Brain Tumor Treatment


The most common treatment for brain tumors is surgery. For some tumors, surgical removal and continued monitoring may be the only treatment needed.

The most common type of surgery to remove a brain tumor is a craniotomy. This procedure involves making an incision in the scalp and removing a piece of bone from the skull to give the neurosurgeon access to the tumor. Carefully planned surgical procedures can help the neurosurgeon address challenging skull base tumors.

Other surgical techniques use an endoscopic approach, which may be less invasive. Endoscopic endonasal surgery, for instance, can reach brain tumors through the natural opening of the nose.

Neurosurgeons may be able to treat a brain tumor with MRI-guided laser ablation or laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT), which use computer technology to precisely locate a tumor and destroy the cancerous cells with laser beams or heat.

Radiation therapy uses X-rays and other forms of light energy to destroy cancer cells or prevent the tumor from growing. The two types used to treat brain tumor are external beam radiation therapy and stereotactic radiosurgery.

There is more hope than ever before for people with brain tumors. Research has helped to create advanced treatments such as tumor-treating fields and other innovations.

Treatments, Tests and Therapies