Recent statistics reveal a significant increase in the potential for complete cure of brain tumors, with over 90% success rates reported for benign tumors through surgical excision
Benign brain tumors, although non-cancerous, can cause complications and require individualized treatment plans. Benign brain cancer can alter the normal neurological circuit of the brain causing complications in treatment.
On the other hand, glioblastoma, known for its aggressive nature, presents significant challenges in treatment, with low survival rates and resistance to current therapies.
Tailored approaches are required to address the unique characteristics of each type of brain tumor.
Before understanding the treatment of brain cancer, let us know the early symptoms to detect brain tumors.
What are the 5 early symptoms of a brain tumor?
It is important to catch the following symptoms of brain tumors early as timely detection can have a positive impact on treatment outcomes.
1. Headaches
Headaches, especially those that worsen with activity or in the early morning, are the most common symptom of brain tumors. They can occur if a growing brain tumor presses on healthy cells around it or causes swelling in the brain that increases pressure in the head.
2. Seizures
Brain tumors can cause different types of seizures, including motor seizures (convulsions) and sensory changes such as sensation, vision, smell, hearing, and taste. If you lose consciousness, then you should immediately consult your doctor.
3. Vision Changes
Changes in vision, such as blurriness, double vision, or loss of peripheral vision, can be early signs of a brain tumor. Your tumor can affect the optic pathway responsible for vision.
4. Nausea and Vomiting
Nausea and vomiting, especially when persistent and not associated with other known causes, can be indicative of increased pressure inside the brain caused by a tumor.
5. Balance and Coordination Problems
Brain tumors can cause problems with balance, walking, and coordination, especially when the tumor affects specific areas of the brain, such as the cerebellum at the back of the head.
Can brain tumors be cured permanently?
Brain tumors can be challenging to treat. The survival rate in the case of brain tumors is influenced by several elements, including the type of tumor, its growth rate, its location within the brain, genetic changes in the tumor cells, and the possibility of complete removal through surgery.
The following are the treatment possibilities:
- For benign tumors that can be completely removed, a cure is likely.
- Malignant tumors, on the other hand, may sometimes be cured if caught early and depending on factors such as their location and grade.
- Even if a brain tumor cannot be cured, treatment might shrink the tumor, slow its growth, and control symptoms for some time, improving the condition of the patient.
It’s important to note that brain tumors can be either malignant (cancerous) or benign (noncancerous). They can impact brain function if they grow large enough, or if they press on surrounding nerves, blood vessels, and tissue
Can brain tumors be cured without surgery?
The treatment of brain tumors without surgery is possible, but in cases where it cannot be removed completely, or when there is a need to shrink the tumor size after surgery.
In some cases, especially for low-grade brain tumors, surgery may be the only treatment needed, particularly if the entire tumor can be removed, and your loved ones are young.
However, if you have a visible tumor after surgery, then the oncologists may prescribe radiation therapy and chemotherapy.
Very specifically, Non-surgical options for brain tumors may include radiation therapy, chemotherapy, stereotactic laser ablation, and clinical trials for innovative treatments.
What are the chances of survival for brain tumor patients?
The survival of your loved ones depends on their age and the location of the tumor as mentioned earlier.
For patients with non-malignant brain tumors, the average five-year relative survival rate is 91.8%. The most common primary non-malignant brain tumor, meningioma, has an average five-year survival of 88.2% after diagnosis.
For patients with malignant brain tumors, the five-year relative survival rate following diagnosis is 35.7%. The most common form of primary malignant brain tumor, glioblastoma, has a five-year relative survival rate of only 6.9% and a median survival of 8 months.
What are the New Medicines in Brain Tumour Treatment?
Recent advancements in brain tumor treatment have shown promising developments in the form of new medications and treatment approaches.
Following is the list of drugs that are undergoing clinical trials and are showing promise in brain tumor treatment and care.
Vorasidenib (Mutant IDH1/2 Inhibitor)
Vorasidenib, a medication known as a mutant IDH1/2 inhibitor, ( IDH1/2 is a mutant gene) has shown positive results in increasing progression-free survival for patients with IDH mutant low-grade gliomas. In a study of 331 people with glioma, vorasidenib was effective in lengthening the period before the patients’ cancer worsened, with no observed adverse effects.
Selinexor (New Class of Anti-Cancer Drugs):
A clinical trial found that selinexor, an anti-cancer drug, was able to shrink tumors in almost a third of patients with recurrent glioblastoma, an aggressive brain cancer.
Letrozole for Glioblastomas
Research at the University of Cincinnati has shown promising results for the use of a drug called letrozole to treat glioblastomas. Early results have indicated that the drug is reaching its target of the brain tumor tissue safely.
Nanoparticle-Based Treatment for Glioblastoma
A nanoparticle-based treatment has been developed to target multiple culprits in glioblastoma. The treatment uses bioadhesive nanoparticles that adhere to the site of the tumor and slowly release synthesized nucleic acids, which target molecules associated with tumor growth.
These recent developments in brain tumor treatment represent significant progress in finding new and more effective treatment options for various types of brain tumors
What is the Role of MedicoExperts in the Treatment of Brain Tumors?
MedicoExperts plays a crucial role in evaluating and determining the best treatment options for brain tumor patients. The MedicoExperts Tumor Board is involved in evaluating treatment options for cancer patients, including chemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgery, and targeted therapy.
The research panel in the board specifically designs strategies to fight against cancer, while medical oncologists apply chemotherapy and targeted therapy to treat cancer. The MedicoExperts tumor board can help determine the best treatment sequencing and combination of therapies for individual cancer patients’ outcomes, ultimately improving the life expectancy of patients by deciding on the right choice of treatment.
Conclusion :
The potential for a complete cure of brain tumors depends on various factors, including the type and grade of the tumor, as well as the effectiveness of the treatment.
If you or your loved ones have a benign brain tumor, it can be cured completely by surgical excision, while for malignant tumors, survival can be prolonged by chemotherapy and radiotherapy after surgery.
Furthermore, the WHO classification of tumors of the central nervous system indicates that grade I tumors are considered curable if they can be effectively treated
Additionally, for some patients with brain tumors ( for those whose brain tumor is not affecting the vital nerves), complete recovery without long-term neurological problems is possible.
It’s important to note that the treatment of brain tumors has improved significantly over the years, with advancements in medicine, microsurgery, and various treatment modalities
However, the potential for a complete cure depends on the specific characteristics of the tumor.
FAQ :
Q1. Can you fully recover from a brain tumor?
If you have a grade I brain tumor or if your brain tumor is benign, you can fully recover from it.
Q2. Is brain tumor 100% curable?
Even a brain tumor is 100% curable if it is not putting pressure on an important nerve or is benign in nature.
Q3. Which brain tumor is not curable?
Grade IV brain tumor or glioblastoma is incurable with a very short survival time.
Written by Dr Subhamoy Mukherjee, Ph.D. (Oncology).
Dr Subhamoy is a molecular oncologist and worked with genomic profiles of patients. He has 8 years of experience in scientific writing and patient data analysis. He takes strong interest in making people aware of the different diagnostic and treatment approaches of cancer through his informative articles and blogs.
