Brain tumor symptoms can include seizures, nausea, blurred vision and changes in behavior or personality. If you or a loved one is experiencing symptoms that may be related to a brain tumor, it’s important to seek care from a physician on the medical staff at a Texas Health hospital for a neurological exam and evaluation.
Treatment options for brain tumors may include observation, surgery, radiation therapy or chemotherapy, depending on the type, location and growth of the tumor. In many cases, a combination of treatments may be recommended as part of a personalized care plan.
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Treatments
Treatment for brain tumors depends on several factors, including the type of tumor, the location and the rate of growth. For many types of primary brain tumors, genetic information plays an important part in the treatment plan. Our specialists on the medical staff work together to create a personalized approach for each patient.
Inpatient and outpatient care options for a variety of brain tumors are available, including:
- Radiation
- Chemotherapy and integrative medicine options
- Observation with serial imaging studies
- Surgery, including 3D image-guided surgery and minimally invasive technology
- Stereotactic biopsy/radiosurgery for benign and malignant tumors
- Laser treatment for brain tumors (laser interstitial therapy, LITT)
- Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT)
- Image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT)
- Skull-base surgery
- Awake craniotomy with brain mapping
- Stereotactic biopsy
- Transphenoidal approaches
- Endoscopic neurosurgery
- Ommaya reservoir placement
- Interventional embolization.
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Minimally Invasive Surgical TreatmentsLaser interstitial therapy (LITT) is a minimally invasive method of treating brain tumors using laser fibers precisely placed into the brain. Neurosurgeons on the medical staff at Texas Health hospitals have extensive experience with this technique. While every patient is different, the use of minimally invasive therapies can reduce time in the hospital and allow patients to heal at home with family.
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Advanced Surgical Treatments
BrainPath allows surgeons to reach abnormalities in the brain without cutting through the brain’s white matter, which is tissue responsible for a number of cognitive and functional responses. When the surgeon removes the device, the brain tissue can return to its previous position.
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3D Image-Guided Surgery
Neurosurgeons on the medical staff of Texas Health Dallas were the first in the U.S. to use BrainSuite technology. Intra-operative Magnetic Resonance Imaging (iMRI) Neurosurgical Suite technology helps to optimize brain surgery by combining image-guided surgery, high-field magnetic resonance imaging (iMRI) within the operating room, and data-management and visualization technology.
This specialized operating environment fully integrates all available and relevant surgical and diagnostic tools to treat complicated brain tumors and other neurosurgical cases. The navigation system serves like GPS (global positioning system) for the brain, providing instant updates on where the instruments are in relation to the tumor. This capability can be especially important when surgery is performed close to critical structures within the brain.
This technology can be used for a variety of conditions requiring brain surgery, such as brain tumors, metastases to the brain, epilepsy, biopsy and vascular surgery.
