Early detection is critical in the success of treating brain tumors. Some people do not seek medical attention because they are terrified to undergo brain surgery or other brain tumor treatments. It is time to see your doctor if you are having a sudden onset of extreme headaches, vision problems, a drastic change in personality, weakness on one side of the body, short term memory problems (such as difficulty comprehending speech during a conversation), slurred speech, or newly experienced seizures. These symptoms are indicators of a brain tumor.
Thanks to Cyberknife Radiosurgery, patients need not fear the invasive risks associated with traditional brain surgery for excising tumors. In fact, “Cyberknife” is just the name of the machine used in the procedure. There isn’t any cutting, and it isn’t surgery at all. Most Cyberknife sessions last between 30-90 minutes and are only necessary between 1 and 5 times on an outpatient basis.
Here is a look into how Cyberknife Radiosurgery fights cancerous brain tumors without pain, and without damaging healthy brain tissue surrounding the tumor.
- Set Up and Imaging is the first step to Cyberknife Radiosurgery. A special mesh net mask is made especially for you, and is softer, painless, and less invasive than other face frames, like the stereotactic face frame that is affixed to the actual skull in other types of radiosurgery. Your radiation therapist will make sure your mesh mask fits and is comfortable for you for the duration of your treatment. A series of imaging tests will be performed so that your team of doctors can best see the exact size, shape, and location of your tumor(s).
- Next, your team of specialists will plan your treatment. They will decide how aggressive the treatment will be and the dosage of radiation that will be delivered into your tumor(s) over a certain amount of sessions.
- The day you arrive for treatment, you can wear comfortable clothing and bring music to help keep you at ease during your session. The only thing that is required of you is to lay perfectly still and let the machine do its job. There is no pain associated with the treatment while in progress. The Cyberknife machine delivers narrow lasers of high-dose radiation to your tumor(s) from every angle imaginable. The radiation blasts through the tumor to help stop it from growing. Best scenarios show evidence that the tumor has shrunk in size and has died.
- After your session(s) are complete, you will be required to go for follow-up visits with your specialists. It is important to know that this procedure does not dissolve your tumor(s) overnight. Imagining tests will be taken to determine the progress the treatment made. Most patients respond well with positive results from radiosurgery.
There are over 120 types of brain tumors, not all brain tumors are cancerous, but they can still cause problems to your health. Radiosurgery has the best results in primary or singular brain tumors.
Treatments for Brain Tumors in Greater Princeton Area
To learn more about CyberKnife radiosurgery and treatments we offer for brain tumors, or to schedule an appointment, feel free to fill out our convenient contact form or call us directly at (609) 890-3400. Our offices are located in Hamilton, NJ, serving the greater Princeton area. We look forward to hearing from you.
