Лечение глиомы в Израиле

Glioma is the most common primary tumor of the brain or spinal cord. Treatment of glioma  in Israel is planned individually, based on the specific type of tumor, its size and localization, and neurosurgeons, neuro-oncologists, radiologists and other specialists participate in the preparation of the treatment plan .

Classification of gliomas

Depending on the cells from which the tumor is formed, gliomas are divided into several types:

• Astrocytomas;
• Epindymomas;
• Oligodendrogliomas;
• Optic nerve gliomas;
• Mixed gliomas, for example, oligoastrocytomas.

Among gliomas, astrocytomas occupy the first place in frequency. They, in turn, are classified according to the degree of malignancy, which is determined by the number of atypical (undifferentiated) cells and necrotic foci.

Treatment of glioma in Israel is planned taking into account the histological type of tumor and the degree of malignancy. For example, slowly growing low-grade astrocytomas can undergo surgical removal, and in some cases, doctors recommend limiting themselves to medical supervision. Anaplastic astrocytoma and  glioblastoma  — poorly differentiated tumors — require surgical removal, as well as conservative measures: chemotherapy and / or radiotherapy. Such neoplasms often recur, and the prognosis of their treatment is unfavorable.

Symptoms of glioma

With the localization of glioma in the brain, the following symptoms may occur:

• Headaches;
• Convulsive attacks
• Nausea, vomiting;
• Visual impairment;
• Sensory-motor disorders;
• Speech disorders;
• Behavior change.

Glioma Diagnosis

The diagnosis of glioma, in addition to visualizing the tumor, assessing its size and localization, is designed to establish the extent to which the presence of a neoplasm affects the functions of the central nervous system, disrupts blood circulation, and also the circulation of cerebrospinal fluid.

• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In the framework of MRI, an image of the structures of the brain and spinal cord is obtained. MRI is the «gold standard» in diagnosis. Treatment of gliomas in Israel also includes repeated MRI procedures to assess the dynamics of the disease. Intraoperative MRI is used to navigate during surgery to remove the tumor;
• Computed tomography (CT) scan. CT makes it possible to detect hemorrhages in the tumor tissue and its infiltration into bone tissue;
• Magnetic resonance spectroscopy. This technique is used to identify the biochemical characteristics of the tumor and, in accordance with the data obtained, draw up a cancer treatment plan  in Israel;
• Positron emission tomography and single photon emission computed tomography. Both methods allow us to assess the state of brain structures involved in the tumor process;
• Angiogram. The check is used to evaluate the blood supply to the tumor and adjacent structures;
• Biopsy. A biopsy is the process of obtaining a small sample of tumor tissue and its pathological examination. Biopsy results are necessary to confirm the diagnosis, determine the type of tumor and its degree of aggressiveness.

Glioma treatment in Israel

Surgical treatment of glioma

Surgical treatment of glioma is performed using modern neurosurgical technologies:

• computer assisted navigation;
• brain surgery while awake;
• intraoperative MRI.

The surgeon’s task during the operation is to resect the tumor to the maximum extent without affecting the critical structures of the brain.

Radiotherapy

Modern radiotherapy techniques allow a significant portion of patients to stop tumor growth and achieve remission. The methods of radiotherapy for glioma include:

• Remote radiation therapy, including three-dimensional conformal;
• Stereotactic radiosurgery;
• Fractional stereotactic radiotherapy.

Glioma chemotherapy

So-called chemoradiotherapy, a combination of radiation and chemotherapy, is often used to treat gliomas.

Experimental treatment of glioma

In the private clinic of Herzliya Medical Center for the  treatment of cancer , including gliomas, gliomas, the latest methods are used, the effectiveness of which has been confirmed by repeated clinical trials. These include  immunotherapy  (biological therapy), which induces the immune system to attack cancerous tumors, and molecular targeted therapy, which selectively affects malignant cells.