As with any major decision, undergoing treatment for a brain tumor requires considerable forethought. You likely want to know the success rate for the procedure.
The following will give you insight into the most common brain tumors our neurosurgeon at Front Range Spine and Neurosurgery treat, the types of surgeries they perform, and the success rate of procedures.
Types of Brain Tumor Our Neurosurgeons Treat
The following are some of the many types of brain tumors our neurosurgeons treat:
Schwannomas
These are benign tumors in adults that form in the nervous system. The most common schwannomas are acoustic neuromas that arise from the eighth cranial and cause serious complications.
Gliomas
This type of tumor begins in the supportive cells (glial cells) of nerves and is classified according to the type of glial cell involved. Common types are astrocytoma’s, ependymomas, and oligodendrogliomas.
Hemangioblastomas
Located in the cerebellum, the hemangioblastoma is a slow-growing tumor originating from blood vessels. It is often accompanied by a cyst and can be large in size. This type of brain tumor is more prevalent in men.
Meningiomas
Accounting for more than 30% of brain tumors, these are the most common primary tumors. As the name suggests, meningiomas originate from meninges. Roughly 85% of meningiomas are benign and affect women more than men.
Neurofibroma
These painless tumors grow on cranial nerves but can develop on nerves anywhere in the body. A genetic disorder, neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), can cause them.
Brain Tumor Treatments
Brain tumor treatment involves surgery, either alone or combined with chemotherapy or radiation therapy. The selected treatment depends on the brain tumor type, size, and location. The most common types of cancer surgeries include:
Curative surgery: As the name indicates, the goal of curative surgery is to remove cancerous cells from the body. This procedure is best for tumors residing completely on top of the brain, not inside it.
Debulking surgery: This involves the removal of a particular portion of the tumor. This is often performed on brain tumors that are partially easy to remove, but may be inside the brain or in a sensitive area, which makes complete removal risky or impossible.
Supportive surgery: In some cases, supportive surgery may be necessary to effectively treat a brain tumor. It is not uncommon for a patient with this condition to have to undergo multiple procedures.
What Is The Success Rate Of Brain Tumor Treatment?
Survival rate gives you a better idea of how likely your brain tumor treatment will be successful. The survival rate is the percentage of people still alive after a certain amount of time (typically five years) with the same type of tumor in the brain after diagnosis.
The exact success rate of a brain tumor treatment can’t be determined precisely. The age of the patient and the size, type, and location of tumor greatly influence the procedure’s success rate. For example, some small brain tumors that can be completely separated from surrounding tissues are easy to remove completely, compared to those that cannot be separated due to their location near sensitive areas of the brain.
However, after a careful and detailed assessment of your specific brain tumor, your doctor may be able to give you an educated guess on the success of the treatment. Your doctor will carefully select the best possible treatment for you in order to increase the chances of success. Keep in mind that once the surgery is performed, complications may arise, which can change the success rate.
Neurosurgeon in Aurora, CO
If you have received a brain tumor diagnosis, visit us here at Front Range Spine and Neurosurgery. Our board-certified neurosurgeons take pride in their expertise, sharp clinical acumen, and dedication to delivering excellent outcomes for cranial conditions, including brain tumors.
Set up an appointment with one of our neurosurgeons by calling (303) 790-1800 today or by filling out our appointment request form.
