First published February 19, 2020
Brain cancer is an incredibly severe and life-threatening form of cancer. Brain cancer may come without much warning and develops as a result of the formation of malignant tumors in the brain. In most cases, the usual route of removing a tumor from the brain would be through a surgical operation. There are some circumstances, however, in which a brain tumor cannot be removed. This can prove to be a complicated situation as most brain tumors are required to be removed through a surgical operation. For individuals or family members who are diagnosed with brain cancer and a tumor that cannot be operated upon, there are still various alternative brain cancer treatments to proceed with.
Discovering an Inoperable Tumor
How is Brain Cancer Diagnosed?
The diagnosis of brain cancer typically begins with a detailed examination of the patient’s symptoms and medical history. If a brain tumor is suspected, various imaging tests are employed to visualize the tumor’s size, location, and impact on surrounding tissues. In some cases, a biopsy may be required to determine the nature of the tumor and the tumor type. The diagnostic process also includes:
- Neurological exams to assess reflexes, muscle strength, vision, and hearing
- Advanced imaging techniques, like a PET or MRI scan, to detect cancerous activity
- Blood tests to rule out other conditions and evaluate the patient’s overall health
Symptoms of Brain Cancer
Identifying the symptoms of brain cancer is key to early diagnosis and brain tumor treatment. Common symptoms include:
- Persistent headaches, often worsening over time
- Changes in vision, such as blurred vision or double vision
- Nausea and dizziness, which can be particularly pronounced in the morning
More severe symptoms can manifest as:
- Seizures, which may be the first sign of a brain tumor in some individuals
- Difficulty in speaking or understanding speech, affecting communication
- Changes in personality or behavior, including mood swings or changes in social interactions
These symptoms, particularly when they persist or worsen over time, can indicate the presence of a brain tumor. It’s important for individuals experiencing such symptoms to seek medical evaluation promptly, as early detection can significantly influence treatment options and outcomes, especially in cases of inoperable brain tumors.
What Makes an Inoperable Tumor, Inoperable?
A brain tumor is deemed inoperable when surgical removal poses too high a risk to the patient’s neurological functions or overall health. In such cases, the location of the tumor within the brain tissue is often a significant factor.1 For instance, tumors deeply embedded in or near sensitive areas that control vital functions, like speech, movement, or vision, are typically considered inoperable brain tumors.2 Furthermore, the size of the brain tumor and its entanglement with critical blood vessels can also make surgical intervention highly risky. The complexity and risks involved in accessing certain areas of the brain often lead surgeons to classify a brain tumor as inoperable.3 The patient’s overall health and the tumor’s response to other treatments are also crucial factors in determining operability.
Options for an Inoperable Tumor
An inoperable tumor may present a tricky situation as patients and their loved ones are at a crossroads of what to do next. With no opportunity for surgery to remove the tumor, it can be challenging to discover what choices are left. How can they provide a healthy situation when there is no hope of operating on their brain tumor? There are options available for patients who have an inoperable brain tumor.
Alternative Holistic Methods
Alternative methods of treating an inoperable brain cancer tumor include natural and non-invasive procedures. Patients may be wondering where they can seek such help. In these types of situations, patients can seek comfort and assurance from the resources available at the Immunity Therapy Center. Through using the help and guidance offered at the Immunity Therapy Center, individuals with an inoperable tumor may find relief during the difficulties they have been facing with brain cancer. The Immunity Therapy Center provides a variety of holistic and natural ways to treat cancer, which can be very beneficial to those individuals with metastatic brain tumors that cannot be operated upon. The Immunity Therapy Center has trained doctors who understand the sensitive situation of combating brain cancer as well as the circumstance of having a brain tumor that cannot be operated upon. Patients and their loved ones who are diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor are in a sensitive situation. The Immunity Therapy Center continues to maintain a facility of natural and alternative treatments to reduce and impact the tumor without the need for operative surgery. The Immunity Therapy Center provides patients with alternative cancer treatments that are less invasive and have fewer side effects than would be experienced during a formal operation.
