subject: CyberKnife treatment for schwannoma [print this page] CyberKnife treatment for schwannoma CyberKnife treatment for schwannoma
Aschwannoma or schwann cell tumor is also called as an "acoustic neuroma" or neurelemmoma.These tumor cells are comprised only of schwann cells and stay on the outer portion of the nerve or nerve sheath of the cranial nerves along side the areas of brainstem and cerebellum. The most common schwannoma arises on the vestibulo-cochlear nerve or cranial nerve VIII, having it called as acoustic neuroma. This affects the internal auditory canal causing hearing loss and ringing sensation in the ear called tinnitus. These cells are usually benign but there are instances that as the tumor increases its size, it may push the nerve aside and/or against the surrounding bony structures causing possible damage and further complications. When brainstem is compressed, it may result to loss of balance and coordination, vertigo, facial weakness and numbness and difficulty of swallowing. It may also affect arise from the trigeminal nerve that may manifest facial pain. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is one of the known ways to determine the occurrence of the disease. It may be done with or without a contrast. Biopsy is not suggested with this type of condition. When it comes to treatment for schwannoma, options include surgery, stereotactic radiosurgery like gamma knife and CyberKnife.
The removal of schwannoma or schwann cell tumor is done through a retro-sigmoid craniotomy, depending on its size and location. This procedure puts the nerve under the effect of anesthesia. Then, with a microscope and intra-operative electrophysiological monitoring, the nerve is opened. Then, the tumor is carefully removed from the affected area. This is to preserve the functions of nearby structures. It is an effective way to resolve pain, weakness and paresthesia in the majority of the patients. Other than the typical surgical risk like reactions to anesthesia and infection, paralysis and numbness may also occur even after the procedure. Though they rarely happen, they are possible depending on various factors like the tumor's size and location. Thus, physical therapy is recommended post operatively to restore motor functions. However, if a schwannoma is particularly large, another option will be the Gamma Knife radiation therapy to shrink the tumor. This may be done before the surgery since smaller tumors are easier to remove and reflects lower risk of nerve damage. In this procedure, 201 beams are focused on to the tumor in a single session, causing a short-term shrinkage of the tumor due to its necrosis. Another type is the CyberKnife treatment for schwannoma. It makes use of higher dosage of radiation beam to precisely target a specific tumor. It manages to locate the hard-to-reach tumors in all angles. This type of treatment is non invasive. No scalpels are used. No screws are used. It is painless and basically done in an out-patient basis. It reflects no serious complication like hemorrhage and being under the sedation. No post-recovery time is needed. A patient can go back to his usual way of life after the procedure.
Known for the effective CyberKnife treatment for schwannoma is the Colorado CyberKnife facility. It makes use of a small machine attached to a robotic arm and is guided by an X-ray to exactly locate the tumor. The facility provides individual planning treatment to every patient as based to his condition and other external factor. Having established as the world's 1st CyberKnife VSI facility in the world, they have been recognized universally in the field of oncology.
