Subependymal Giant Cell Astrocytoma Case Study

A SEGA is a non cancerous tumor that occurs in the brain (TS Alliance). Treatment of this type of tumor is difficult, but possible. Barnes Jewish Hospital located in St. Louis Missouri offers treatment for patients with otherwise inoperable brain tumors. The treatment is provided by new technology that include the ablation of the tumor. Dr. Eric Leuthardt performs this surgery with a system known as the NeuroBlate. This system has been FDA approved for neurosurgery (Barnes Jewish Hospital). By taking a part in a clinical trial using the NeuroBlate technology, many patients are given a normal life

Once a person has been diagnosed with brain cancer, treatment should begin immediately. Treatment for brain tumors involves any combination of surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. Some tumors require several different surgical procedures; some can be treated with radiation alone. Surgery is the best process to remove a brain tumor. Surgery attempts to remove most, if not all of the tumor. Once most of the tumor is removed, the rest of the tumor can be removed through a process called radiotherapy.

Glioblastoma is the most common and aggressive form of malignant brain cancer in adults. On average, 8 of every 100,000 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with glioblastoma every year – representing approximately 2% of all cancers diagnosed [1]. Glioblastoma tumors form when astrocytes, star-shaped cells which support and protect the brain, re-enter the cell cycle and start to rapidly divide. Because the brain is supported by a large network of blood vessels, tumors grow quickly and are difficult to remove surgically. Present treatments for glioblastoma are limited to surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy; however, despite these interventions tumors are likely to regrow. Consequently, typical survival time following glioblastoma diagnosis is less than 2 years.

Glioblastoma (pronounced like gleO blastoma) is an incurable brain cancer,Survival rate is usually measured in months.This became a word that was instantly defined, researched, dissected, feared, and tried to comprehend and understand by family,friends and acquaintances of Larry McKee (McKee)who was personally affected from this single word, it was quickly added to their vocabulary, because of the of the events that transpired on October 22, 2011 that forever changed lives “Glioblastomas are tumors that arise from the astrocytes- the star-shaped cells that make up the “glue-like,” or supportive tissue of the brain. These tumors are usually highly malignant (cancerous) because the cells reproduce quickly and they are supported by a large network of blood vessels.”(A.B.T A..) He was diagnosed with stage four.

The primary ones include these types. Gliomas, the most common brain tumor involving the brain tissue. There are different grades and even types of gliomas. But if the tumor grade is higher, it will probably grow faster. Medullblastomas are brain tumors that in young children. Without treatment it will spread rapidly into the spinal fluid and other parts of the brain. But almost or half of the brain tumors found are benign. These types of brain tumors are usually Meningiomas and Neuromas. Meningiomas begin in the tissue membranes. Neuromas are in the nerves mostly in people over

Tumors can be classified into three types: 1) benign 2) pre malignant 3) malignant tumor. Benign tumors are those which are incapable of abrupt expanding and affecting the other healthy brain tissues. Premalignant tumor is a pre cancerous stage, if not treated properly it may lead to cancers. It is often considered as a disease. Malignant tumor grows rapidly with time an ultimately leads to death of patient. Malignant is a medical term describing a sever growth of a disease. The most common primary brain Tumors are gliomas, wherein 70% are in the group of malignant gliomas, glioblastoma multiform (GBM).The GBM is one of the highest malignant human

Doctors documented a median survival of 36.8 months in patients with T3 lesions going through combined modality treatment; median survival was only 6.4 months if the patient had T4 disease.

The non-invasive conventional MRI is a helpful tool for preoperatively predicting glial tumor grades. However,

“Patients can face modifications in their quality of life due to frequent headaches, nausea, seizures, neurological or cognitive deficits, and insomnia. Furthermore the treatment itself is often toxic and can result in considerable morbidity” (Gazzotti, Mariana, 2011). “Until recently, assessment of treatment response in brain tumor patients has been associated almost exclusively with radiological imaging response (characterized by tumor reduction in tumor dimensions), progression with symptoms and overall survival” (Gazzotti, Mariana, 2011). “In addition, quality of life may also reflect cognitive dysfunctional and functional limitations associated with the disease or as a treatment complication in these patients” (Gazzotti, Mariana, 2011). People suffering from brain cancer already go through an immense number of complications dealing with their disease alone, and the surgeon should really focus on the impact of treatment on the patient’s quality of life. Some common risks of Brain surgery are: bleeding of the brain, blood clots, brain swelling, coma, impaired speech, vision, coordination, or balance, and many more risks are

American Cancer Society says, “The term neuro refers to nerves, while blastoma refers to a cancer that affects immature or developing cells.” It is usually found in the small glands on top of the kidneys. The glands are called adrenal glands. Places where it can develop are the belly, chest, neck, pelvis, and bones. Possible symptoms can include fatigue (a feeling of tiredness or exhaustion or a need to rest because of lack of energy or strength), loss of appetite, and fever. Mayo Clinic says, “There may be a lump or compression of tissues in the affected area.” Treatments for the cancer include surgery or chemotherapy. For smaller tumors that have not spread, surgery is usually the only treatment needed. American Cancer Society, “If the tumor is in the abdomen (belly), the surgeon may do the biopsy with the aid of a laparoscope. This is a long, thin tube with a tiny video camera on the end. It is put into the abdomen through a small incision to allow the surgeon to see inside. The surgeon then makes a second small incision to reach inside the abdomen with long, thin instruments and remove pieces of tumor.” Alex’s original tumor of Neuroblastoma was in her adrenal gland. They did a similar process to Alex for the surgery, except for that they had to make an incision near the kidney to remove the tumor from her

On April 14, 2012, my husband was diagnosed with a Glioma Brain Tumor. Even three and a half years after his diagnosis, I still don’t really know much about Gliomas, so I have decided to research this topic.

-The complete removal of some brain tumors- A sample to enable doctors to diagnosis the tumor and recommend the most appropriate treatment

Glioblastoma Multiforme is an extremely aggressive brain tumor that can drastically alter how the body moves, a person’s memory, vision, emotion, thought, etc (GBM Guide). Having something in your brain that has the potential to drastically

Neuro endoscopy is relatively latest treatment for nervous system in the field of brain surgery. Neuro endoscopy is minimal invasive treatment in which surgeon does tumor resection through a small hole in the skull without harming other parts of skull. Neuro endoscopy is also used for performing ventriculostomy, a neurosurgical procedure that involves finding cerebral ventricle through skull hole and removing CSF flow (sometimes-called ventricular drainage) externally by penetrating through ventricle. Neuro endoscopy procedure has several advantages over conventional brain surgeries like: less pain, lesser time of operation and more safety.

Common malignant brain cancers increase significantly according to statistical data collected by the National Cancer Institute. In 1984, the annual incidence rates of primary brain tumor and primary brain lymphoma also increased notably, the rate of lymphoma almost tripling,