Brain Tumour Surgery
Brain Tumour
Brain tumour is one of the most common neuro conditions that is treated in India. A brain tumor is an abnormal growth of cells within the brain, which can be cancerous or non-cancerous (benign). It is defined as any intracranial tumour created by abnormal and uncontrolled cell division, normally either in the brain itself (neurons, glial cells), in the lymphatic blood vessels, in the cranial nerves (myelin-producing Schwann cells), in the brain envelopes (meninges), skull, pituitary and pineal gland or spread from cancers primarily located in other organs (metastatic tumors). Persistent Headache, sudden loss of consciousness, giddiness or vomitting are some of the early symptoms of Brain Tumour. The primary modality for diagnosing Brain Tumours is CT Scan while advanced modality would be an MRI Brain and MRI Spectroscopy. Contrast Enhanced CT Scan can tell the location, size and to some extent the nature of the tumour whether it is malignant or benign. However Contrast MRI would give a very good idea about the nature and the type of the cancer which ultimately determines the line of treatment. Some of brain tumours are very aggressive and even if they are removed through surgery they would recur very quickly unless chemotherapy or radiotherapy is given after the surgery. The biggest challenge in the brain tumour surgery is to protect the normal tissue and not to leave any cancerous tissue after the surgery.
Brain Tumour Surgery In India
Surgery is usually the first treatment for most brain tumors. With advances in imaging, early diagnosis, sophisticated planning, preoperative anaesthetic management, special microscopes and surgical instruments it is possible to remove significant amounts of brain tumour through brain tumour surgery with relative safety. The advent of PET CT, IGRT and Gamma knife surgery (stereotactic radio surgery) is revolutionizing the treatment of various problems in the brain, including benign brain tumours in treacherous locations, like the brain stem or near the optic nerve. The best results in Brain Tumour Surgery are achieved by the usage of High Precision Surgical Microscopes and highly skilled surgeons. In order to achieve best results Hospital should be equipped with the most advanced diagnostic modalities like 360 Degree MRI and High Speed Spiral CT Scan. Unlike the cancers in other body parts where the surgeon tries to remove as much as possible, the surgery for brain tumour has to be very precise which means that no live tissue of the brain should be removed even if some cancerous tissue is left behind in the surgery which can then be removed through Gamma Knife or Radiation. Brain Tumour Surgery is one of the most challenging surgery for any surgeon or hospital and requires great surgical skills and experience.
Types of Brain Tumours
Brain Stem Tumour – This is the most difficult of the brain tumour. Brain Stem stores all the functions of our body and any tumour in this area affects the functioning of our body organs. When the surgeon tries to remove the malignant tumour if any live tissue is removed then there would be deficit in the patient after the surgery. Intraoperative MRI helps in differentiating between the malignant tumour and live healthy tissue. The experience of the surgeon is of great importance in such cases
Meningioma – This is a very slow growing tumour and is found in the membrane which covers the brain. Almost 90% of meningiomas are benign and the causes could be previous head injury or high levels of progesterone. Women are more likely to have this tumour.
Astrocytomas – These usually arise in the largest part of the brain, the cerebrum. They often cause seizures or changes in behavior.
Cost of Surgery and Best Neurosurgeons
Brain tumors are classified as grade I, grade II, grade III or grade IV. The most common type of primary brain tumors among adults are astrocytoma, meningioma and oligodendroglioma. The most common type of primary brain tumors in children are medulloblastoma, grade I or II astrocytoma, ependymoma, and brain stem glioma. Healthcare Costs in India are already lower as compared to other western countries. Cost for Brain Tumour Surgery in Delhi, Gurgaon and northern part of India is approx USD 5000 – 10000. However some cases require a combination of Brain Tumour Surgery followed by Gamma Knife Surgery and the cost of the two procedures combined would be in the range of 10-12 thousand US Dollars. Tumours which are less than 1 cm in size can be removed by Gamma Knife without resorting to an open surgery. For query please contact or whatsapp at +91-9810333738 or email to info@theihc.in
Dr. V.S.Mehta and Dr Rana Patir are considered as top neurosurgeons in the world for Brain Stem Tumour. Dr Sandeep Vaishya is considered as one of the best neurosurgeon in India when it comes to Gamma Knife Surgery for Brain Tumour.
