What Does ‘Non-Invasive’ Really Mean In Brain Treatment?

What Does ‘Non-Invasive’ Really Mean In Brain Treatment?

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with a brain tumour, then you are probably encountering many previously unfamiliar medical terms during discussions with your healthcare team. This can be a lot to take in, particularly at a time when you also have difficult or overwhelming practical and emotional issues to deal with.

While your medical team will make every effort to avoid jargon and communicate in plain language, it’s not always easy to take everything in straight away. One term that might be used to describe certain treatment options is “non-invasive.” But what exactly does this mean, particularly in relation to such a complex operation as brain surgery?

Here’s a closer look at what is meant by the term “non-invasive brain surgery.”

The meaning of “non-invasive” in medical terminology

In simple terms, a non-invasive procedure refers to a medical intervention that doesn’t involve breaking the skin (i.e. making an incision with a scalpel) or inserting an object into the body. There are some nuances to the definition, and in some cases you might hear the term “minimally invasive” used as an alternative where some small intrusion is needed.

Traditional brain surgery is an invasive procedure, because it involves physical intrusion into the brain. The skull must be opened to enable the neurosurgeon to reach the tumour or malformation and physically remove it. This might be considered the most effective course of action in some cases, but it carries significant risks and has a long recovery time.

However, there are possible treatment options, specifically radiotherapy and Gamma Knife radiosurgery, that do not involve any cutting or physical intrusion into the head or neck.

Non-invasive brain surgery: radiotherapy

Radiotherapy is the most common form of non-invasive brain surgery. It involves delivering radiation beams from an external machine that are targeted as closely as possible on the site of the tumour (it’s sometimes also referred to as “external beam radiotherapy”). The radiation destroys, shrinks or slows the growth of the tumour cells.

Standard radiotherapy is sometimes described as “fractionated” because it is delivered in fractions, or several small doses over a number of weeks. The patient will usually not need to stay overnight at the treatment centre, but will have to make daily journeys between Monday and Friday, with rest days at the weekend.

Non-invasive brain surgery: stereotactic radiotherapy

External beam radiotherapy and stereotactic techniques sit on a spectrum but stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT) is a more specialist type of radiosurgery that involves using very precisely focused beams of radiation at a higher intensity than standard radiosurgery.

This has the advantage of greater accuracy and shorter delivery times. Often, the patient will only require one treatment session and can travel home on the same day.

One of the most advanced forms of SRT is Gamma Knife surgery. Don’t be confused by the name: this doesn’t involve any knives. The term “knife” is used to convey the high degree of accuracy involved in targeting the tumour cells. Hundreds of highly focused beams are directed from multiple angles to converge at the target and address the tumour.

The sub-milimetre accuracy means that the healthy tissue surrounding the brain is untouched by radiation, significantly reducing the risk of side effects. The radiation beams are too weak to damage brain tissue on their own, but when they merge at the tumour site they are powerful enough to damage or slow down the growth of abnormal cells.

Who is best suited to non-invasive brain surgery?

Non-invasive brain surgery is usually considered for smaller tumours that are in an accessible part of the brain. It may not be suitable for:

• Large tumours that cause significant pressure on the brain
• Tumours that are spreading rapidly
• Tumours without clearly defined boundaries, such as gliomas
• Certain emergencies where rapid intervention is required

What are the advantages of non-invasive treatment?

If a non-invasive treatment such as Gamma Knife is recommended for you, there are several advantages that it can be useful to be aware of. These include:

• Lower risk: There’s no risk of bleeding or infection of wounds. There’s also a lower risk of complications and serious side effects compared to open surgery.
• Faster recovery: Most people can return to normal activities within a day or two. No general anaesthetic is required and you can usually go home the same day, although circumstances may differ by case.
• Less disruption:Because the treatment is outpatient, you won’t have to take long off work or away from your normal life. Most Gamma Knife patients won’t lose their hair as a result of the radiation.

Each patient will be treated on a case by case basis, and your medical team will provide you with expert guidance on your most suitable treatment options based on 3D scans, your medical history, the size and type of your tumour, and other factors.

If you’d like some more information about Gamma Knife surgery, please contact us today. 

Centres of Excellence for Stereotactic Radiosurgery treatment of complex Brain Tumours