Optic Nerve Tumors
Optic nerve tumors can cause debilitating effects and result in total blindness if treatment is not completed. There are various treatment modalities that can be employed to eradicate these abnormal cell growths, and one of them is the Cyberknife treatment for optic nerve tumors which will be further discussed in this article.
There are Two Main Classifications of Optic Nerve Tumors:
Primary tumor – this occurs when the tumor is located on the optic nerves or on the meninges that covers it. It can be caused by either chemical or biological factors that alter the normal conditions of healthy cells. Primary tumors can further be classified into Optic Glioma or Optic Nerve Meningioma,
Secondary tumor – this is an abnormal cell growth that has resulted from another tumor, such as one that has developed in the brain or in nearby structures.
The symptoms of an optic nerve tumor are often difficult to diagnose because they can cause symptoms which resemble other diseases of the eyes. The final diagnosis is determined only after the patient has undergone a thorough examination and diagnostic studies. The most common manifestations of this condition are failing eyesight, drooping of the eyelids, double vision, and total blindness. In most cases, these symptoms are not presented at the early stage of the disease.
There are Three Major Treatment Modalities for Optic Nerve Tumors:
Chemotherapy uses drugs that will dissolve the tumor. It can either completely eradicate the tumor mass or just reduce its size. Although chemotherapy can be an effective treatment, its disadvantage is that it can be toxic to other cells as well. When it kills the abnormal cells, it also does the same to the healthy ones.
Surgery is highly recommended for large tumors, especially those that block the trail of eye fluids. This is a delicate procedure and it should be done by a highly-skilled eye surgeon. It should also be performed with strict aseptic techniques because most of the complications of eye surgeries are infections that were introduced through improper handling of operation tools.
Radiation therapy is what many eye doctors consider as the “ideal therapy,” not only because it removes the tumor in precise manner, but because it is safe to perform. It does not exterminate the healthy cells, and it does not injure the eye as with some surgery cases. One more advanced form of this treatment modality is the Cyberknife approach. It uses precise radiation beams to target the tumors with submillimeter accuracy. The Cyberknife treatment intervention allows healthy tissues and critical structures to be protected, minimal side effects, and increased comfort to the patient while targeting the cancer cells in a precise manner. Colorado cyberknife is one of the leading centers in the United States that utilizes Cyberknife treatment for optic nerve tumors.
Compassionate Care Travel Assistance Program:
Offered Exclusively By Colorado CyberKnife.
We are setting the standard for compassionate care.
Colorado CyberKnife will cover air travel and lodging within the cost of treatment.*
Our goal is to help patients focus on their education and clinical decision making with their Physician Specialists by alleviating the anxiety insurance and other financial factors can add to this trying time.
Please inquire about our Compassionate Care Travel Assistance Program.
*All patients with governmental insurance plans such as Medicare, Medicaid, TriCare, VA, DOD, etc excluded by law.
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