Brain Cancer Awareness Month is observed annually in May. This month is dedicated to raising awareness about brain tumors, their symptoms, treatment options, and the importance of research.
A brain tumor is an abnormal growth of tissue in the brain or central spine that can disrupt proper brain function. Doctors refer to a tumor based on where the tumor cells originated, and whether they are cancerous (malignant) or not (benign). Brain tumors can be deadly, significantly impact the quality of life, and change everything for a patient and their loved ones. They do not discriminate, inflicting men, women, and children of all races and ethnicities.
Some Key Facts about brain cancer:
- Brain tumors are the most common type of cancer in children.
- Glioblastoma is the most aggressive type of brain tumor.
- The average survival rate for glioblastoma is about 15 months.
- There is no cure for most types of brain cancer, but research is ongoing to develop new treatments.
At St. Louis CyberKnife, we treat brain tumors with the CyberKnife® Robotic Radiosurgery System. CyberKnife painlessly delivers precise beams of high-dose radiation to brain tumors and lesions, without incisions, hospitalization, or long recovery time. CyberKnife is a non-invasive alternative to brain cancer surgery and can be used for brain tumors that are considered inoperable because of their location in the head, for those patients who cannot undergo brain cancer surgery due to their poor medical condition, or who refuse surgery.
More than any other cancer, brain tumors can have lasting and life-altering physical, cognitive, and psychological impacts on a patient’s life. The physicians and clinical teams at St. Louis CyberKnife are here to help. For more information about brain tumors and how we treat them with CyberKnife technology, please contact us today.