Low-grade gliomas are typically treated using a combination of the following methods:
- Surgery
- Remove as much of the tumor as possible while minimizing damage to surrounding brain tissue. The extent of surgical removal can significantly affect prognosis. Complete or near-complete resection is ideal but depends on the tumor's location and involvement with critical brain structures. To ensure this, GW neurosurgeons utilize an intraoperative MRI to provide Realtime assessment during the surgery.
- Radiation Therapy: Often recommended if the tumor cannot be completely removed surgically or if it recurs after surgery.
- External Beam Radiation Therapy: The most common form of radiation therapy, external beam radiation therapy directs high-energy beams at the tumor from outside the patient’s body.
- Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy drugs are designed to target and kill cells that grow and divide rapidly, which is a characteristic of cancer cells. Chemotherapy remains a cornerstone of cancer treatment, often used in combination with surgery, radiation therapy, and newer targeted treatments to achieve the best possible outcomes.
- Targeted Therapy: Targeted therapy is a type of cancer treatment that uses drugs or other substances to precisely identify and attack cancer cells, usually by focusing on specific molecules involved in the growth, progression, and spread of cancer. This approach differs from traditional chemotherapy, which generally attacks all rapidly dividing cells, both cancerous and normal.
- Clinical Trials Participation: Patients may have the opportunity to participate in clinical trials investigating new treatments, such as novel drugs, immunotherapies, or advanced radiation techniques.
A team of specialists, including neurosurgeons, neuro-oncologists, radiation oncologists, and supportive care professionals, typically collaborates with you and your loved ones/caregivers to tailor the treatment plan to the individual patient's needs and circumstances. Regular follow-up and monitoring by your GW Cancer Center multidisciplinary team are essential to assess the treatment's effectiveness and manage any side effects or complications.
