Minimally Invasive Brain Tumor Treatment

Minimally Invasive Brain Tumor Surgery is extensively used by neurosurgeons nowadays whenever these techniques can achieve comparable or even better results when put against standard open surgical approaches. Modern state-of-the-art minimally invasive neuro-navigation techniques basically minimize the size of incisions & therefore effectively allow plastic surgeons to cosmetically hide scars as well.

What is Keyhole Brain Tumor Surgery?

Concept of keyhole brain tumor surgery is to safely remove brain & skull base tumors through small & precise openings which minimize collateral damage to brain, scalp, nerves & blood vessels. Medical advances over the past few decades have improved brain & skull base anatomical understanding of neurosurgeons. This is why a majority of brain & skull base tumors nowadays can be removed through minimally invasive brain tumor approaches by using small craniotomy or an approach through nostrils.

Tumors which can be Treated Using Minimally Invasive Brain Tumor Surgery

Common & uncommon brain & skull base tumors which can be treated using minimally invasive approaches include the following.

• 1. Meningioma
• 2. Glioma, Glioblastoma & Astrocytoma
• 3. Arachnoid Cyst
• 4. Chordoma
• 5. Craniopharyngioma
• 6. Schwannoma (Trigeminal & Vestibular)
• 7. Metastatic Brain Tumors
• 8. Epidermoid Cyst
• 9. Colloid Cyst
• 10. Pineal Region Tumors
• 11. Olfactory Neuroblastoma (Esthesioneuroblastoma)
• 12. Intraventricular Tumors
• 13. Hemangioblastoma

Minimally Invasive Keyhole Surgical Approaches

Ideal surgical approach which is most suited for a patient is determined by the type & location of the specific tumor. Regardless of the chosen approach, goal of minimally invasive brain tumor treatment remains to maximize removal of tumor while minimizing manipulation of critical structures in order to avoid complication & disfigurement of the patient. Apart from these factors it is also meant to promote a rapid & complete recovery which is less painful. 

Common Minimally Invasive Approaches for Brain Tumor Surgeries

• Supraorbital Eyebrow Approach – This type of approach is useful for many patients with craniopharyngiomas, meningiomas & other tumors located near pituitary gland & optic nerves. It is also ideal for gliomas & metastatic brain tumors located in frontal & temporal lobes. This versatile minimally invasive approach minimizes disruption of normal tissue & brain retraction in order to allow a more direct approach to lesions. Typically performed with help of an endoscope for further visualization, patients are found to recover better & to have good cosmetic long-term outcomes.
• Endoscopic Expanded Endonasal Approach – Traditional approach to remove tumors close to brainstem is a more invasive approach involving a long incision behind & below the ear. Moreover, this takes hours of bone drilling just to reach the tumor. Surgeons with extensive training in minimally invasive brain tumor surgery are able to offer an alternative known as the ‘Endoscopic Expanded Endonasal Approach’ in cooperation with otolaryngologists. This technique allows neurosurgeons to pass a camera along with specialized surgical tools to the back of nasal passage & then directly to various areas of skull base without any scarring. This technique also permits a shorter period of time for recovery. The Endoscopic Expanded Endonasal Approach or EEA Surgery in short, represents a newer advancement in neurosurgery & which is fast becoming a preferred surgical approach for a large number of minimally invasive brain tumor surgery.

Brain Tumor Surgery Cost in India

The costs of treatment for brain tumor vary depends on several factors:

1. 1. Type of the brain tumor.
2. 2. Site of tumor within the brain.
3. 3. The type of surgery. It may be decompression of tumor or biopsy or excision of tumor.
4. 4. Requirement of post-surgical needed treatment like medical college, corporate hospital, nursing home, etc.

India is the best destination for treatment of brain tumor as India has numbers of world class brain hospitals. Brain Tumor surgery cost in India is comparatively low as compared with rest f the world. World's top Neurosurgeon are also present in India. Success rate of these surgeries is quite high in India.