subject: What You Should Know About Cyberknife Treatment For Neurofibroma [print this page] What You Should Know About Cyberknife Treatment For Neurofibroma
Neurofibroma is a condition wherein there is a tumor growth anywhere in the peripheral nervous system. It is an inherited disorder, and it can grow in bones, skin, nervous system, and skin. The most common type of cells that are affected is the Schwann cell.
In this site, you will learn more about this disease, how it affects the human body and how it can change a person's life. You will also know more about its symptoms and the different treatment modalities that are used to manage it, specifically the cyberknife treatment for neurofibroma.
The cause of the disease
There is no known cause for this condition, but it is thought to be inherited. Experts also suggest that there are some factors that can trigger the normal Schwann cells to alter their form, and these factors include the following:
* a recent surgery or trauma that affected the peripheral nervous system
* diet that is rich in fat, oils, and sweets
* smoking and increased consumption of alcohol
* existing diseases and infections
* as a side effect of some drugs
* toxic chemicals in the environment
* a stressful lifestyle
The symptoms of the disease
The signs and symptoms of this condition are commonly noted on the skin. The person might feel an itching, burning, or tingling sensation. There are also unusual pigmentations on the skin, which can eventually develop into macules. The person may also note freckles appearing in his underarm.
The persons affected
Unlike other tumor growths, neurofibromas affect both men and women equally, and it can develop in any race. The signs and symptoms might start to appear at early teens and severe manifestation of the disease can be felt at adulthood.
The treatment procedures used
The common treatment modality for neurofibromas is surgery. The surgeon will remove that tumor that impedes the function of the peripheral nervous system to relieve the symptoms of the disease. However, this method is painful and there is no guarantee that the tumor is completely removed.
Another treatment modality is chemotherapy. It uses active anti-cancer drugs to decrease the tumor size, or to totally eradicate it. Nevertheless, it poses a lot of side effects, such as hair loss, constipation, dizziness, depression, and hair loss.
A common and ideal treatment intervention is radiation therapy, and cyberknife treatment for neurofibroma is an example of this. Unlike the two, this procedure is safer to use because it is painless and it will not kill other healthy cells in the body. It also does not cause a lot of side effects.
Radiation therapy uses low frequency gamma rays to remove the tumor. What is good about this is that the radiation is only emitted directly to the site of the tumor, and it will not damage the surrounding tissues or the organs in which it passes by.
Colorado Cyberknife is one of the leading centers in the United States that offer a state-of-the-art radiation therapy intervention. The center also practice advance cyberknife treatment for neurofibroma.
