A brain tumor diagnosis can be a life-altering experience, often associated with the need for surgery. However, advances in medical technology have introduced several non-surgical treatment options for brain tumors. These methods can be effective alternatives, particularly for patients who cannot undergo surgery due to health risks, tumor location, or personal preference. Non-surgical treatments also offer potential benefits, including reduced recovery times and minimized impact on surrounding healthy tissue.

In this article, we’ll cover the primary brain tumor treatment without surgery, their benefits, and what patients should consider before choosing one.

1. Radiation Therapy

2. Chemotherapy

3. Targeted Therapy

4. Immunotherapy

5. Laser Ablation Therapy

6. Tumor-Treating Fields (TTF)

Each of these treatments has its own mechanisms, benefits, and potential side effects. Let’s explore each option in more detail.

Radiation therapy is a common non-surgical treatment that uses high-energy rays to target and destroy tumor cells. By focusing radiation on the tumor, doctors can shrink or even eliminate the tumor over time. There are different types of radiation therapy available:

• External Beam Radiation: This involves directing high-energy beams at the tumor from outside the body. It’s often spread out over several sessions to minimize side effects.

• Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS): Despite the term “surgery,” this is a non-invasive method that uses precise, high-dose radiation beams to target small tumors. Techniques like Gamma Knife and CyberKnife allow for extreme precision, limiting damage to surrounding brain tissue.

• Proton Therapy: Proton therapy uses protons instead of traditional radiation, allowing for more controlled energy release. It’s particularly useful for tumors near sensitive areas of the brain.

• Minimally invasive with no surgical cuts.

• Highly precise, reducing damage to surrounding tissue.

• Suitable for patients ineligible for surgery.

• May cause fatigue, nausea, and temporary hair loss at the treatment site.

• Can lead to long-term effects on brain function in some cases.

Chemotherapy involves the use of drugs to kill cancer cells and can be delivered orally or through injections. For brain tumors, certain chemotherapy drugs are specially designed to cross the blood-brain barrier, allowing them to reach the brain tumor effectively. Temozolomide (Temodar) is one of the commonly used chemotherapy drugs for brain tumors.