Neurosurgery is a relatively new and dynamically developing branch of medicine. Its tasks are diagnostics and treatment of various diseases and injuries of the peripheral and central nervous system. One of the main tasks of neurosurgery is the treatment of the consequences of severe brain pathology, for example, stroke. Nowadays, neurosurgery is rapidly developing abroad. For example neurosurgery in Germany occupies a leading position in the world regarding the number of spinal operations performed by professional neurosurgeons.
Main tasks of neurosurgery
Modern neurosurgery deals with the problems of surgical and non-surgical treatment of a wide range of diseases of the nervous system:
- Epilepsy.
- Spinal injuries.
- Oncological diseases.
- Vascular pathologies.
- Stroke.
- Congenital malformations.
- Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease.
Spinal tumors: symptoms
Back pain is the most common symptom of both benign and malignant neoplasms in the spinal cord. A spinal tumor can progress at different rates. As a rule, malignant neoplasms develop very quickly. On the contrary, benign types of tumors grow slowly, sometimes it may take several years before the first symptoms appear. The pain may increase at night or in the morning. Other symptoms may occur, depending on the type and location of the neoplasm, especially during its intensive growth.
These symptoms include:
- Weakness in the muscles or loss of sensitivity.
- Difficulty walking, sometimes leading to falls.
- Decreased sensitivity to pain, sensations of heat and cold.
- Disorders of the bladder or intestines.
- Paralysis of various parts of the body.
- Scoliosis or other spinal deformity resulting from a large tumor.
Risk factors
Malignant tumors of the spinal cord can develop due to cell mutations and their uncontrolled division. There are several risk factors that contribute to the onset of the disease:
- Genetic predisposition.
- Exposure to ionizing radiation.
- Chronic infections and immune disorders.
- Herpes viruses.
- Chronic poisoning with plumbum or cadmium.
Ways of diagnostics
Spinal tumors are difficult to diagnose because their symptoms resemble those of more common diseases. That’s why it’s important to carefully collect patient’s medical history and conduct a physical and neurological examination. If a spinal tumor is suspected, the doctor may order one or more of the following tests:
- MRI with contrast.
- Computed tomography.
- CT myelography.
- Tumor biopsy.
Neurosurgical treatment
If a brain tumor has been diagnosed, only surgery will be an effective treatment option. Benign neoplasms can be also treated surgically. Conservative therapy will help reduce pain and even cause some improvement, however, this remission will be incomplete and short, and the disease continues to progress further. The surgical treatment of benign tumors gives good results, in most patients working capacity is restored fully.
The results of surgery are largely determined by early and accurate diagnosis. If a spinal tumor was detected, treatment option will depend on many factors.The treatment scheme is selected depending on the size and location of the tumor, as well as its growth rate. There are drugs that slow down the development of the tumor, but they can’t stop the process fully. Surgery is only possible if the spinal tumor has not grown into the meninges. If this has already happened, then only resection of the neoplasm is performed.
If the spinal cord tumor is malignant, an attempt is also made to remove it surgically. This can stop the development of the neoplasm or reduce the symptoms. In this case, the prognosis depends on the size and location of the tumor.
Another treatment procedure is stereotactic radiosurgery with the help of CyberKnife system. It is a remote radiation treatment method which allows doctors to accurately bring a high dose of ionizing radiation to a target area. CyberKnife is a cure chance for patients with tumors that are Inoperable due to their localization (e.g. if the tumor is near a vital nerve or spine).
The best place for receiving neurosurgical treatment
It’s no secret that European countries are developing rapidly in the field of medicine. Nowadays, the most technologically advanced country is Germany. Over the past few years, it has become a world leader in the number of neurosurgical clinics. You can easily get treatment in Germany with the help of Booking Health. The company will help you choose the best clinic and the most suitable treatment programs. Specialists of Booking Health will provide you with comprehensive support and offer the most favorable brain tumor surgery cost.
