5 BRAIN TUMOR MYTHS THAT MAY INFLUENCE TREATMENT BY YOUR NEUROSURGEON

Astronomer Carl Sagan once said, “Science is a way of thinking much more than it is a body of knowledge.” Unfortunately, for most people – including doctors – how we think about things affects what we know to be true and how we solve problems. This human behavior can be attributed to work, relationships, and how we receive or give (in the case of your neurosurgeon) medical care. A recent article compiled by an NYU Langone Medical Center neurosurgeon and published in the July issue of Neurosurgery, suggested that dated assumptions and over-generalizing unique types of cancers are distracting many neurosurgeons from offering the best individualized care. Newport Beach Neurosurgeon Christopher Duma has focused his practice on providing customized treatment for his patients for nearly 30 years.

Five brain tumor myths that may affect your treatment options
Because no brain tumor is alike, it is important to know the different treatment options and brain tumor surgeries available to you. Understanding common brain metastases myths will also empower you when you are discussing treatments with your neurosurgeon:

• Brain metastases typically cause distinct symptoms and do not require regular screenings. The reality is that brain tumors can grow without symptoms. Regular screening can help detect tumors at an early stage before symptoms develop, which can improve survival rates.
• Micrometastases and new, impossible to detect tumors are already accounted for once a cancer has been detected. Instead of assuming that ALL cancer has been accounted for during a screening, frequently monitoring individual tumors can result in better tumor control and increased patient survival.
• The amount of brain metastases determines how to manage the disease. More important than the number is the “total tumor burden” which takes into consideration the scope, size, and number of metastases.
• Whole brain radiation (WBR) is typically not recommended. While WBR is not for every patient due to its risk of causing disabling cognitive dysfunction, the option of WBR should be individually evaluated for each patient. New research is analyzing the way WBR affects thinking and learning.
• Once spread to the brain, tumor cell types all act similarly. Brain tumors do not respond equally to chemotherapy. All cancer patients aren’t at equal risk of relapses. And survival rates are unique to each tumor type and patient. Combining all experiences into one result does not take into consideration different biological differences in brain tumors and the treatment methods that may work for specific types of tumors.

Before beginning treatment for a brain tumor in at our Newport Beach neurosurgery center, it is important for you and your loved one to be clear about your personalized treatment options. As an expert in minimally invasive neurosurgery, Dr. Duma offers greater-than-average remission rates and premium customized care.

To learn more about treatment options with Dr. Duma, call us at (949) 642-6787.