Treating the Emotional Side Effects
The Immunity Therapy Center has various options to choose from for the treatment of an inoperable brain tumor that would not require surgery. Despite the available options, brain tumors still can impact the physical and emotional well-being of both the patient suffering from the brain tumor and their loved ones, nonetheless. There are methods of dealing with the physical, emotional, and social influences that brain cancer can have, and is called palliative care or supportive care. In addition to treatment, these forms of care are valuable in helping to treat and reduce the brain cancer tumor. Palliative care is focused on the improvement of how a patient feels during their treatment by controlling symptoms and supporting patients and their family members with other demands that are non-medical. Those individuals who reach palliative care have less severe symptoms, maintain a better quality of life, and are more satisfied overall with their treatment.3
Palliative treatments can be different depending upon the situation but usually involve the use of some type of medication, changes in diet and nutrition, methods of relaxation, support in the form of emotional and spiritual well-being, as well as other therapies. Palliative treatment is aimed at assisting in getting rid of the tumor, similar to how chemotherapy, surgery, or radiation therapy would help.3
At Immunity Therapy Center, we focus on an integrative treatment to make sure we help you through every step of the way, both physically and emotionally. A holistic treatment ensures an individualized treatment that you deserve because your cancer and how your body reacts will be unique to you.
Therapy Through Medication
Systemic therapy is a type of therapy that uses medication to kill tumor cells. It’s given through the bloodstream to obtain tumor cells throughout the body. The most common methods to give systemic therapies include an intravenous (IV) tube that is administered into a vein using a needle or into a pill or capsule that can be swallowed. The systemic therapies used to fight cancer cells include those of chemotherapy or targeted therapy.3
An individual can receive a single type of therapy or multiple types of systemic therapy at the same time. A treatment plan may be put together to include radiation therapy with or without the inclusion of something further. It is important to discuss the best methods of noninvasive options for treating an inoperable brain tumor with a healthcare provider. A healthcare provider must know all prescription, over-the-counter medications, or supplements that an individual with brain cancer is taking because herbs, supplements, and other drugs have the likeliness of interacting with whatever medications may be offered for a brain tumor.
Targeted Therapy
Targeted therapy is a treatment that targets the genes, tissue environment, or proteins of the tumor- all of which can contribute to a tumor’s growth. This treatment is beneficial in that it blocks the growth and spreading of tumor cells to surrounding tissue and attempts to limit the damage to healthy cells.3 The types of targeted therapy that easily enter the brain and target specific genetic changes to the tumor include Osimertinib, Alectinib, Lapatinib, and Dabrafenib.3
Support for Every Step of the Way
Whatever your journey with an inoperable brain tumor may be, Immunity Therapy Center is here to provide support at every step. Our team of experts is dedicated to offering personalized care and innovative treatments to help you navigate through this challenging time. We understand that each patient’s journey is unique, and our commitment is to provide support that is tailored to individual needs and circumstances.
References:
- Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. Department of Neurosurgery. Inoperable Brain Tumors.
http://www.neurosurgery.wustl.edu/patient-care/specialties/tumors/inoperable-tumors-120 - Davis, Charle Patrick. Brain Cancer. EMedicineHealth.
https://www.emedicinehealth.com/brain_cancer/article_em.htm#brain_cancer_facts - Cancer.Net. Brain Tumor: Types of Treatment.
https://www.cancer.net/cancer-types/brain-tumor/types-treatment
At Immunity Therapy Center, our goal is to provide objective, updated, and research-based information on all health-related topics. This article is based on scientific research and/or other scientific articles. All information has been fact-checked and reviewed by Dr. Carlos Bautista, a Board Certified Medical Doctor at Immunity Therapy Center. All information published on the site must undergo an extensive review process to ensure accuracy. This article contains trusted sources with all references hyperlinked for the reader's visibility.