Tumor Resections of the Brain or Spine
Tumor resections of the brain or spine are done to excise a tumor located in an accessible part of the brain or spine. The primary goal of this procedure is to o a tissue diagnosis in order to direct the most appropriate treatment, such as radiation and/or chemotherapy.
This procedure aims to remove as much (if not all) of the tumor as possible, and in the process, relieve symptoms and slow down the deterioration of neurological function.
Not all tumors are operable. Inoperable tumors are usually near or attached to structures in the brain, which can cause severe damage to the brain or nervous system if disturbed during surgery.
In cases like these, alternative treatment options are sought to shrink the tumor, and reduce the negative neurological symptoms a patient experiences.
Several tests are needed in order to determine whether to go on with resection, or to explore other treatment options. Aside from various imaging tests show the size, shape and location of the tumor, there are cases when a biopsy may be performed in order to determine the course of treatment.
A biopsy for a brain tumor may be done by drilling a small hole in the skull in order to remove a small sample of the tumor surgically, or through inserting a hollow needle. This sample is then analyzed by a pathologist, in order to determine what kind of cells it contains and whether it is benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous), in order to plan the most appropriate course of treatment.
Chemotherapy or radiation therapy may be needed after surgery, in order to kill the remaining cancer cells that could not be surgically removed.
Some tumors may originate within the brain or spine (primary tumors), while others may spread to the brain or spine from other locations (secondary “metastatic” tumors). Many metastatic brain or spine tumors may not require surgery, unless they affect a patient’s neurological functions. In these cases, the Neurosurgeon may decide if the surgery is necessary.
Tumor Resections of the Brain or Spine in Orange County, San Bernardino County, Riverside County and Los Angeles County:
- Tumor Resections of the Brain or Spine in and near Anaheim
- Tumor Resections of the Brain or Spine in and near Colton
- Tumor Resections of the Brain or Spine in and near Corona
- Tumor Resections of the Brain or Spine in and near Garden Grove
- Tumor Resections of the Brain or Spine in and near Irwindale
- Tumor Resections of the Brain or Spine in and near La Mirada
- Tumor Resections of the Brain or Spine in and near Long Beach
- Tumor Resections of the Brain or Spine in and near Los Angeles
- Tumor Resections of the Brain or Spine in and near Ontario
- Tumor Resections of the Brain or Spine in and near Perris
- Tumor Resections of the Brain or Spine in and near Temecula
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