Radiation oncologist, Asian Cancer Institute

Asian Hospital and Medical Center

A diagnosis of a brain tumor is sure to send anyone to a state of fear. This is very understandable as we all know how the brain pretty much controls everything about our being. Tumors, i.e. cells that have grown out of control, can occur in any part of the body, including the brain. Those that grow in the brain or near it are considered brain tumors, which can be generally categorized as either benign—growing slowly and less likely to resurface after treatment or spread to other parts of the brain—or malignant—cancerous, aggressive, grows relatively faster, with high rate of recurrence, and can spread to other parts of the brain and body.

Studies show that exposure to certain chemicals, occupation or environmental settings, and some hereditary diseases can increase risk of developing brain tumors. We have to note, though, that being predisposed doesn’t mean you’ll automatically develop tumors in your brain, there’s just a higher possibility compared to the general population.

Depending on the type, size, and location of the tumor, the usual intervention would be surgery and radiotherapy. Upon assessment, doctors can remove either a part of or the entire tumor from the brain. Because we are talking about the brain, it’s normal to consider the risks that come with the treatment. Sometimes, tumors can occur in very sensitive areas like the brainstem, optic nerves, and spinal cord, which means the surgery may come with risks—recovery may take a while and there can be some long-term problems (e.g. difficulty walking, behavior changes, problems with speech), or surgery may not be recommended at all.

Alternatively, doctors can recommend radiotherapy if surgery is not possible. Patients would need several sessions as much as 25 to 30 sessions, depending on the extent of the tumor, to complete the treatment. There are also side effects that come with the treatment. Short-term side effects include hair loss and fatigue, while some patients may experience long-term side effects like mild memory loss or slow cognition or depending on the area being treated. Our patients need a radiation machine that is precise and accurate, especially when their tumors are located near critical areas. We would like to deliver high doses to the tumor and avoid as much of the normal brain as possible.

We are very lucky now in the Philippines, as Asian Hospital and Medical Center is bringing in technology that offers safe, effective, and accurate delivery of radiation treatment to brain tumor patients. As the brain is so delicate, it’s only rational to provide patients with treatment options that are less risky and have minimal potential side effects that could impact their way of life.

CyberKnife is a very precise technology that delivers radiation treatment accurately, it’s non-invasive—no cuts or excision in the brain. Patient just needs to lie down and the machine will adjust to the tumor’s location. CyberKnife has sensors with real-time tumor imaging and once the tumor is locked in, the machine follows it to ensure that radiation is delivered only to the target and nowhere else. So even when the patient moves or breathes, there’s no risk of misdirection. Such precision also allows for shorter treatment times—like one to five sessions only—as we can focus high doses of radiation to kill the tumor cells. There’s also no downtime, patients can return to their usual activities afterwards.

I’ve seen how this has worked wonders in Japan during my training (and according to a lot of studies as well). For us doctors, this technology is a relief—it’s a big help for us in treating patients more accurately and ensuring that they are comfortable and with less worries. There’s nothing more reassuring than bringing hope for the healing of our brain tumor patients with less risks and dangers.

If you or anyone you know can benefit from this technology, please share this good news with them. We at the Asian Cancer Institute at the Asian Hospital and Medical Center will gladly assist you with your questions about CyberKnife. You may reach out to us via our hotline 8-771-9000 local 5913 or send us an email at [email protected]. You can also follow our social media pages for up-to-date information @AsianHospitalPH.