Skull base tumors are quite challenging to treat, given their vicinity to vital structures and their irregular shape. Skulls base tumors are of two types- simple and complex. The two types vary depending on their location as to how near they are to the vital tissues of the skull. These tumors may also develop in the sinus area that lies below the skull base. Most of the tumors are non-cancerous and have a very slow growth expanded over some time. However, some tumors may be cancerous that poses a risk of their spread to the other parts of the body.
Radiosurgery- the right treatment for skull base tumors
Radiosurgery involves irradiation of tumors by targeting radiations through different angles. The radiations focus on the Skull Base Tumor to prevent radiation exposure to the surrounding normal, healthy structures. Usually, older patients who are 60 years and above opt for Cyberknife Radiosurgery for skull base tumors. Apart from this, people who are immunocompromised or cannot undergo an operation due to the large size of the tumor also go for Cyberknife Radiosurgery. In some cases, patients of the younger age group choose Cyberknife Radiosurgery to prevent an operation for their condition. The accuracy and precision of CKRS make it a preferable choice for the treatment of skull base tumors.
Choosing Cyberknife system for Radiosurgery of Skull Base Tumors
Unlike other treatment procedures, the Cyberknife system is the most advanced form of treatment procedure for Skull Base Tumors. The system helps to treat various tumors of the brain like skull base tumors with highly focused radiation and accuracy. The robotic arm delivers the radiation without any exposure to the surrounding normal tissues. Providing instant relief from the symptoms, a session of Cyberknife Radiosurgery lasts for one hour or more. The number of sessions and their length, however, depend on the size and severity of your skull base tumor.
FAQs
Most doctors prefer to go for Cyberknife Radiosurgery for Skull Base Tumors after surgery. This is because these tumors aren’t completely removed because of their proximity to vital structures. As surgical removal is unsafe for these tumors, radiation therapy is a good choice to cure them completely.
The growth of skull base tumors may be rapid or slow depending on the type of tumor. However, some symptoms that accompany these tumors are ringing in the ears, headache, or problems with balance, vision, and hearing.
A majority of these tumors are painless with little to no symptoms. As they are painless, skull base tumors don’t hurt the patients bearing them.
There are no specific causes of skull base tumors but there are involved risk factors. These factors may include exposure to chemicals or a history of radiation therapy to treat an infection of the head & neck.
The only difference between the two is that cyberknife radiosurgery has more accuracy than traditional radiation therapy.