Brain and spinal cord tumors present unique challenges that require specialized, state-of-the-art treatments. Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi is at the forefront of innovative neurosurgical techniques and personalized cancer therapies, ensuring that patients receive the best possible care. This article explores advanced treatment options that improve survival rates and quality of life for individuals diagnosed with brain and spinal tumors.
Personalized Approach to Tumor Treatment
Treatment for brain and spinal cord tumors is customized based on several factors, including tumor type, size, location, and the patient’s overall health. The multidisciplinary team at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi collaborates to develop individualized treatment plans, combining surgery, radiation, and medical therapies.
Minimally Invasive Neurosurgery for Tumor Removal
Surgical intervention is often the first-line treatment for brain and spinal tumors, aiming to remove as much of the tumor as possible while preserving critical neurological functions.
1. Neuronavigation-Assisted Surgery
- Real-time imaging guidance allows surgeons to navigate delicate brain and spinal structures with precision, minimizing damage to healthy tissues.
- Enhanced accuracy improves tumor resection rates and reduces postoperative complications.
2. Awake Brain Surgery
- Used for tumors located near eloquent areas of the brain responsible for speech, movement, and cognition.
- The patient remains awake to provide real-time feedback, ensuring vital functions are preserved.
3. Minimally Invasive Endoscopic Surgery
- Small incisions and endoscopic tools enable tumor removal with less trauma, reduced recovery time, and minimal scarring.
- Ideal for tumors deep within the brain or near the skull base.
To explore surgical options, visit Brain and Spinal Tumor Treatment.
Advanced Radiation Therapy for Targeted Tumor Destruction
Radiation therapy is a non-invasive approach that targets tumors with high-energy rays, preserving healthy tissues.
1. Stereotactic Radiosurgery (Gamma Knife & CyberKnife)
- Non-surgical radiation treatment delivering high-dose beams to tumors with sub-millimeter precision.
- Reduces radiation exposure to healthy tissues, leading to fewer side effects.
2. Proton Beam Therapy
- Unlike traditional radiation, proton therapy delivers energy directly to the tumor, reducing damage to surrounding tissues.
- Beneficial for tumors in sensitive areas like the brainstem and spinal cord.
Medical Therapies: Chemotherapy & Targeted Therapy
Medical treatments play a crucial role in managing malignant tumors, either alone or in combination with surgery and radiation.
1. Standard Chemotherapy
- Uses anti-cancer drugs to kill tumor cells or prevent their growth and division.
- Often administered in cycles to maximize effectiveness while allowing normal tissues to recover.
2. Targeted Therapy
- Focuses on specific genetic mutations or proteins in cancer cells, reducing damage to normal tissues.
- Examples include EGFR inhibitors and angiogenesis blockers that slow tumor growth.
Revolutionizing Cancer Treatment with Immunotherapy & Clinical Trials
1. Immunotherapy
- Stimulates the body’s immune system to recognize and attack tumor cells.
- Checkpoint inhibitors block proteins that prevent immune cells from attacking cancer.
2. Clinical Trials & Experimental Therapies
- Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi is involved in groundbreaking research, offering access to novel treatments before they become widely available.
- Gene therapy, vaccine therapy, and CAR T-cell therapy are emerging as promising future treatments.
A New Era in Brain and Spinal Tumor Treatment
With minimally invasive surgeries, precision radiation, and innovative drug therapies, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi provides cutting-edge care to patients facing brain and spinal cord tumors. By integrating the latest advancements in medical science, the hospital ensures better outcomes and improved quality of life.
