolerable, and not getting noticeably worse, your doctor may recommend simple observation.
This involves diagnostic imaging repeated periodically to monitor the size of your meningioma.
If your tumor is causing symptoms, your doctor may recommend radiation therapy (Cyberknife or Gamma Knife) or traditional surgery to remove the tumor.
Chemotherapy is generally only used as a last-resort treatment for meningiomas.
Symptoms of Meningioma
- Headache
- Nausea
- Vision changes
- Weakness, difficulty walking and coordination problems
- Seizures
How are Meningioma diagnosed?
The presence of a tumor can be ascertained by diagnostic imaging—usually computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Your doctor may suspect a meningioma based on imaging alone, but a biopsy will be required to provide you with a definitive diagnosis.
Brain Tumors, Neuro-oncology
Metastatic
Brain metastases occur when cancer cells spread from their original site to the brain.
Brain metastases may form one tumor or many tumors in the brain.
As the metastatic brain tumors grow, they create pressure on and change the function of surrounding brain tissue.
This causes signs and symptoms, such as headache, personality changes, memory loss and seizures.
Treatments for Metastatic
Treatment for people whose cancer has spread to the brain may include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy or a combination of treatments.
Treatment is often focused on reducing pain and symptoms resulting from the cancer.
Symptoms of Metastatic
- Headache, sometimes with vomiting or nausea
- Mental changes, such as increasing memory problems
- Seizures
- Weakness or numbness on one side of the body
How are Metastatic diagnosed?
The presence of a tumor can be ascertained by diagnostic imaging—usually computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
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