brain tumor

For brain tumors, various treatment methods can be attempted depending on the location and nature of the tumor. To this end, various departments come together to consider the most appropriate treatment direction for patients, so it is important to communicate with experts and actively receive treatment (Photo = Clip Art Korea).

A brain tumor is any tumor that develops within the bones of the head. It is divided into two types: benign and malignant, and the number of patients with both types is increasing recently. According to the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service, the number of patients with benign brain tumors increased by about 37% in five years from 37,815 in 2017 to 51,842 in 2021, and the number of malignant brain tumors also increased by about 7 from 10,186 to 11,945 during the same period. % increased.

But it is too early to despair. With the advancement of medical technology, Brain tumors are treated in various ways depending on the location and nature of the tumor.Because you can. Moreover, in order to find the most suitable treatment method for the patient, The quality of life of brain tumor patients has significantly improved as a multidisciplinary approach has been implemented from the beginning, with multiple departments working together.It is becoming.

Professor Kim Se-hyuk of the Department of Neurology at Ajou University Hospital said, “Cancer is difficult to cure with just one treatment method, and in most cases, Requires various treatments such as surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy“However, it is not easy for patients to visit each department individually, and even if opinions differ from department to department, it is not easy to decide on a treatment method,” he said.

He continued, “In this respect, In cancer treatment, multidisciplinary treatment is actively implemented from the beginning through multidisciplinary meetings where various departments gather to discuss patient cases, decide on the optimal treatment method, and explain this to patients and guardians.“It’s happening,” he said. “Brain tumors are also Depending on the patient’s age as well as the location and nature of the tumor, surgery, radiosurgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy may be attempted, so multidisciplinary treatment is essential.“Do it,” he emphasized.

Multidisciplinary treatment of brain tumors typically includes radiology, nuclear medicine, pathology, neurosurgery, radiation oncology, and oncology and hematology.

▲Radiology/Nuclear Medicine=Brain imaging, diagnosis, and response to treatment are assessed. Brain tumors are generally diagnosed through CT (computed tomography) and MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) tests. Cerebral angiography may be performed to determine the distribution of blood vessels around or within the tumor, or PET (proton emission tomography) testing may be performed to check metabolic activity in the suspected area.

▲Pathology Department=After making a pathological diagnosis of a tumor through a microscope, research is conducted to enable customized treatment.

▲Neurosurgery=Surgery or gamma knife radiosurgery to remove the tumor is performed. Gamma Knife radiosurgery is the latest radiation treatment for brain diseases that suppresses tumor growth using short-wavelength gamma rays without incision. However, if the tumor is large, it is difficult to treat with radiosurgery, and if symptoms due to direct pressure on the tumor exist, surgical resection should be considered first.

▲Radiation Oncology=Radiation therapy is performed as an adjuvant treatment after surgery for patients with malignant brain tumors that are difficult to remove surgically because the extent of tumor invasion is large, or for patients in whom it is difficult to remove all of the tumor through surgery.

▲Oncology and Hematology=More specialized chemotherapy is provided to patients who need chemotherapy.

On the other hand, if a tumor occurs on the nerve that connects to the ear, such as an acoustic schwannoma, collaboration with an otolaryngologist is necessary.

Professor Jeong Yeon-hoon of the Department of Otolaryngology at Ajou University Hospital said, “Before surgery, hearing tests and vestibular function tests are performed, and during the surgery, mastoid excision (surgery to grind the mastoid and labyrinth, which are the protruding bones behind the ear) is performed so that the tumor can be safely removed by neurosurgery. “It plays a role in securing the surgical route,” he explained.

There is a great need for multidisciplinary treatment even after brain tumor treatment. This is because additional radiation therapy or chemotherapy may be necessary after surgery, and symptoms such as seizures must be managed and treatment response assessed. Professor Kim Se-hyuk said, “Especially for patients with relapse, the choice of the patient and his or her family is very important when choosing treatment,” and added, “Experts should suggest the optimal treatment by considering not only physical condition but also economic situation.”

In order to achieve the best treatment results All medical staff recognize the need for multidisciplinary care and communicate with an open mindIt is important to do. The patient’s willingness to receive active treatment is also supported.It has to be.

Professor Kim Se-hyuk said, “There are still many prejudices that brain tumors are a disease that cannot be cured and that there is only suffering after treatment, but it can be completely cured through surgery. There are also benign brain tumors, and even if they cannot be completely cured, the tumor can be controlled to prevent further growth through radiosurgery.“You can do it,” he said. Following “Even high-difficulty brain tumors, such as malignant brain tumors, can be treated actively while communicating with experts, so do not give up in advance as quality of life and survival period can be maintained through multidisciplinary treatment.“I hope you will take part in it,” he said.

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2023-09-19 06:29:44

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