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The term brain tumor covers benign and malignant tumors  within the skull capsue. Compared to other tumors in adults, brain tumors are relatively rare.

Subclassifications:

In principle, we find primary tumors and secondary tumors of the brain.

A primary brain tumor is a tumor that develops directly from the cells of the brain substance or from the cells of the meninges (brain tumor). Depending on how malignant or benign primary brain tumors are and from which tissue they come, brain tumors are further divided into gliomas, ependyomas, medulloblastomas, neurinomas, meningiomas, CNS lymphomas, small cell tumors and other brain tumors. An exact diagnosis is particularly important - the therapy and prognosis sometimes depend on which tumor is present in the brain.

Secondary brain tumors develop when cells from another tumor (e.g. skin cancer, breast cancer or lung cancer) enter the brain and a secondary tumor (metastases) subsequently forms. When it comes to metastases in the brain, a basic distinction is made between settlements in the brain tissue and settlements in the meninges.

Symptoms:

The symptoms of a brain tumor are particularly diverse and can appear in very different ways. Many people with a brain tumor initially have predominantly non-specific symptoms - as the tumor grows, the existing symptoms can worsen and, depending on the exact location of the tumor, new symptoms can arise.

Both malignant and benign tumors can take up a lot of space and thus impair the function of important structures in the brain. Tumors can also grow into neighboring tissue and destroy it. Because the space within the skull is limited, a growing tumor can increase the pressure within the skull, which can lead to headaches, nausea, and vomiting, for example. Impaired memory, hormonal imbalances, seizures, vision problems, dizziness, or changes in mental health may also occur.

Therapy:

In principle, tumors in the brain can be treated with radiation and chemotherapy and surgery. In each individual case, the tissue type, the cell changes, molecular biological characteristics, the stage of the disease and the individual wishes of the patient are crucial. 

Operation:

Some brain tumors can be completely removed surgically. In other patients, the tumor can be surgically reduced to such an extent that the symptoms and prognosis improve, as shrinking the tumor creates better conditions for other treatments (e.g. radiation and chemotherapy).

As a specialist in neurosurgery, I am specialized in the surgical treatment of brain tumors and offer patients - depending on the exact diagnosis - different surgical procedures (e.g. neuronavigation, intraoperative neuro-monitoring, surgery with 5-aminolevulinic acid, intraoperative MR scans).

If the tumor is located near important areas of the brain, the affected brain centers are monitored during the operation using appropriate planning and special examinations. In this way, for example, sensitive and motor functions or the speech center can be protected. The success of the operation can be monitored using imaging techniques during the procedure.

In patients with malignant gliomas that are difficult to distinguish from the surrounding healthy brain tissue, the operation can be performed with the administration of 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA). A few hours before the procedure, patients receive a fluorescent agent that is absorbed by the brain tumor. During the procedure, a blue light is switched on, which causes the tumor cells to fluoresce in a red-violet color - the tumor "glows" under the blue light during the operation and can therefore be completely removed more easily and reliably.

Every operation is preceded by very precise planning. The exact procedure of the operation, aftercare, possible risks and alternatives are discussed calmly in advance. As your doctor, it is particularly important to me that you feel well informed and in good hands at all times during consultation, examination and treatment. I take enough time for every concern and am always personally available to answer any questions you may have before or after a procedure.