Procedure
Radiotherapy focuses high-energy X-rays on the tumor or remaining tumor cells inside the brain or the base of the skull in order to specifically kill them. Depending on the tumor situation, radiotherapy is either an equivalent alternative to surgery or is used when surgery is not possible.
Radiotherapy is carried out as an outpatient treatment, is non-invasive (i.e. does not require anesthesia) and can therefore be easily integrated into everyday private and professional life. Depending on the extent of the tumor, radiotherapy can be carried out in one or a few treatment sessions as radiosurgery for small tumor foci, or as fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy over several weeks for larger tumors. Close and personal support is a matter of course for us.
The Department of Radiation Oncology at the USZ uses only the most modern techniques for the precise irradiation of brain tumors with few side effects. They are supervised by nationally and internationally renowned experts in the research and treatment of these tumors: Prof. N. Andratschke and Dr. M. Brown.
For many patients, we are already offering tomorrow’s treatment today: in clinical trials, we are continuously working on improving the treatment of brain tumors to make it even more effective and tolerable. You can find an overview of the currently open studies here.
There are different types of benign brain tumors. The most common tumors that we assess and treat as radio-oncologists are meningiomas, vestibular schwannomas and pituitary adenomas.
In the following, we will describe radiotherapy for the different types of benign brain tumors.
Radio-oncological treatment of meningiomas
Meningiomas are tumors that originate in the meninges and can be divided into 3 pathological grades depending on their growth pattern and aggressiveness: Grade 1 benign, Grade II atypical, Grade III malignant.
The aim should always be to remove meningiomas as completely as possible.
Stereotactic radiotherapy is an excellent, non-invasive treatment option for grade I-II meningiomas. Stereotactic radiotherapy can very effectively prevent further tumor growth and also shrink the tumor in the long term, often in areas that are difficult to access for surgery and where vital structures (e.g. ocular nerves, pituitary gland) are located. Typically, radiation treatment is carried out over 5-6 weeks with daily treatment to enable optimal and gentle therapy. For very small tumors, stereotactic radiosurgery (in 1 – 5 sessions) is an option
Postoperative radiotherapy is always indicated for grade II meningiomas that could not be completely removed and for grade III meningiomas, as otherwise progressive growth or recurrence is very common.
Radiation treatment is carried out over 5.5-6 weeks with daily treatment in order to enable optimal and gentle therapy.
In clinical trials, we are continuously trying to improve the treatment of benign brain tumors in order to make it even more effective and tolerable. You can find an overview of the currently open studies here.
Radio-oncological treatment of vestibular schwannomas
Vestibular schwannomas are benign tumors that originate from the nerve sheath of the VIII cranial nerve (balance and auditory nerve). cranial nerves (balance and auditory nerves). Typical symptoms are often hearing loss, dizziness or balance problems. The treatment depends on various factors such as the size of the tumor, the patient’s age and concomitant illnesses as well as the patient’s wishes.
There are two equivalent treatment options that differ in their side effects, namely stereotactic radiotherapy and surgery. Stereotactic radiotherapy is non-invasive, does not require inpatient treatment and is very well tolerated. The chances of success for local tumor control are over 90%, and over 95% for very small tumors, making it comparable to surgery in terms of effectiveness.
It is important that an interdisciplinary discussion and assessment is carried out by experts from Radio-Oncology, Head and Neck Surgery and Neurosurgery and that all options are discussed with you. Stereotactic radiosurgery (1 session), stereotactic radiotherapy (up to 5 sessions) or fractionated stereotactic treatment (up to 30 sessions) is discussed in detail and individually at the Department of Radiation Oncology. Treatment with only 1-5 sessions is suitable for smaller tumors, typically smaller than 1.5 cm and without broad contact to the brain stem.
In clinical trials, we are continuously trying to improve the treatment of benign brain tumors in order to make it even more effective and tolerable. An overview of the currently open studies can be found here.
Radio-oncological treatment of pituitary adenomas
Pituitary adenomas are benign tumors that originate from the pituitary gland (hypophysis). A distinction is made between secretory (hormone-producing) and non-secretory (non-hormone-producing) pituitary adenomas. Pituitary adenomas are treated differently depending on their type (secretory or non-secretory), size and symptoms and are therefore always assessed and treated on an interdisciplinary basis. Experts from the fields of endocrinology, neurosurgery and radio-oncology will be present. Depending on the situation, stereotactic radiosurgery (up to 5 sessions) or fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy (up to 30 sessions) may be offered as an important part of the treatment concept. For tumors that cannot be operated on, stereotactic radiotherapy is a primary treatment option.
Stereotactic radiotherapy is a scientific and, in particular, clinical focus of our clinic.
In clinical trials, we are continuously trying to improve the treatment of benign brain tumors in order to make it even more effective and tolerable. You can find an overview of the currently open studies here.
