Brain tumor treatment and diagnostics abroad

A brain tumor is a benign or malignant growth in the brain or its coverings. The tumor type, size and location decide whether it can be removed surgically or is better treated with radiosurgery, radiotherapy or drug therapy.

Below are clinics abroad that treat brain tumors: compare their capabilities, doctors and prices for diagnostics and surgery.

What is a brain tumor

A brain tumor is an abnormal growth of tissue inside the skull. Primary tumors arise from the cells of the brain or its coverings; secondary tumors (metastases) spread to the brain from other organs, most often from lung cancer, breast cancer, melanoma and kidney cancer. In adults, brain metastases are more common than primary brain tumors.

By behaviour, tumors are benign or malignant. Benign tumors grow slowly and have clear borders, but because of their location they can press on vital areas of the brain. Malignant tumors grow quickly, invade the surrounding tissue and can come back after treatment. The current WHO classification (2021) takes into account not only how the cells look under the microscope but also the tumor's molecular markers, which guide the choice of treatment.

Main types of brain tumors

• Gliomas — the most common primary malignant tumors, including astrocytomas, glioblastoma, oligodendrogliomas and ependymomas.
• Meningiomas — mostly benign tumors of the brain coverings, more frequent in older people.
• Pituitary adenomas — benign tumors that can disturb hormone balance and vision.
• Acoustic neuromas (vestibular schwannomas) — cause hearing loss, ringing in the ear and balance problems.
• Medulloblastomas — fast-growing tumors of the cerebellum, mainly in children.
• Brain metastases — secondary tumors from other organs.

Symptoms of a brain tumor

Symptoms depend on the size and location of the tumor:

• headache that is worse in the morning, nausea and vomiting — signs of raised pressure inside the skull;
• seizures appearing for the first time in adulthood;
• weakness or numbness in an arm or leg, speech problems;
• blurred or double vision, hearing loss;
• changes in behaviour, memory and concentration;
• hormonal disorders — with pituitary tumors.

These symptoms do not necessarily mean a tumor, but they are a reason for an urgent neurological examination.

Diagnosis

• Brain MRI with contrast — the main method for finding the tumor and planning surgery;
• CT — when MRI is not possible and to assess the skull bones;
• PET-CT — to find the primary tumor in metastatic disease and to tell recurrence from radiation changes;
• biopsy or removal of the tumor with histological and molecular testing — the only way to determine the tumor type for certain.

Treatment options abroad

• Microsurgical removal with neuronavigation, intraoperative MRI and fluorescence guidance; for tumors near speech and motor areas, awake craniotomy.
• Endoscopic surgery — for example, removal of pituitary tumors through the nose without incisions on the head.
• Radiosurgery — Gamma Knife and CyberKnife for small tumors, metastases and residual tumor after surgery.
• Radiotherapy, including proton therapy — after surgery or as the main treatment.
• Chemotherapy and targeted drugs — for high-grade gliomas and when specific molecular changes are present.

The plan is set by a multidisciplinary tumor board: neurosurgeon, oncologist, radiation oncologist and neuroradiologist. Age, general health and the type, size and location of the tumor are all taken into account.

Why patients choose treatment abroad

• neurosurgeons with extensive experience in complex brain operations;
• intraoperative MRI, radiosurgery and proton therapy;
• molecular profiling of the tumor that guides treatment;
• rehabilitation starting right after surgery.

See clinics and doctors in the neurosurgery and oncology sections.

Send a request with your MRI results — Clinics Direct coordinators will obtain a neurosurgeon's opinion and treatment prices from several clinics free of charge.