Brain cancer is one of the most serious cancers in the world, causing great physical and psychological burdens on patients and their families. As a leading country in global medical research and treatment, the United States has accumulated rich experience and advanced technology in the diagnosis, treatment and management of brain cancer.
1. Accurate identification of brain cancerThe diagnosis of brain cancer is the first step in the treatment process, and accurate diagnosis directly determines the choice of subsequent treatment. In the United States, the diagnosis of brain cancer generally includes the following steps:
Symptoms of brain cancer usually include headaches, nausea, vomiting, visual problems, speech disorders or epileptic seizures. The doctor will conduct a preliminary assessment based on the patient's symptoms and understand the patient's medical history.
Imaging examinations are important tools for diagnosing brain cancer, including:
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): MRI can provide high-resolution images of the brain and is a common method for discovering brain tumors. It can help doctors assess the location, size and relationship of the tumor to surrounding tissues.
Computed tomography (CT): CT scans can quickly provide the morphology and location of tumors, especially when acute symptoms occur.
Positron emission tomography (PET): PET scans can help doctors observe the metabolic activity of tumors and help determine the malignancy of tumors.
By taking a biopsy of the tissue in the suspected tumor area, the type, grade, and whether the tumor is benign or malignant can be confirmed. This is the key to diagnosing brain cancer and its classification.
Brain cancer is usually not staged according to traditional cancer staging systems (such as the TNM system), but the treatment plan is determined based on the size, location, and extension of the tumor. Tumor staging is crucial for subsequent treatment options.
Surgical treatment is one of the common treatments for brain cancer, especially for those tumors that are confined to the brain and easy to remove surgically. Medical institutions in the United States have advanced technology and equipment for brain cancer surgery. The purpose of surgical treatment is usually to remove the tumor as much as possible, reduce brain pressure, and improve symptoms.
Surgical resection of brain tumors is the first choice of treatment, especially for those tumors within the operable range. During the operation, the doctor will determine the extent of the resection based on the location and size of the tumor. Many hospitals in the United States use stereotactic surgery and microsurgery to minimize damage to surrounding normal brain tissue.
Intraoperative neuronavigation technology has become an indispensable tool in modern neurosurgery. By combining MRI or CT images, doctors can locate tumors and important neural structures in real time, thereby improving surgical accuracy and reducing complications.
For some tumors located in important neural areas (such as the area of the cerebral cortex that controls language or motor function), doctors may perform functional neurosurgery, which combines the patient's neurological function status with surgical operations to avoid damaging important brain areas.
Radiotherapy is a treatment method that uses high-energy radiation to kill cancer cells. Radiation therapy is often widely used for tumors that cannot be completely removed by surgery, or as an adjuvant treatment after surgery.
External beam radiotherapy is the most common form of radiotherapy. During treatment, the patient lies on a treatment table and a custom-made hood is used to fix the head to ensure that the radiation is precisely irradiated to the tumor area. Radiotherapy equipment in the United States (such as linear accelerators) can precisely control the direction and dose of radiation to maximize the protection of surrounding healthy tissue.
Stereotactic radiotherapy is a very precise radiation therapy method suitable for small and confined tumors. By using computer guidance, radiation is concentrated to the tumor, while the radiation dose to surrounding normal brain tissue is minimized. This method is usually used for tumors that cannot be completely removed by surgery.
In some cases, doctors may use whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT), especially when brain cancer has spread throughout the brain. Whole brain radiation therapy is often used in combination with other treatments, such as chemotherapy, to destroy any tiny cancer cells.
Chemotherapy is often used to treat brain cancer, especially when the tumor has spread to other parts or cannot be completely removed by surgery. In the United States, chemotherapy is mainly given by mouth and intravenously.
Common chemotherapy drugs include Temozolomide (Temozolomide), Carmustine (Carmustine), etc. Temozolomide is a standard drug for treating malignant brain tumors such as glioblastoma (GBM). It can be given orally or intravenously. Temozolomide can effectively penetrate the blood-brain barrier and enter the tumor area in the brain.
Chemotherapy for brain cancer is often combined with radiotherapy, especially for highly invasive tumors such as glioblastoma (GBM). Through the combined action of chemotherapy drugs and radiation, doctors can kill tumor cells more effectively and reduce the risk of recurrence.
In recent years, targeted therapy and immunotherapy have become a supplement to chemotherapy. These new treatments inhibit the growth and spread of cancer cells by specifically targeting the genes or molecules of cancer cells, with fewer side effects. American researchers have made significant progress in these areas.
Targeted therapy and immunotherapy are at the forefront of brain cancer treatment in recent years. Although these methods are still under research and development, they have shown potential.
Targeted therapy blocks the growth and spread of tumors by targeting specific molecules or genetic changes in cancer cells. For example, some brain tumor cells may express specific gene mutations, and targeted therapy can specifically intervene in these mutations to achieve therapeutic effects.
Immunotherapy fights cancer by enhancing the ability of the patient's own immune system. In the United States, immune checkpoint inhibitors (such as PD-1 inhibitors) have been used to treat many types of brain cancer, especially some tumors that have spread. By regulating the response of the immune system, immunotherapy can more effectively identify and eliminate tumor cells.
Brain cancer treatment is not just about fighting the tumor, but more importantly, it is about ensuring that patients can recover from treatment and enjoy a high quality of life. In the United States, rehabilitation services for brain cancer are relatively complete, involving recovery in multiple aspects such as psychology, language, cognition, and movement.
Physical therapy helps patients recover motor function, especially those with motor impairment caused by brain cancer or treatment. Occupational therapy helps patients recover the ability to carry out daily activities and ensure that they can live independently.
Brain cancer treatment often affects cognitive function, including memory, attention, and executive function. Cognitive therapy and psychological support play a vital role in the patient's recovery process. Hospitals and rehabilitation centers in the United States usually provide comprehensive cognitive function training and psychological support to help patients cope with mood swings, anxiety, and depression after treatment.
Brain cancer patients need long-term follow-up and monitoring after treatment to detect possible recurrence or metastasis. In the United States, patients usually undergo regular MRI scans and neurological examinations to detect problems and intervene as early as possible.
The treatment of brain cancer is a complex and challenging process, covering multiple aspects from diagnosis to surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and rehabilitation management. In the United States, relying on its advanced medical technology, rich clinical experience and innovative treatment methods, brain cancer patients have more treatment options and hope for survival. However, the treatment effect and prognosis vary from individual to individual, so patients should work closely with a professional medical team to develop a personalized treatment plan to achieve the best treatment effect.
